Foundation Celebrates 140th Anniversary of Terrace Hill with Time- Capsule Event Saturday October 17

October 14, 2009

The Terrace Hill Foundation will celebrate the 140th anniversary of Terrace Hill with a ceremonial time-capsule event on Saturday, October 17 at 10:00 a.m. The event is free, but reservations are suggested. Please call 515-280-3450. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CORRECT DATE AND TIME IS SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH AT 10 AM.

Speakers at the event will include Jerome Thompson, former administrator of Terrace Hill and currently Interim Administrator at the State Historical Society of Iowa. Thompson is also a member of the Terrace Hill Society.

Other speakers at the event will include Brian Browning, current administrator of Terrace Hill; Jim Boyt, Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance board member; and Jerry Mathiasen, Terrace Hill Foundation board member from Council Bluffs.

Terrace Hill is a National Historic Landmark to be treasured by all Iowans, said Jerry Mathiasen. As we celebrate its 140th anniversary and look to its 150th, citizens need to understand that Terrace Hill is theirs, and their help is needed in facing the challenges of preserving it, he added. Mathiasen, who is an executive with the Iowa West Foundation, explained that one of those challenges is to explain that Terrace Hill is only partially funded by state government. Donations from citizens, as well as the private and nonprofit sectors, are critical to its preservation for future generations, he stated.

Construction of Terrace Hill began in 1866, but took several years to complete. Benjamin Franklin Allen, Iowas first millionaire, moved into Terrace Hill in 1869. Frederick Marion Hubbell purchased the home in 1884, and the Hubbell family continued to live in the home until 1957. In 1971, the Hubbell family donated the home to the State of Iowa for use as the official Iowa Governors Residence. Four governors two of each major party have lived in the private quarters on the third floor.

The Terrace Hill Foundations mission is to provide the resources for the restoration, maintenance and development of Terrace Hill as a premier National Historic Landmark and as an educational and cultural center for current and future generations.

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