H.F. Magnuson Alumni House
Overview
Magnuson House has a fantastic history and is a great place for alumni events. The following history is taken from Diane Olson's "Idaho State University: A Centennial Chronicle," which was published in 2000:
The History of Magnuson House
In 1977, the student newspaper reported that "the ISU alums had purchased a haunted house." Actually, they had purchased the John Hood home on South 7th Avenue. It was built in 1916 for $11,000 by John Hood, a merchant who owned the Golden Rule, one of the early retail stores in Pocatello. When Hood decided to exit the retail business, he sold his store to a former co-worker named J.C. Penney, who already had a string of retail stores.
The house was designed by Palmer Rogers, an area resident who later moved to New York City and joined a firm which designed Madison Square Garden and the Washington Arch. The Hoods put a great deal of time and energy into the details of the house. You can still see the original fireplace, staircase, sterling silver light fixtures and chandeliers. One son, Emmett Hood, also pointed out that the horse chestnut tree in front of the house was a transplant from the family's first home on North Garfield.
The Hood family was well known for being involved in the activities of the campus and the community. Homecoming and graduation were often accompanied by functions hosted at the Hood home. Another little known fact is that some celebrations hosted by Mrs. Hood included baptisms. John Benoit, a Washington, D.C., alumnus, was one of those who was baptized in the living room. Mrs. Hood loved to entertain, and she enjoyed creating opportunities for merry get-togethers. The house was often the site for small dances.
The family owned the home through three generations. Lucy Hood Uhland, who was the second librarian at ISU, inherited the house after her father's death. She in turn sold it to her nephew, Emmett, in order to keep it in the family.
In 1969, the Hood house was purchased by Robert Dahlke, who tried to turn it into a boarding house. You can still see faint room numbers on the doors. Zoning problems caused Dahlke to sell the house in 1971 to Robin O'Neall, who made initial efforts to restore the house. O'Neall put the house on the market, and rumors circulated about converting it into a duplex. At the suggestion of Vern Lestrud, executive assistant to the president, the ISU Alumni Association became interested and scrambled to make an offer. On June 22, 1977, the association made an offer to purchase the Hood home with the intent of making it the ISU Alumni Association headquarters. For years, the alumni office had been squeezed into the Student Union. ISU Alumni Director Steve Guerber and the ISU Alumni Board of Directors needed more space for files, staff and entertaining.
However, it was an expensive endeavor. Fortunately, a V-12 alumnus, Harry F. Magnuson, generously made the down payment and guaranteed the note. In addition, he chaired a fundraiser to help with the purchase. Although the tribute could not match his generosity, the house was named in his honor.
Anyone who has ever renovated an older home knows it requires enormous personal and financial investment. Guerber and his staff plastered, painted and wallpapered the house before moving their offices to the second floor. Much of the early interior work was done solely by the staff, but it was also a campus and community effort. The main floor, which is for entertaining, was based on the winning entry of a home economics design competition supervised by ISU consumer economics instructor and design consultant, Esther Williams. Furnishings were primarily donations from friends, alumni and administrators. Myron "Barney" (former ISU President) and Barbara Coulters' grandfather clock sits in the dining room. The gaming table belonged to William E. "Bud" (former ISU President) and Polly Davis. Senator Theodore Turner's china set is displayed in the dining room, and Lucille Edwards Gasser's phonograph stands in the hallway.
When Jennifer Fisher assumed the Alumni Director's position, she made more renovations. Due to limited funds, Fisher and her staff did much of the work on the house, including the daily maintenance. Fisher's diligent eye for detail and reverence for its historical significance certainly boosted ISU's chances to place the Hood home on the National Historic Register. In addition, the alumni association received a special award, the Orchid Award, from the Idaho Historic Preservation Council for its efforts to restore the historic residence.
In 1985, the new alumni director was still doing windows and taking linens home to launder. However, a growing savings account helped Diane Olson and the Board of Directors begin some heavy repair work. They replaced the roof and the furnace, painted the brick, removed asbestos, rebuilt the chimneys, replaced sidewalks, replumbed the apartment, removed the upstairs showers, expanded the office space and started electrical work.
Availability for Functions
Use of the Alumni House is provided in order to generate goodwill among alumni, campus groups and donors.
Rental of the House is limited to alumni, campus groups and organizations which generate scholarships or other university donations. Due to zoning regulations, the H.F. Magnuson Alumni House cannot be rented for personal or commercial use. Student sponsored functions must be attended by at least one advisor.
We typically do not rent the house during Homecoming week. We only book one event a day.
Arrangements
The renting group must make their own food and refreshment arrangements. Because the H.F. Magnuson Alumni House is off-campus, the group has the option of using ISU catering services or other community catering services.
Alcoholic beverages (See "Term of Use" for further details).
Fees
A one-hundred dollar ($100.00) non-refundable rental charge is assessed campus groups, organizations and alumni to help defray maintenance costs and cleaning. Payment must be made upon receipt of invoice or paid in advance. Failure to pay will result in denial of future use of the house.
Terms of Use
Click Here to see a full version of the current Terms of Use.
