Des Moines' historic house museums are unique but under-appreciated
Recent news coverage of the relocation of the Carl Weeks rare book collection from Salisbury House to Grinnell College highlights the problems facing one of the Des Moines metro’s underappreciated assets — a strip of unique historic house museums running east to west near Grand Avenue.
This collection is anchored on the east by Terrace Hill. Next comes Hoyt Sherman Place and then Salisbury House created by Carl Weeks. Going west into West Moines are two more treasures operated by the West Des Moines Historical Society: the Jordan House museum and the restored two-room Bennett school.
I have several thoughts about this collection of historic museums based on my experiences. These include 30-plus years with the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) at Salisbury House, a nearly 20-year tenure as an usher at Hoyt Sherman Place, 20 years of work with Iowa country schools while serving on the Preservation Iowa Board of Directors, a two-year member on the Terrace Hill Society Board of Directors, involvement for more than a decade with the Central Iowa Tourism Region.
First, they are under-appreciated. Historians and preservationists I have talked with are unable to cite examples of other cities in America where such a varied collection of house museums exists. I like to discuss this topic with people who come early to attend events at Hoyt Sherman Place. Many of them have not visited any of these Des Moines area venues. Some said they remember visiting Salisbury House as a child. A few said they had gone to Terrace Hill during Christmas. Many said they would like to visit these places and bring their children.
Second, each of these Des Moines house museums has unique challenges. Maintaining historic buildings is never easy. Strong leaders who can recruit and inspire others to get involved is a must. Funding is always a problem. Effective marketing that will connect with audiences ranging from children to seniors is required. Building and maintaining coalitions with diverse interests who can provide specialized support services is required.
Connecting with schools and teachers to get young students and older students involved would help. Older students could undertake research to help document museum history and develop new marketing approaches. Working with the numerous college and universities in the Des Moines area to get classes to adopt a museum to improve programs and attendance could produce positive results.
“Catch Des Moines” is working hard with a broad range of central Iowa businesses and tourist attractions to market Des Moines and make this region a more attractive tourist destination. Perhaps meetings could be held with house museum representatives to help them develop a coordinated marketing plan.
The Central Iowa Tourism region publishes an attractive, well-illustrated travel guide, updated each year. It would be willing to work with the Des Moines area house museums to help them better market their facilities. This could be done on a cost-sharing, coordinated basis to benefit each museum.
One museum has produced some positive results in recent years: Hoyt Sherman Place. New leadership, Robert Warren, has produced many positive changes. Finding and restoring a historic painting worth millions has helped. But he has done other things that have paid dividends. This includes bringing to Des Moines a wide variety of entertainers who enjoy performing in a well-maintained, historic theater.
Another reason the Des Moines area house museums are under-appreciated is a lack of history education that could help adults and children better understand the significance of buildings near their homes.
Salisbury House does have a well-written history with beautiful photography. This 140-page book created by Laura Sadowsky could serve as a model for the other Des Moines historic house museums.
A new venture underway that has much potential to help increase awareness and visits to the Des Moines area historic buildings is original acrylic and watercolor paintings by artist Justin G. Young. He has created a series of paintings of historic buildings in central Iowa. Young is considering producing a book that would feature historic buildings in various seasonal settings. If this type of book is produced, it could be sold at each of the area house museums. It could help open the door for others with specialized talents to help our historic house museums.
Even better, individuals who care about any of these buildings could make contact with one of these museums and ask what they could do to help.
Bill Sherman of Des Moines is a former member of the State Historical Society of Iowa’s board of trustees. He is a retired Iowa State Education Association official. Contact: wsherman41@gmail.com.
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