This monolithic three-story reinforced concrete structure was built in 1949, at a cost of $400,000, to be the 4-H Club Girls’ Dormitory. Transformation of the building to the current Cultural Center was done in time for the 1981 Fair and included installing new lighting, removing some interior walls, adding new display cases and painting the building inside and out. A glittering showcase for Iowa artisans, and a Fairtime residence for an impressive variety of artists, the Cultural Center is truly the center of art and contemporary style on the Fairgrounds. The Fair’s arts show is the state’s largest.
