Reprinted with permission from the Preston Citizen.

LDS Foundation Makes Pledge
Necia P. Seamons, Citizen staff writer

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foundation has joined several other people and organizations who recognize the value of the Oneida Stake Academy in Preston, Idaho. It has made a financial contribution to help move the academy to a new site.

A separate entity, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had already agreed that if the building can be moved and restored, it would donate land in the Preston Benson Park as a new location for the 113 year-old academy.

"We are grateful for the support of the men who approved this contribution," said Fred Woods, executive director of the Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, who applied for the grant.

The academy was built by local pioneers in response to educational needs of their children. Notable graduates of its program were LDS presidents Ezra Taft Benson and Harold B. Lee, who were classmates, and famed FBI agent, Samuel Cowley. Benson was also the United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1952 to 1961.

Not only is it of great historical value, but it is of unique architectural design. It was built under the direction of John Nuffer, a castle builder from Germany, in the late 19th Century.

The grant from the LDS Foundation will bring the amount of money raised for the project to just over a $650,000. Preliminary bids placed the cost of moving the building at $1.2 million and $1.3 million to restore it for use.

The academy must be moved from its present location behind Preston High School to make way for new school construction. If it is not moved this summer, the school district will raze the academy to make room for a new high school cafeteria and library.

To help raise funds still needed to save the academy from the wrecking ball, interested persons can contact Woods at 801-607-1073, or any member of the Friends of the Academy: Doug West, Elliott Larsen, Leo Geddes, Joseph Linton, Beverly Hart, Lynn Womack, Dave Mitchell, Necia Seamons, Debbie Heaton, Lynene Larsen, and Dav Frew, all of Preston.

Donations may be sent to Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, P.O. Box 45000, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84145.

Pledges may be sent to Mormon Historic Sites Foundation - Oneida Stake Academy, P.O. Box 555, Preston, Idaho 83263.