Edmondson House

A few shots from what is becoming our annual documentary shoot in Arkansas. Many thanks to Rev. Doug Reed at Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Scarlett Basore at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, Jon Formanek and Andy Whitmore at the Orval and Alta Faubus house in Huntsville, Sandy Edwards, Dale Carpenter, and Larry Foley from the University of Arkansas, Lori Santa-Rita from Jennings + Santa-Rita Architects. And a special and heartfelt thanks to Dave McKee, who has become the star of our show.

We received some very sad news last week. Jimmy Finch, the master builder of the Edmondson House, passed away suddenly on Thursday. We are deeply saddened by his loss. Our heart goes out to his devoted wife Kathy, his daughters, his grandchildren, and all his friends and family. We are grateful to have known Jimmy, even for just a little while. He was an extraordinary man who lived an accomplished life. Thank you Jimmy, for everything.

James Franklin Finch - View Obituary & Service Information Share Memories and Support the Family.

A heartfelt thank you from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design to the daughters of Fay and Gus Jones, Cami and Janice, for their ongoing generosity and support.

As the year comes to a close, we want to look back at some of the highlights of 2025 in the Fay Jones School. ⏮️

Today, we want to recognize the extraordinary generosity of U of A alumna Jean Cameron “Cami” Jones, and the powerful way she chose to honor the legacy of her parents, Fay and Gus Jones.

Cami committed a $500,000 planned gift to establish the Fay and Gus Jones Legacy Endowment in Architecture and Design, which will support publications, exhibitions and events that celebrate and carry forward the legacy of our school’s namesake, Fay Jones.

In making this gift, Cami shared that she hoped to honor both the visionary architect her father was and the remarkable presence her mother was — the steady force who kept the Jones household running, raised two daughters and supported Fay’s work in immeasurable ways. Cami wants future generations to understand the full story: a family devoted to creativity, education and the culture of Arkansas.

Cami and her sister, Janis Jones, also donated one of the most significant artifacts in our school’s history: the 1990 AIA Gold medal awarded to Fay Jones, the highest honor the American Institute of Architects bestows. This extraordinary gift ensures that students will be able to encounter, firsthand, a piece of architectural history that continues to shape the field today.

We are deeply grateful to Cami and Janis for their commitment to preserving the legacy of Fay and Gus Jones — a legacy that has shaped not only our school, but the broader architectural landscape of Arkansas and beyond. Their generosity ensures that the stories, values and vision of this remarkable family will continue to guide and inspire the designers and thinkers who follow.

Robert Ivy, writer, architect, educator, and author of the Fay Jones book, visits the Edmondson House.

Step into the 1956 home of Fay Jones and his wife Mary Elizabeth "Gus" Jones, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Many thanks to Greg Herman who very generously shared his time and knowledge with us last Spring. Along with the interview, we were able to 3D scan the entire house, which is a valuable tool for cultural heritage documentation. Since this video was recorded, the home has been selected as part of the Iconic Houses Network.

Fay & Gus Jones House - Tour and History Tour of home of architect E. Fay Jones, FAIA and his wife Mary Elizabeth "Gus" Jones, built in 1956 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Learn about the past, present,...

Can architecture heal a broken society? Peter B. MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, and the lead commissioner of “Porch,” calls it “a platform for civic engagement and community building.”

At the Architecture Biennale, the U.S. Says ‘Come Sit by Me’ (Gift Article) To heal a nation, the U.S. Pavilion in Venice showcases the surprising permutations of the porch.

Interview excerpt with master builder Jimmy Finch and his wife Kathy.

Edmondson House - Interview excerpt with builder Jimmy Finch and his wife Kathy Finch Recorded September 3, 2023 in Forrest City, Arkansas. Learn more about the Edmondson House documentary project at https://edmondsonhouse.com