William C. Knapp donated a generous $1 million, the largest gift in Fair history, to restore the 86-year-old Varied Industries Building. As the renovation was estimated to cost around $7.5 million, the Iowa Legislature appropriated $10 million to the project.

Renovations included repainting, replacing windows and the roof, updating restrooms and adding heat and air for year-round use. The 115,000 square foot building is now one of the largest four-season exhibition halls in the Midwest.

Since its completion for the 2001 Iowa State Fair, hundreds of thousands of visitors have walked through the new building.

The new William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building.	The new building in its final stages of construction.

Brick and roof work was needed on the old structure.

The open building before renovations.

Check back for updates on our current Iowa State Fair renovation and preservation efforts, or call 1-800-450-3732 to find out how you can get involved.