After months of planning and more than $1.8 million in fundraising, the Hormel Historic Home is prepared to begin its expansion.

Six project leaders were on hand to break ground Tuesday to make way for the newest addition to the home.

Demolition of the Carriage House was completed on March 7, and site preparation is ongoing. Foundations are expected to be poured within the next two weeks.

The expansion “is being received really well,” said Laura Helle, executive director of the home.

She added that there had been concerns over the demolishing of the carriage house, but that the response to the new expansion has been positive.

Funding from the project came primarily from a grant from the Hormel Foundation and the Austin community.

Special guest Colleen Weimer was present, representing the estate of Florence Hogan, who left a gift of $34,000 to the project.

The 7,000 square foot expansion will be open on Nov. 2, 2009 and will include a large banquet room and kitchen. Reservations are already being made for the opening week.

“We are really excited about this project,” Helle said.

The space will be available to be rented for gatherings and provide revenue for new educational programming. The original home is still open for business during the construction.

“Our space has changed quite a bit,” Helle said. “But our operations will not be interrupted.”

The idea for the expansion originally surfaced when the HHH was considering remodeling the kitchen in the main house.

However, the combination of the cost of the remodeling and the need for community gathering facilities prompted them to consider adding a new addition with a kitchen and community space.

Donations are still being accepted toward the building project. Donors are invited to mail gifts to the Hormel Historic Home at 208 Fourth Ave. N.W., Austin, MN 55912.

For more information or to make an online donation, visit the Hormel Historic Home Web site at www.hormelhistoric home.org.