Terrace Hill is the official residence of Iowa's governors.

From 1846 -- the year Iowa became a state -- until 1947, no official residence was provided for Iowa's governors, except for Governor William L. Harding.

In 1947, the state purchased an old colonial-style house to serve as the official governor's home.

By 1970, the home no longer served the increasing needs of the state as a place to host visiting dignitaries. Amid talk of building a new governor's home, the Hubbell family offered to give Terrace Hill -- the grandest home in Iowa -- to the state for use as an official residence for the Governor and the First Family.

Governor Robert D. Ray, First Lady Billie Ray, and their three daughters, Randi, LuAnn and Vicki, were the "first" First Family to move into Terrace Hill. When they did in 1977, the third floor was still unfinished. Terrace Hill would be their home for the next six years.

The second First Family to live at Terrace Hill was that of Governor Terry E. Branstad and First Lady Chris Branstad. They raised a daughter, Allison, and two sons, Eric and Marcus, there over the 16 years it served as their home.

From 1999–2007, the family of Governor Thomas J. Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack called Terrace Hill "home." Their two sons, Jess and Doug, were away at college.

Today Terrace Hill is the home of Iowa Governor Chet Culver, First Lady Mari Culver and the First Family.