Overview

Terrace Hill is located at 2300 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa. It is majestically situated at the crest of a terraced hill, high above the Raccoon River valley.

Terrace Hill is the home of Iowa Governor Chet Culver, First Lady Mari Culver and the First Family. They live on the third floor, under the area covered by the mansard-style roof.

The Vilsacks were Iowa's third First Family to live in Terrace Hill. The families of Governor Robert D. Ray and Governor Terry E. Branstad have also called Terrace Hill their "home."

Terrace Hill was given to the state of Iowa in 1971 for this use by the heirs of F. M. Hubbell, who bought the home from its original owner, B. F. Allen, in 1884.

Since Terrace Hill was opened to the public in 1978, nearly 500,000 people have visited this American treasure. They have come from far away -- from Nepal to Norway, from Kenya to Korea, from Belgium to Brazil.

Hospitality of this sort contributes to good international relations -- often resulting in improved trade relations and business expansions that create quality jobs for Iowans.

Visitors have come to Terrace Hill from every state in the United States and every county in Iowa.

Each year, 2–3,000 of the state's students visit this home of Iowa history.