The effort to save a Texas Tech University iconic landmark, the Dairy Barn, steadfastly continues on track. College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources officials announced today (Oct. 24) that they had passed their targeted fundraising goal of $1.3 million.

"This generous outpouring of support is a strong endorsement of the long-term vision and direction for CASNR and its historic legacy buildings like the Dairy Barn," said CASNR Dean William Brown.

Built in 1926, the state-of-the-art structure at the time was designed by Fort Worth architect Wyatt Hedrick. By 1931, the university's Dairy Manufactures Department, was self-supporting, furnishing milk and ice cream to campus cafeterias and the Lubbock community.

The college herd, comprised of cattle bought by or donated to the college, swelled beyond the barn's capacity by 1935. As a solution, students were asked to remove their own cattle from the barn and the era of tuition payments through milk sales came to an end. The facility continued to serve as an educational site for students interested in the industry until it was abandoned in 1964 when dairy operations were moved to another location.

Campus planners razed the dairy manufacturing addition a year later to make way for new facilities, and the historic barn sat quietly ignored. Now, it's no longer on the sidelines.

With its prime location in the heart of the campus, the Dairy Barn is considered an ideal collaborative and conference space for Texas Tech students, faculty, staff and alumni, said Jane Piercy, CASNR's Director of Development and External Relations. Proposed renovations largely focus on securing and updating the historical building's interior, she said. Included in the plans are creation of two large meeting areas on the barn's first floor and loft spaces, as well as the addition of several offices in what were originally livestock stalls.

"I'm immensely grateful to those friends who epitomize the CASNR spirit through their generosity," Piercy said. "They've helped us get where we are today."

Looking ahead, Piercy noted that additional giving opportunities related to the restoration of the Dairy Barn will be available, including purchase of memorial bricks for a patio adjacent to the building and a donor wall inside the facility.

At a meeting in August, the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents approved the barn's design concept and an initial budget to provide planning and design services with an anticipated project budget of $2.6 million.

Preliminary approval by the board included project concept; project planning budget; and design professional Stage 1 agreement to provide the following pre-construction services that include programming phase; schematic design phase; statement of probable cost; and project schedule.

According to officials, design of a complete interior package is required, along with mechanical, electrical, lighting, plumbing, fire suppression, security, stairs, and elevator to support the renovation. Asbestos materials have been abated, and the existing silo is not a part of the renovation project.

CONTACT: Jane Piercy, Director of Development and External Relations, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2802 or jane.piercy@ttu.edu

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