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	The Wood's House

Wood's House -- Long haven for independent thinking

Built in 1912 for a Storm Lake banker, 415 College Avenue was purchased within two years by Verne and Edith Wood. Descendents of Reverend Scott Campbell, the family was a part of early pioneer immigration to the area. Verne Wood was a board member of the Storm Lake Schools, where Edith was a teacher, as well as being local farmers. Here in what is now “Wood’s House” they raised their four children. 

Harold, the eldest, returned to live in “Wood’s House” from 1968-1994. It is through his good will that we are able to use this house. Harold graduated from Buena Vista University, going on to do graduate work at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He received a PhD, doing his thesis on “William James’ Philosophy of Education”. He taught for some years at what is now the University of Nebraska in Omaha.  

	Mr. Harold Wood

Treasuring history and knowledge, Harold filled “Wood’s House” with books, building a library of over 4,000 volumes. A gentle professor at heart, Dr. Wood never found any idea not meriting consideration, and spent his last years in Wood’s House rescuing cast-off books. He remained for many years a familiar sight across the BV campus and at numerous events.

We at Wood’s House have attempted to retain the spirit that Harold infused in this dwelling. The house has many of the original books from Harold’s collection, some available downstairs for anyone wishing to sit down and read a great book. We have again filled the house with plants and rebuilt the squirrel feeder in the tree out front, welcoming back “Woody” and all the descendants of the squirrels tamed by the Wood’s family. It was Harold’s greatest fear that the Wood’s House would be acquired by the college only to be razed and replaced by a parking lot. Instead it has become our dream, as well as Harold’s, that the House will continue to welcome the inquiring minds and seekers after wisdom of generations to come.

	Peter Steinfeld With Mr. Wood

On November 9, 2000 this dream began to come true, as the Wood’s family joined friends of Wood’s House to celebrate the official opening of the House, now holding offices of numerous Buena Vista University professors, as well as informal meeting areas available to the BV community.

Harold Wood is a resident at Spectra Health Care just outside Storm Lake. He is a warm and genial host who welcomes visitors from the BV community. If you would like to call, write, or visit Harold, contact Peter Steinfeld for more details.