The Hormel Historic Home has selected Austin-based Joseph Company for the planned expansion project.

The HHH Board of Trustees, a group of volunteers, began the selection process in September. Working with architect Kane and Johnson, the group reviewed qualifications of seven contractors and interviewed four contractors.

“We are thrilled to be working with Carter Wagner and the Joseph Company,” Laura Helle, HHH executive director. “We worked hard to make sure that our donor’s dollars will be well spent and that our historic property will be respected and preserved. We have confidence that the Joseph Company is the right choice for our project.”

More than $62,000 has been raised in the first four weeks of the Hormel Historic Home Expansion Capital Campaign.

More than 130 households or businesses have supported the project with gifts. The goal of the campaign is to raise a total of $340,000.

The 7,000 square-foot expansion will be built directly to the east and directly to the west of the current Carriage House. The Austin Medical Center donated a parcel of land from the Austin Eye Clinic site to the HHH to make the project possible.

The original 1871 home and the Peace Garden will not be disturbed.

New construction includes a banquet room seating 200 people, which can also be divided with collapsible walls into three meeting rooms and a commercial kitchen for on-site food preparation and cooking classes.

The space will meet community need for event rental space and will bring in revenue to support new educational programming.

Donors are invited to mail gifts to the Hormel Historic Home at 208 4th Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912. For more information or to make an online donation, visit the Hormel Historic Home Web site at www.hormelhistorichome.org.

The Hormel Historic Home, formerly known as the Austin YWCA, is an independent 501(c)3 organization.

The mission of the Hormel Historic Home is to preserve the history, accomplishments and values of the George A. and Lillian Hormel Family.