A-State has announced what they plan to do with Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s donation toward Johnny Cash’s Boyhood Home, a designated Arkansas State University Heritage Site.

Hutchinson previously announced his commitment of $100,000 from the general discretionary account at “An Evening with Rosanne Cash,” a fundraiser held at the Governor’s Mansion March 3.

Hutchinson’s endowment will go toward Arkansas State University’s Heritage Sites program and the continuing Johnny Cash Boyhood Home project.

“We appreciate the governor’s understanding of the value of Arkansas heritage and history. We have benefited from the work and support of many people along the way including other members of the Cash family,” A-State Chancellor Tim Hudson stated at the event.

The funds will go toward additional outbuildings at the Dyess location, including moving and refurbishing existing colony structures and acquiring materials from original Dyess colony buildings for use in reconstruction.

A barn will be built and adapted on the interior for use as classroom, office, conference and special event space.

“I hope everyone will go visit the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess. It’s an amazing place. People from all over the world come to that place to see this icon of American culture and how he lived and how he developed his talent to make him so loved and famous around the world,” Hudson said.

A-State officials estimate the cost of these projects to be around $500,000, with additional supplementary funding from private donors or grants.

Work is set to begin immediately on the smaller structures. Larger construction, including the barn, will depend on the success of the private funds raised.