07/30/2025
Today, July 30th, we celebrate the birthday of Jasper William (Bill) Fisher, born in 1913. A man whose extraordinary vision and generosity left a permanent mark on Marshalltown and far beyond.
Here at the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center, we are especially grateful. This building stands as a living tribute to Mr. Fisher’s belief that art should be beautiful, accessible, and available to all. His vision extended far beyond architecture, as it was always about connection, creativity, and community.
Bill Fisher led the Fisher Governor Company (now known as Emerson) to international success as President beginning in 1954, and his impact here at home is just as profound. His legacy lives on through:
🎨 Fisher Art Museum
🏫 Fisher Elementary School
🏨 Tallcorn Hotel renovations
🏛️ Original YM-YWCA
🎭 Fisher Theater in Ames
⚽ J.W. Fisher Memorial Soccer Complex
🎶 Community Concert Association
…and many other local contributions that continue to serve our community today.
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan honored Bill with the National Medal of Arts, naming him the Midwestern Medici, a fitting tribute to a man who believed deeply in the power of the arts to enrich lives.
We are proud to carry forward his legacy every day. Thank you, Bill, for believing in Marshalltown, in the arts, and in a community that grows stronger through shared culture.
