Knapp Chair

Object NameChair

Datec. 1880s

MediumWood and fabric

Dimensions44 × 24 × 28 in. (111.8 × 61 × 71.1 cm)

ClassificationsFurniture

Credit LineGift of Mary Jean Stoddard Fowler. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number73.5.1

Status

On view

Collections

Label TextFrom the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: Although few items original to the Farm House have made their way back, one exception includes a carved Queen Anne velvet upholstered chair used by Seaman Knapp during his residency donated by the granddaughter of Mary and Seaman Knapp. As the ﬁrst professor of agriculture at Iowa State, Knapp and his family lived in the house from 1880 to 1885, during which he became the second president of Iowa Agricultural College (IAC). Seaman Knapp was one of the most influential members of the college faculty and his support of scientific breeding and demonstration plots resulted in federal legislation to fund experiment stations at land-grant colleges (the Hatch Act). This was a favorite boyhood chair of Knapp’s son Herman. Herman was seventeen when his family moved into the Farm House, and he soon began his education at IAC in 1880. In 1883, Herman was appointed deputy treasurer of IAC before graduating in November with a bachelor’s degree in scientific agriculture. In 1885, he was appointed to assistant professor of agriculture, then placed in charge of the entire department the following year. Two years later, Herman Knapp was appointed treasurer, registrar, and superintendent of the bookstore in addition to his duties in the agriculture department. From 1926-1927, he was acting president of Iowa State College until the appointment of President Raymond Hughes. On July 1, 1933, he relinquished his duties as business manager. Iowa State celebrated Herman Knapp Day on November 19, 1933, in honor of his fifty years of service to the institution.

Locations