The museum project was prompted by two initial contributions of $300,000 by Des Moines businessmen Richard L. Easter and Richard O. Jacobson. Phase I included the construction of Richard O. Jacobson Hall, a climate-controlled facility to house an interactive exhibit detailing the Fair since its inception in 1854. The exhibit, Phase II of the project, was made possible by a generous $400,000 gift by Iowa natives Ronald and Margaret Kenyon. The Ronald and Margaret Kenyon Gallery debuted at the 2005 Iowa State Fair with exciting and innovative displays including a livestock judging contest, a thrilling train crash and a revolving carousel sporting the evolution of Fair fashions.
Phase III renovation to the original State Fair Museum was prompted by a $300,000 commitment by Chuck and Sally Smith of Atlanta, Georgia. These improvements included a new basement, as well as an addition to the original structure containing an elevator, a restroom, storage room, work room and exhibit rooms on both the first and second levels. Additional contributions from the late Emery Burchett, Dick and Sherry Easter, Rod and Connie French, Ronald and Margaret Kenyon and Madelyn Levitt made the completion of this building project possible.
In 2007, exterior and interior designs of the Ralph H. Deets Historical Museum were completed, and further interior design is planned for the future. Additional improvements include providing archival quality storage and properly preserving the museum’s collection of artifacts; funds are still needed to bring this project to completion.
To learn more about the Richard L. Easter Museum Complex and how you can help preserve over 150 years of history, take a look at the Blue Ribbon Foundation's giving program the 1854 Society.
Gallery
![](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/cover%20photo_1.jpg?itok=13YOKDN0)
![Ground breaking for the new museum complex in August 2003 Ground breaking for the new museum complex in August 2003](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%201%208.2003.jpg?itok=HZYFbuK1)
![Inside the newly built Jacobson Hall in July of 2004 Inside the newly built Jacobson Hall in July of 2004](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%203%207.2004.jpg?itok=0YjXD3Dc)
![Interactive exhibits inside the new museum Interactive exhibits inside the new museum](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%204.jpg?itok=M2wYIndz)
![Interactive exhibits inside the new museum Interactive exhibits inside the new museum](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%205.jpg?itok=VAqWEsCM)
![Interactive exhibits inside the new museum Interactive exhibits inside the new museum](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%206.jpg?itok=kzZ1cC4G)
![Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Richard L. Easter Museum Complex and the Richard O. Jacobson Hall in August 2004 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Richard L. Easter Museum Complex and the Richard O. Jacobson Hall in August 2004](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%207%208.2004.jpg?itok=V5qULMOK)
![Museum Complex Museum Complex](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%208.jpg?itok=g1_Yqwby)
![Completed exterior of Jacobson Hall Completed exterior of Jacobson Hall](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/NM%209.jpg?itok=Hz3fiw-e)
![The old State Fair Museum before renovations The old State Fair Museum before renovations](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%201.jpg?itok=cSct-KRt)
![South side of the museum before renovations South side of the museum before renovations](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%202.jpg?itok=EFMMlsQj)
![Construction for the an addition of an elevator in January 2007 Construction for the an addition of an elevator in January 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%204%201.2007.jpg?itok=CTdspkM5)
![New windows and insulation in February 2007 New windows and insulation in February 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%205%202.2007.jpg?itok=WClyfCeP)
![Construction progress in February 2007 Construction progress in February 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%206%202.2007.jpg?itok=OmlKz72K)
![February 2007 roof and window work February 2007 roof and window work](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%207%202.2007.jpg?itok=14-pzr-2)
![Interior progress in March 2007 Interior progress in March 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%208%203.2007.jpg?itok=TvgVWWb6)
![Working in the elevator shaft - March 2007 Working in the elevator shaft - March 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%209%203.2007.jpg?itok=JBwTLwAC)
![Office space in the newly added basement - March 2007 Office space in the newly added basement - March 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%2010%203.2007.jpg?itok=4o0kcx5h)
![A new porch railing was added in June 2007 A new porch railing was added in June 2007](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%2011%206.2007.jpg?itok=_Cno7fdm)
![June 2007 - new front staircase into the museum June 2007 - new front staircase into the museum](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%2012%206.2007.jpg?itok=D8ViR002)
![The newly renovated Ralph H. Deets Historical Museum opened its doors to the public at the 2007 Iowa State Fair The newly renovated Ralph H. Deets Historical Museum opened its doors to the public at the 2007 Iowa State Fair](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%2013.jpg?itok=Z370W-MV)
![Official ribbon cutting ceremony at the 2007 Iowa State Fair Official ribbon cutting ceremony at the 2007 Iowa State Fair](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%2014%208.2007.jpg?itok=gWWMnwri)
![Completed Ralph H. Deets Historical Museum Completed Ralph H. Deets Historical Museum](https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery/public/2023-09/OM%2015.jpg?itok=0efFPlRZ)