| | WELCOME HOME!2007 With the arrival of the Culvers in early 2007, Terrace Hill welcomed its fourth first family. The family of four moved from their West Des Moines home into 2300 Grand after a flurry of renovations to the third-floor private residence.
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| | Treasures in Your Attic—Antiques Evaluation Sponsored by the Terrace Hill SocietyBy PAM ALVORD 2007 You look lovingly at the item that has been in your family for generations. You admire the style, and it looks wonderful in your home. It has value just because it’s a family piece and you cherish it. But do you ever wonder about its monetary value? Should you put a rider on your homeowner’s insurance, or would a quarter be too much to charge for it if it were to become a garage sale item?
The Terrace Hill Society can help you determine the value of your treasures. On Sunday, April 22 from 10:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Society will sponsor Treasures in Your Attic, where evaluators will be on hand to help you determine a monetary value for items you bring to the evaluation. The event will be held at West End Architectural Salvage, 1408 Locust Street in Des Moines. Don Short, the owner of the one-of-a-kind salvage shop, has provided space for the evaluators and guests and their treasures.
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| | The Age of InnocenceBy JACQUELINE DEVINE 2007 Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence becomes the centerpiece for the second season of the Terrace Hill Foundation’s Victorian Voices. The play an original adaptation of Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece will be staged on the south lawn of Terrace Hill and followed by an elegant dessert reception in the Victorian garden.
Performance dates are scheduled for the evenings of June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17. Tickets are $50 per person, with proceeds to benefit the restoration, maintenance and development of Terrace Hill. A gala premiere is planned June 8 at $500 per couple. Reservations may be made for the performances or gala by calling 515-280-3450.
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| | VIEWPOINTBy BRIAN BROWNING 2007 “History has the benefit of being essentially just a really long, subjective, highly interesting tale with several million characters, hundreds of thousands of plot lines, and a series of vaguely unsatisfying resolutions. And no editor.”
-Pete Vonder Haar, Writer and Critic
2007 is a year of transition for us, with a new governor and first family living at Terrace Hill and the possibility of changes in staff and organization. It is indeed an interesting time to be affiliated with Terrace Hill. Serving as administrator at this time is a heady experience; the future is uncertain as we experience history in the making. This uncertainty also carries the seeds of greatness. We must make the plot lines clearer, those resolutions more satisfying. In this sense, each of our staff and volunteers is an editor of the history we present to the public.
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| | Artist S. Seymour Thomas’ Portraits at Terrace HillBy CARLA HERLING 2007 Recently, Terrace Hill received another portrait of Frances Cooper Hubbell by artist S. Seymour Thomas. The painting, donated by Patty Ingham Davis, is now the third portrait by Thomas at Terrace Hill. As we know little about Thomas, we set out to discover more about him and, by extension, our paintings.
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| | OPEN FOR TOURINGBy ROBERT SCHOELLER 2007 Have you wanted to tour the imposing contemporary Victorian home high on a hill on the north side of the city? The Terrace Hill Society is planning a tour of the home of Jerry and Betsey Munn on Mothers Day, May 13. The Munns, owner of the Majestic Lion antique emporium at 5048 NW Second Avenue in Des Moines, built their one-of-a-kind home in Johnston in 2001.
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| | New Commissioners Named2006 Governor Thomas Vilsack has named three new appointees to the Terrace Hill Commission. Each will serve a three-year term. Members are appointed based on their knowledge of business management and experience with historic preservation and renovation.
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| | Maurice Baringer Leaves Society Board2006 A prominent and long-time advocate for Terrace Hill, Maurice Baringer, is retiring from the Society board of directors, a position he has held since its inception in 1972. Baringer is also a former Terrace Hill Commissioner, who was appointed by Governor Robert Ray in 1975. That same year, he also started the Terrace Hill Foundation. “If it weren’t for Maurice and a group of core volunteers, Terrace Hill as we know it today might not exist,” said Terrace Hill Administrator David Cordes.
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| | First Ladies of Iowa Exhibit on DisplayBy Jacqueline Devine 2006 The First Ladies of Iowa display was unveiled September 27 at Terrace Hill in an evening of three-tiered events. The unveiling was the culmination of a three-year research project funded by grants from U.S. Cellular and Prairie Meadows and made possible by contributions from
The Integer Group, the State Historical Society of Iowa and the Terrace Hill Foundation.
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| | Hubbell Sleigh Restored in Time for HolidaysBy Bob Rasmussen 2006 One of the icons at Terrace Hill is being readied for its encore show. After many months of meticulous work and study, the restoration of the Hubbell family sleigh is being carefully brought back to its original condition when it was used at the turn of the century.
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| | New Roof Scheduled for SpringBy David Cordes 2006 Planning is under way to replace the upper roof on Terrace Hill. Architects at RDG are busy finalizing the drawings and specifications for the project. While much of the roof, such as the slate mansard roof and associated gutters, underwent extensive restoration in 2000, the upper portions of the roof were deferred at that time for several reasons. The existing rubber roof had six to seven years left in life expectancy, and there werent enough funds.
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| | New Charger Plates Grace Tables for Formal Dinners2006 Dining at Terrace Hill is always a special event. Not only is the setting spectacular and the food delicious, the china is beautiful. The Official State Seal China by Pickard is bone with gold trim and stands out against new charger or service plates purchased with proceeds from First Lady Teas.
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| | Victorian Dining—14-Course, Four-Hour Meals2006 Meals today are often on paper plates, zapped in the microwave oven or eaten on the run to a meeting or after-school activity. But for the Victorians in the late 1800s, dinner was an important social occasion. Wealthy women might entertain several nights a week while middle-class women might have guests once a month.
A formal meal, which would take up to four hours to serve and eat, consisted of up to 14 courses.
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| | Haviland China Display in Carriage House2006 An exhibit of Haviland china is on display in the carriage house through December 2006. Coordinated and arranged by Sarah Herwynen of Sioux City, a founding member of the Haviland Club, the porcelain china chronicles the story of the Haviland company and the changes in dining practices. The carriage house is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. There is no charge to see the exhibit.
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| | 2007 Terrace Hill Endowment for the Musical Arts Competition Announced2006 The Terrace Hill Endowment for the Musical Arts [THEMA] piano competition is held annually and is open to high school seniors studying music throughout the state. Winners are awarded scholarships to be used to pursue college-level music studies in Iowa the following year. The purpose of the award is to promote Iowas young musicians and the outstanding collegiate music programs statewide.
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| | 10th Anniversary Holly & Ivy Holiday Tour Approaches2006 Terrace Hill and Salisbury House, two perennial popular stops on the annual holiday tour, are being joined this 10th anniversary year by the Butler Mansion and Rollins Mansion, both on Fleur Drive and both used as offices not usually open to the public. So don’t miss this special opportunity to see these rarely seen mansions. As always, there will be holiday refreshments and music at both Salisbury House and Terrace Hill, and all four mansions will be beautifully decorated for the holidays.
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| | Book Inspires Sharing StoriesBy Christie Vilsack 2006 Parents, grandparents, siblings and others who care about the children in their lives likely have already begun reading to Iowa’s kindergartners from this year’s specially selected book, The Pickle Patch Bathtub, a project of my Iowa Stories 2000 Foundation.
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| | High Notes of the Victorian EraBy McB Smith 2006 McB Smith is the marketing and public relations director for the Des Moines Metro Opera. A fine arts graduate of Colorado College, she presented a program on Victorian opera at the April Tea at Terrace Hill. The following is an excerpt of her remarks.
The Victorian era, known in music circles as the Late Romantic period, is for many their favorite period in music. The music is defined by intense energy and passion, though the term “romantic” doesn’t refer to romance in the way we think of it today. During that time, the rigid forms of the Classical period gave way to greater expression. Music moved closer to art, literature and theatre. Nationalistic sentiment and the human struggle became dominant themes of the age.
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| | Archiving Terrace Hill’s HistoryBy Sandra Windsor 2006 The Terrace Hill Society was formed to assist in the preservation of Terrace Hill, Iowa’s home for its governors, when it was given to the state of Iowa in 1971. For over 30 years, the Society has been the primary source for the acquisition of furnishings for the site. The Societys records include board minutes, special committee records, photographs, financial records, fundraising projects such as galas and book projects, and furnishings acquisition records. While collection accession records are well managed, a records management and archival system for these valuable primary resource documents is sorely needed. As Terrace Hill is now officially listed as a National Historic Landmark, it’s vitally important that the Society’s sources provide a documentary resource about many phases of the preservation efforts for the property.
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| | Terrace Hill in the News2006 We hope you’ve been seeing and hearing a lot more about Terrace Hill lately. For the past three years, we’ve been working on increasing visibility of Terrace Hill and its programs. To promote events, Terrace Hill staff have been on every television station in Des Moines and have been regularly heard on KIOA radio in the morning with Maxwell and Polly.
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| | Inclement Weather Information for An Ideal Husband2006 As of today, Friday, June 9th at 11 a.m., all performances for this weekend’s production of An Ideal Husband are continuing as planned. In the case of inclement weather, please contact the Terrace Hill Foundation at 515-280-3450 to receive further information. In the case of a cancellation, ticket holders will be invited to attend one of the two rain date performances, Monday, June 12 or Tuesday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m. or will be allowed to use their tickets for another scheduled performance.
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| | Discoveries: The Drawing Room 100 Years AgoBy David Cordes 2006 State of Iowa restoration painters, Dick Labertew and Mark Lundberg arrived at Terrace Hill on
January 31, 2006, to begin preliminary stages of work that will lead to the restoration of the circa 1903 appearance of the drawing room. In a couple of days, canvas wall coverings were removed and thick layers of paste were washed away, revealing the decorative paint scheme created for F. M. and Frances Hubbell early in the 1900s.
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A view of the Drawing Room with the most recent decorating scheme. | |
| | Ebenezer Encore!By Jacqueline Devine 2006 The premiere season of Ebenezer & The Spirit of Giving launched a new tradition for the holidays. An adaptation of Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer was written and produced by Iowa playwright Lorenzo Sandoval and performed by leading regional actors in the holiday-festive rooms of Terrace Hill.
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| | Oscar Wilde in Iowa Again!2006 Legend has it that when British poet and playwright Oscar Wilde launched his lecture tour of America in January 1882, he told the customs officials, “I have nothing to declare but my genius!”
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| | Passing the Torch2006 The Terrace Hill Commission is the governing body of Terrace Hill. A bipartisan group established by The Code of Iowa, its nine members are appointed by the governor. The organization exists to establish policy and procedures for the administration, renovation, interpretation, operation and fiscal management of Terrace Hill.
Robert E. Josten has chaired the Commission since July 2, 2003, following the death of his law partner Robert H. Helmick, the former chair of the Commission. On January 23, 2006, Josten resigned the position for personal reasons.
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Robert E. Josten | |
| | Kitchen KudosBy Jacqueline Devine 2006
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Fresh From Terrace Hill Cookbook | |
| | Diane Stilley Joins Foundation Staff2006 The Terrace Hill Foundation is pleased to introduce Diane Stilley, a recently retired curriculum director for the Des Moines Public Schools. Stilley is no stranger to Terrace Hill. A veteran volunteer, she has served on the Education Committee and worked on the virtual tour CD-ROM project, the Terrace Hill Waltz music CD, and the tour guides guidebook. She is currently handling reservations and logistics for the 2006 Terrace Hill Teas. Stilley may be reached at 515-280-3450 or at DianeKStilley@aol.com.
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| | Tom O’Brien Joining Staff at Terrace Hill2006 Tom O’Brien will be joining our staff at Terrace Hill effective March 1, 2006. He will be filling the position that was vacated by Brian Browning (who left to pursue a full time MBA Degree). O’Brien has 10 years’ experience as a private contractor in the remodeling business and has a degree in the building trades from DMACC. He and his family live in Windsor Heights, and his wife, Janet, is employed by the state of Iowa in the Division of Banking.
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| | Annuals Add Variety to Terrace Hill GardensBy Doug Hall 2006 On the grounds at Terrace Hill, three historic garden styles coexist in relative harmony. The pastoral picturesque style of the 19th century is evident in the parklike lawn. Victorian fondness for bright annuals in patterned beds, known as carpet bedding, is seen in the driveway oval and in island beds near the mansions north and east entrances. And a cottage-garden-inspired mix of perennials, shrubs and roses a painterly style popularized at the turn of the 20th century occupies a broad border in the lattice-fenced garden south of the mansion.
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| | Rent Terrace Hill for a special gathering2005 Terrace Hill is available for rent by any corporation, foundation or organization throughout the year. The historic site makes an impressive venue for a board meeting, dinner or special reception. Also, during the summer months, the grounds can serve as a beautiful spot for a garden party.
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| | W. W. Boyington-The Architect Who Built Terrace HillBy David Cordes 2005 The architect of Terrace Hill, William Warren Boyington, was one of the most prominent architects in Chicago from 1853 to the time of his death in 1898. As for any person with a high public profile, his work was not always the subject of praise, but was sometimes the subject of outright ridicule.
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| | ReflectionsBy Christie Vilsack 2005 The charm, elegance and hospitality of Terrace Hill delighted the more than 30 governors and their families who visited our governors mansion on a hot summer evening during the National Governors Associations conference in Des Moines.
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| | TERRACE HILL: A Descendants ViewBy James Hubbell, III 2005 F.M. Hubbell had a good eye for real estate and for bargains. Terrace Hill was then, and still is, great real estate, but I’ll bet F.M. Hubbell didnt consider it a bargain when it took four plus years to build, from 1865 to early 1869. I’m guessing that as he watched B.F. Allen build Terrace Hill, F.M. shook his head and said, “What a great location, what a view, what a beautiful site, best piece of property in the state!” I’m sure he looked at the house and commented on its three stories, brick walls, towers and porches. He would have admired the wonderful woods, the oversize doors, the many rooms. Then he would have said, “I’m glad I’m not paying for this.”
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F.M. Hubbell | |
| | Mourning in the 19th CenturyBy Jeannine Schaub 2005 Mourning or expression of grief has been a part of humanity since the beginning of time. In 19th century America, death was a part of daily life, and Victorians, in general, did not fear it. It was viewed as a release from life’s cares, and salvation was the reward. Victorians did fear that their deaths would not be mourned.
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| | Spring GardensBy Elvin McDonald 2005 A curious trait common to gardeners is that no matter how well we’ve done in one season, we always hope to do better the next. The Terrace Hill Garden Committee members and staff are no different. In winter while snow and ice blanket the garden, we lie low by the fire, plotting our plans for the coming season.
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| | New Iowa Quarter Sets—Foundation Fundraiser—Purchase a limited-edition, commemorative set and invest in the future of history.2005 The new Iowa quarter was officially released September 3, 2004. On that day, more than 2,000 Iowans joined Governor Tom Vilsack, First Lady Christie Vilsack, United States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore and other dignitaries on the state Capitol steps. Iowans purchased almost 5,000 sets at the event. Another 2,300 sets were sold at the Old Threshers Reunion later the same day.
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| | DiscoveriesBy Carla Herling 2005 December’s Terrace Hill lecture, Art Collecting During the Victorian Age: The Case of Terrace Hill, was given by Maura Lyons, Assistant Professor of Art History at Drake University. To prepare for her lecture, Professor Lyons referenced the archives at the State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI), where she found extensive documentation, including the art purchased and commissioned for Terrace Hill during the Hubbell period. When our staff learned of the vast information in the SHSI archives, we were anxious to do our own research research that has already begun a trail of discovery.
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| | Reconstruction of Garden Pergola—Next in Historic Restoration at Terrace HillBy Dwight Jensen, Site Development Committee Chair 2005 Sometime this summer, if all goes according to plan, the extensive program to restore the Terrace Hill mansion and grounds to the way they were a century ago will be nearly complete.
The next piece of the puzzle will be the reconstruction of the pergola, a fixture in the historic garden from Terrace Hills early days—until about five years ago, when it was torn down. Work is scheduled to begin early this spring and to be completed by the time the National Governors Conference convenes here in mid-July.
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| | From the HayloftBy Jacqueline Devine 2005 Some have asked why I left the exciting field of advertising, where I had 19 years of tenure with a leading agency, high-profile clients, and an executive office with a panoramic view in the Butler Mansion, for a nonprofit post in the “hayloft” of the carriage house at Terrace Hill. Those who know me better know it was inevitable.
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Jacqueline Devine | |
| | ReflectionsBy Christie Vilsack 2005 From my wicker chair on the east porch of Terrace Hill, I can see construction on Martin Luther King Drive and the tops of the Principal and Ruan buildings downtown. On balmy Sunday afternoons, Tom and I take our dog, Rosie, to the porch with a pitcher of iced tea and a couple of good books. We watch the squirrels play tag around the towering walnut trees, fattening themselves on walnut meats for a long winter. Sometimes we take our laptops and work side by side quietly, wondering which of us will doze off first.
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| | Equipment Needed2004 If you are looking to make a year-end charitable donation, consider Terrace Hills need for new items:
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| | Historic Photos and Albums Provide A Peek into the PastBy David L. Cordes, Terrace Hill Administrator 2004 A priceless photo album that belonged to F. C. Hubbell and dates to the early 1890s has been donated to Terrace Hill by James Hubbell, Jr., and his wife Helen. The images are crisp and clear and provide valuable original photos, of which we had only copies in the past.
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The reception room as it was in the early 1900s | |
| | Thanks to Meredith Foundation2004 The Meredith Corporation Foundation has funded a grant in the amount of $15,000. The grant will be paid over a period of three years and is designated to benefit the gardens.
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| | Thanks to Helen Hubbell and Rusty Edwards2004 Helen Hubbell, left, and her daughter Rusty Edwards have funded a position for a garden intern at Terrace Hill for the last three years. As a result, the gardens have received an extra 16 hours of loving care each week. This summers intern, Ryan Chapman, received valuable experience in caring for a historic landscape environment.
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Helen Hubbell and Rusty Edwards | |
| | Meet Chris Cameron New Manager of The Carriage House at Terrace Hill2004 An extensive retail background, coupled with years as an interior decorator, makes Chris Cameron at home in her new job as manager of The Carriage House Gift Shop. I am very pleased and excited to be a part of The Carriage House at Terrace Hill. There is so much potential to feature merchandise that truly reflects the image of Terrace Hill and all that Iowa has to offer, Cameron said.
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| | Was that hole a swimming pool?By David L. Cordes, Administrator 2004 In 1924, Grover Hubbell began a project of major repairs and modernizations to Terrace Hill. His father, F. M. Hubbell, was in failing health, and it was decided that Grover and his family would move into Terrace Hill to care for him. There had not been any modernizations or major repairs of any great magnitude to the mansion since 1885, so there was much to do. Electricity was installed along with other repairs and modernizations, including an electric-power elevator and more bathrooms.
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A pergola added interest to the south end of the pool | |
| | 2004 Terrace Hill Piano Scholarships AwardedBy Carla Herling 2004
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| | New Name, New Merchandise at The Carriage House at Terrace HillBy Chris Cameron 2004 The fresh new look of the gift shop was showcased to the public at a grand opening of The Carriage House at Terrace Hill July 12 17. The new, extended gift shop hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special events were scheduled during the grand opening, including china painting demonstrations and book signings.
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| | Reflections2004 In keeping with national sales, tea drinking is more than a trend at Terrace Hill. The burgeoning of tearooms across the nation and around the state reflects an awakening appreciation for the taste, hospitality and social graces connected with this centuries-old custom.
Whether treating themselves to an interlude from the hectic pace of 21st century life or celebrating a special occasion with family and friends, a growing number of guests come to Terrace Hill specifically to take tea in the elegant surroundings of this Victorian showplace.
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Edythe Meller and Susan McKinney, co-chairs of the Tea committee, pause for a moment | |
| | New Entrances Welcome GuestsBy David L. Cordes, Administrator 2004 Terrace Hills Site Improvement project, a two-part endeavor reworking entrances, has now been completed. The site work has restored the Grand Avenue gate piers; all vehicular traffic is now via that gate, which historically was the front entrance to the property. The west entrance, which in the past served as the service entrance, now accommodates pedestrians, allowing tourists to access the visitors center in the carriage house. Gone is the fortresslike wall of stairs that visitors had to scale in order to obtain access to the carriage house. In its place, guests now follow a pleasant pathway that meanders its way to the carriage house as well as the mansion.
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| | Terrace Hill to be a host site for Des Moines school districts Gifted and Talented Summer School ProgramBy Carla Herling 2004 Students will spend three weeks, June 7 25, at Terrace Hill creating artwork, discussing architectural history, and learning from local scholars and experts. The workshop, Victorian Art and Architecture, is one of five sponsored by the Des Moines Public Schools Gifted and Talented Summer School Program for fifth- and sixth-grade students.
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| | The Carriage House Defined Purpose, Unified SupportBy Jacqueline Devine 2004 In June 2003, Interim Commission Chair Dwight Jensen appointed a three-member committee representing each of the Terrace Hill support organizations to address the issues of purpose, location, inventory, support, management and operations of the Terrace Hill gift shop. The committee members are Marilyn Smith (Society), Peggy Whitworth (Foundation) and Committee Chair Jacqueline Devine (Commission).
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| | Its Official: Terrace Hill Is a National Historic LandmarkBy David L. Cordes, Administrator 2003 In May of 1999, I began to prepare for my new position as Terrace Hill administrator and made a number of calls to acquaintances in the Historic Preservation Office at the State Historical Department to learn everything possible about Terrace Hill. Ralph Christian, who was then the architectural historian, informed me that several years prior, a group of people from the National Historic Landmarks Office in Philadelphia had spent some time in Des Moines and were quite interested in Terrace Hill. A preliminary determination had been made that Terrace Hill was a valid candidate to be designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), but no progress had been made toward that end for many years. In order to successfully qualify as a National Historic Landmark, the case must be proven that the resource has significance to the entire nation.
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| | Tribute2003 George Mills, a noted historian, author and Terrace Hill supporter, died Monday, October 20, at the age of 97. Mills first became acquainted with Terrace Hill when he volunteered to work with Grover Hubbell for the U.S.O.
Over the years, as a reporter for The Des Moines Register, Mills wrote extensively about Terrace Hill and its owners. George was an early advocate for saving Terrace Hill, long before the idea was popular, said David L. Cordes, Terrace Hill administrator. Mills skill at translating events into captivating stories enabled readers to learn about, enjoy and appreciate Iowas Palace on the Prairie.
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| | Welcome, Carla2003 Carla S. Herling has been named the new communications and programs coordinator at Terrace Hill. Im excited to be given the opportunity to work with such capable volunteers and staff to introduce this beautiful, historic residence to a much larger audience, said Herling.
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Carla Herling | |
| | Tribute2003 Robert Bob Helmick, a highly regarded leader of local and international legal, cultural and sports communities, died of complications of a stroke on April 14. Helmick, 66, was a long-time supporter of Terrace Hill and a past chair of the Terrace Hill Commission.
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Robert H. Helmick | |
| | Operating Expenses and the Challenges of Raising MoneyBy Alissa McKinney 2003 It has been a tough year to raise money for charitable causes. This can be attributed to the many projects in Des Moines soliciting for funding, the downturn in the economy, and for Terrace Hill, the fact that generous contributions were already made during the capital campaign.
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| | By David L. Cordes, Administrator 2003 The intriguing fountain on the back lawn at Terrace Hill has been a highlight to the landscape for years. However, time and exposure to the elements have taken their toll, and work was needed to restore the fountain.
When Terrace Hill was undergoing its initial restoration in the late 1970s, the fountain needed work, but with the more pressing needs of the mansion itself, the fountain did not receive attention until 1981.
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Restored with funds donated by the family of Bonnie Koch, the fountain once again graces the lawn | |
| | Look Back-Look Around-Look Ahead Educational Outreach Program Releases Interactive CD-ROMBy Jacqueline Devine 2003 In the feasibility-study phase of the Legacy for Iowans capital campaign, the need for enhancing the educational component of Terrace Hill became clear. Donors and grantors wanted to support more than restoration. They were interested in enabling Terrace Hill, as an educational resource, to reach out to those who might not be able to enter the massive doors at 2300 Grand, as well as to enrich the on-site learning experience.
A proposal was made to the Terrace Hill Foundation for establishing an Education Committee responsible for developing outreach and on-site education vehicles. Educational products that resulted from that proposal and the committees work include the introductory tour video, Terrace Hill Web site (www.terracehill.org), Landmark newsletter, and Terrace Hill Waltz music CD.
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| | Terrace Hill Wins Three Addy Awards2003 On February 15, the 2002-2003 Addy Awards the Oscars of the advertising profession recognized the marketing materials of Terrace Hill with awards in three categories.
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Gold Addy Winner | |
| | Foundation’s ongoing fundraiser: Raise the Roof2003 Own a piece of Iowa history. With every $100 donation to Raise the Roof, you receive an authentic historic slate-roof shingle that once protected Terrace Hill. Recently, the original slate shingles that weathered the test of time since 1869 were removed and replaced. Display one or more of these commemorative slates in your home, office or school.
Each historic slate is engraved and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. (Size, shape and colors of slates vary.) The proceeds from the sale of the roof shingles will be used for the ongoing restoration and operation of Terrace Hill.
The number of slate shingles is limited, so don’t miss your chance to own a piece of Iowa history and help Raise the Roof.
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| | The Pianos of Terrace HillBy David L. Cordes, Administrator 2002 Terrace Hill is fortunate to have two rare antique pianos in its collection. The Chickering square piano is a prized historic artifact. The 1893 Steinway grand is a great instrument.
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Chickering Square Grand Piano | |
| | New Director of Development Named2002 Alissa McKinney is the new director of development for the Terrace Hill Foundation. McKinney grew up in Story County on a farm in Colo. She received a bachelor of arts degree from Simpson College in 1990. With a background in politics and fundraising, McKinney worked for four years as the assistant director of the SPARK Program, a nonprofit organization in Houston, Texas, and most recently spent a year as the finance director for the Iowans for Vilsack/Pederson campaign.
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Alissa McKinney | |
| | About the Curatorial CommitteeBy Timothy Anderson, Chair 2002 The Terrace Hill Curatorial Committee, a group of seven preservationists, is an example of the axiom “The body is greater than the sum of its parts.” The diversity of expertise and experience ensures all issues will be considered from all angles.
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| | Capital Campaign ClosesBy Alissa McKinney 2002 The Terrace Hill Foundation has successfully finished the Capital Campaign, raising more than $4 million for restoration and physical improvements to Terrace Hill. The Foundation thanks the many individuals, corporations and foundations that made the campaign so successful. The renovation included a new roof, fire-safety sprinkler system, climate-control system, emergency generator, and extensive restoration to the mansion and Carriage House exterior.
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| | Secret tunnel exposedBy David L. Cordes, Administrator 2001 There are many fascinating aspects of Terrace Hill that attract attention: its grand but whimsical architecture, its historic features and its stockpile of tales. For many, though, Terrace Hill’s most legendary attraction is its mysterious old tunnel.
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| | Exterior restoration prompts the First Lady to reminisceBy Christie Vilsack 2001 Framed in the bedroom window that Beulah Hubbell peered out of as a child, I see blue-jean legs jutting from work boots. I hear muffled pounding over the hum of my computer. One of the best parts of living in Terrace Hill is watching the past rub elbows with the present. I often pause to marvel at the fine craftsmanship in the door frame beside my desk. And I wonder if any of the carpenters outside my window wielding the buzzing electric saws are descendants of the original builders of Terrace Hill.
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Tower Restoration | |
| | New exhibits in the Carriage House2001 Through October, you can step back in time and view political ribbons, buttons, posters and books owned by the men who served as governor of the state of Iowa since 1846 and as territorial governor prior to that. Personal items such as service plates and top hats are also part of the display.
In November and December, a collection of rare Victorian dolls will welcome visitors. The Terrace Hill Carriage House is open 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, through December. There is no charge to visit the Carriage House.
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Carriage House Exhibit of Political Memorabilia | |
| | New exhibits in the Carriage House2001 Through October, you can step back in time and view political ribbons, buttons, posters and books owned by the men who served as governor of the state of Iowa since 1846 and as territorial governor prior to that. Personal items such as service plates and top hats are also part of the display.
In November and December, a collection of rare Victorian dolls will welcome visitors. The Terrace Hill Carriage House is open 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, through December. There is no charge to visit the Carriage House.
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Carriage House Exhibit of Political Memorabilia | |
| | Help Raise the Roof2001 On nice days, stone engraver Ken Huffaker props open the doors of Nevada Monument Company in Nevada, Iowa. He likes a breeze while he and his four employees design and engrave monuments. One of their current projects, however, doesn’t involve a massive slab of granite but slender sheaves of 130-year-old slate tiles removed from Terrace Hill.
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Ken Huffaker | |
| | Governor Harding’s books donatedBy Elaine Graham Estes 2001 Books from the personal collection of William L. Harding, who served as governor from 1917 to 1921, were recently donated to Terrace Hill. The collection has been placed in the Governor’s Office on the second floor. Eight of the books bear inscriptions and bookplates that document the ownership and personality of Governor Harding.
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Governor William Harding | |
| | Hubbell papers given to State Historical Society2001 The descendants of F. M. Hubbell have recently given “a treasure trove of epic journals and documents” to the State Historical Society of Iowa. The documents include F. M. Hubbell’s diaries, which date from 1855, and records related to Hubbell’s real estate, public utility, railroad and trust transactions.
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F.M. Hubbell | |
| | Rare globe acquired for libraryBy Christie Vilsack 2001 With proceeds raised from the First Lady Teas, Terrace Hill has purchased a globe patented in 1875 by American governess Ellen Fitz, the first woman to patent a globe and the publisher of the Handbook of the Terrestrial Globe or Guide to Fitz’s New Method of Mounting and Operating Globes. The special feature of her globe, its mounting, helps measure the course of the sun, the length of day and night, and the length of twilight over the whole year.
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| | DiscoveriesBy David L. Cordes, Administrator 2001 As visitors tour Terrace Hill, there are always numerous questions. The most frequently asked questions center around the mansion’s most prominent feature: the tower. Visitors are curious about what is in the tower and how you get to its top. Recent restoration work in the tower has refocused attention there, and some interesting details have been uncovered.
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Tower Interior | |
| | Carriage House masonry to be repaired thanks to new grantBy Rae vonHoldt 2001 The State Historical Society of Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs recently announced that Terrace Hill’s Historic Site Preservation Grant Program project was approved for funding up to a maximum of $100,000. The grant was submitted by the Terrace Hill Foundation to restore the masonry on the Carriage House.
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Brick decay on the carriage house exterior | |
