From Brownfield’s Nebraska-based farm broadcaster Ken Anderson:

 I love state the tradition of state fairs. I also love historic old buildings. So I was happy to hear that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has found a way to preserve—at least the exterior—of the 99-year old Industrial Arts Building located on the former state fairgrounds in Lincoln.

The Nebraska State Fair relocated to Grand Island in 2010 and the university is in the process of converting the former fairgrounds site in Lincoln into a new research and technology park called Innovation Campus. UNL officials—who originally wanted to tear down the old Industrial Arts Building—have announced a plan for renovation of the structure to house research space and mechanical equipment on the first floor and greenhouse space on the second floor.

Although I didn’t actually grow up with the Industrial Arts building, I was hooked the very first time I saw it in 1977. After reading about its long history—which included serving as an aircraft assembly plant—I was hopeful that the university would find some way to keep it alive.

Some things are just worth keeping around. (Hope our kids feel that way about me in about 30 years.)

Here’s a link to a web site dedicated to saving the Industrial Arts Building.