Three Trails Cottages of Independence has launched an Indiegogo campaign to help restore the Independence home where Hollywood legend Ginger Rogers was born.

The company, owned by Marge and Gene Padgitt of Independence, will take ownership of the old house located at 100 W. Moore St. on Feb. 29. Three Trails Cottages plans to improve the site and turn it into a museum.

The home was designated as a Historic Landmark property by the City of Independence in 2003. Ginger Rogers was born in a tiny room in the house on July 16, 1911. Rogers visited Independence several times during her Hollywood career, and she met with President Truman during her stay in 1964. For her 83rd birthday celebration in 1994, Rogers once again visited her birth home in Independence at the request of Mayor Ron Stewart for “Ginger Rogers Day.”

Three Trails Cottages buys older homes, restores them to their original condition and then resells or rents them.

“We think it is important to keep our history rather than tearing down perfectly good older houses and replacing them,” said Marge Padgitt. “We prefer older houses to new construction. The older houses were, frankly, just built better and have more charm.”

Plans for the house include rebuilding the brick chimney, adding period antique furniture and décor, improving landscaping, installing museum pieces or replicas, and adding a small parking lot on the side and back of the building. Official approval will be needed in order to accomplish these goals, but the Padgitts are hopeful that the city will see the value in the location as a museum and approve the plans.

Three Trails Cottages says contributors may buy a brick or tile with a name on it, which will be used in the landscaping. Instead of cash, the Padgitts say they’d prefer donations to the museum of period memorabilia or objects once owned by Ginger Rogers.