Terrace Hill facts for kids
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Terrace Hill
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Terrace Hill in 2019
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 Location in Iowa
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2300 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa |
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| Area | 8 acres (3.2 ha) |
| Built | 1866–1869 |
| Architect | William W. Boyington, Jacob Weidenmann, JT Elletson |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 72000480 (NRHP) 03001036 (NHL) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 14, 1972 |
| Designated NHL | July 31, 2003 |
Terrace Hill is a very special building in Des Moines, Iowa. It's the official home of the governor of Iowa, who is like the state's leader. People also call it the Hubbell Mansion or the Iowa Governor's Mansion. This grand house is located at 2300 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.
Terrace Hill is a great example of a building style called Second Empire. It's a huge house, about 18,000 square feet in size. It sits on a hill, giving it a great view of downtown Des Moines. The house even has a 90-foot tall tower! Because of its unique design, Terrace Hill was named a National Historic Landmark in 2003.
Contents
History of Terrace Hill
Terrace Hill was built by Benjamin Franklin Allen. He was the first millionaire in Iowa. He wanted a beautiful home for his family. The architect who designed it was William Boyington from Chicago.
Building the Mansion
Construction on Terrace Hill started in 1866. It was finished three years later, in 1869. The whole project cost about $250,000. This included the main house, a carriage house, all the furniture, and about 30 acres of land.
For its time, the house had very modern features. It had hot and cold running water. It also had indoor bathrooms and even an elevator! Gas lights were used to light up the rooms.
Location and New Owners
When Terrace Hill was first built, it was on the very edge of Des Moines. But over time, the city grew bigger and spread out. Now, Terrace Hill is almost in the middle of the city.
In 1884, a local businessman named F.M. Hubbell bought the mansion. He purchased it from Benjamin Franklin Allen for $60,000.
Becoming the Governor's Home
For many years, Iowa's governors did not have an official home. This changed in 1947 when the state bought an old house for the governor. But by 1970, a new home was needed. It had to be big enough for the governor's family and for hosting important guests.
The Hubbell family, who owned Terrace Hill, offered their home to the state. They wanted it to be the new residence for the governor. In the fall of 1976, Robert D. Ray became the first governor to live in Terrace Hill. He moved in with his wife and three daughters.
Since then, several governors have lived at Terrace Hill. These include Terry Branstad, Tom Vilsack, Chet Culver, and Kim Reynolds. Governor Reynolds has lived there since 2017.
Design and Rooms
Terrace Hill is located at 2300 Grand Avenue. When visitors come for a tour, they usually start at the Carriage House. This building is now used as a welcome area. It also has displays about the Hubbell family, who used to own the house.
First Floor: Formal Areas
The first floor of Terrace Hill is designed for formal events. These rooms were often used to welcome important guests. This tradition continues today.
- Vestibule: This is the entry area. Long ago, a servant would greet guests here. The doors leading into the house are very heavy, weighing over 200 pounds each.
- Reception Room: Guests would wait here while their arrival was announced. The host or hostess would then greet them in this room.
- Drawing Room: This room was once used for family weddings and funerals. Today, it hosts important events, like entertaining guests from other countries. It has a large crystal chandelier and beautiful furniture.
- Music Room: This room was used for entertainment. Young women would often play music here. It has a special piano from 1869, the same year the house was finished.
- Dining Room: The previous owners used this room for fancy dinners. Today, it's still used for state dinners and receptions. Food is prepared in the kitchen, which is in the basement.
- Library: This was a gathering place for the men of the house. It was also where books and knowledge were kept. The room has F. M. Hubbell's leather chair, which is low to the floor because he was not very tall.
- Sitting Room: This room was used as the family room in earlier times.
All these rooms are connected by the main hall. The ceilings in the hall are very tall, about 14.5 feet high. The hall also has special carpets and interesting portraits. Outside, there is a large porch overlooking downtown. It is still used for parties sometimes.
Second Floor: Offices and Bedrooms
At the end of the main hall on the first floor, there is a grand staircase. It leads up to the second floor.
- Stained Glass Window: On the landing between the first and second floors, there is a huge stained glass window. It is often called a "garden in glass." This window is 9 by 13 feet and fills the staircase with colorful light. F. M. Hubbell added this window between 1884 and 1890.
After the landing, the staircase splits into two paths to the second floor. Originally, this floor had most of the family's bedrooms. Now, the governor's formal office is on the second floor. Their main working office is at the Capitol building. The First Gentleman's office is also on the second floor. This office is usually not part of tours. It is used for writing speeches and planning events.
Third Floor and Basement
The Governor of Iowa and their family live in a private apartment on the third floor. This floor is not open for public tours.
The basement is also not open to the public. The kitchen there prepares meals for special events. The basement also has a security office for the Iowa State Patrol. Troopers provide 24/7 protection for the governor and Terrace Hill.
Tour Information
You can take a guided tour of Terrace Hill. Tours are available Tuesdays through Saturdays. They start at 10:30 am and 12:00 pm. You need to make a reservation at least 48 hours in advance. The touring season runs from March through December.
See also
