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Gardens & Grounds Open
Tuesday-Sunday
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Daily Public Tours
Tuesday-Sunday
Self-Guided
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
(last ticket sold 4:00 pm)
Guided
11:00 am and 2:30 pm
Nooks & Crannies
1:00 pm
Times subject to change
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Salisbury House & Gardens | 4025 Tonawanda Drive | Des Moines, Iowa 50312 | Phone: (515) 274-1777

About Salisbury House & Gardens

"[Salisbury House & Gardens] will be a wonderfully different destination point that will enrich your lives because of the experiences contained within just waiting, waiting for you to become part of."

The Culture Buzz with John Busbee, KFMG  99.1, 9/17/09
www.kfmg991.org

Where History Comes Alive Each Day

Gothic Entrance

Each year, Salisbury House & Gardens welcomes thousands of visitors for a wide array of cultural, educational and social events. 

A 42-room architectural wonder built between 1923 and 1928 by pioneer cosmetics magnate, Carl Weeks and his wife Edith modeled the House after King’s House in Salisbury England. They moved into the House with their four sons in December, 1926.

During the Depression years, new property tax laws compelled Weeks to deed the house to Drake University in 1934. The arrangement allowed the family to live in the house, providing they opened the house to students studying the fine arts. In 1954, Drake University sold the property to the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA).  Mrs. Weeks died in 1955 followed by her husband in 1962. The ISEA occupied the house until 1999 when the newly formed Salisbury House Foundation purchased it and its collections for $4 million.

The Foundation’s stated mission for the House: To preserve, interpret, and share the international significance of Salisbury House & Gardens and its collections as a historic house museum for the educational and cultural benefit and enjoyment of the public. Today, great progress has made based on a master plan for extensive renovation and repair of the House. The House’s staff, Board of Directors and many supporters work toward the completion of the restoration of the House, while offering a broad range of programming and events that demonstrate the goals of the Mission.

Salisbury House & Gardens Foundation Board of Directors

Officers:
Mike Simonson, Chairman
Tom Bernau, Immediate Past Chairman
Randy Hamilton, Treasurer
John Hanrahan, Assistant Treasurer

Honorary Board Members
Cooper Weeks
Barbara Weeks Phinney
Caroline Moon
William Pritchard

Members
Francis Boggus
Ely Brewer
Dave Caris
Brian Clark
Ron Hallenbeck
Fritz James
Bruce Kelley
Edward Matt
Mike McCoy
Dana McNeill
Liz Neumann
Janis Ruan
Ron Shortenhaus
Mark Tezak
Jim Willer

Salisbury House & Gardens Staff

Mark J. Heppner - Executive Director
Terri Barrick - Foundation Assistant
Marcia Martin - Development Director
Sarah Behounek - Annual Fundraising Program Manager
Angela Kolbet - Marketing & Public Programs Director
Leo Landis - Education Director & Curator
Kate Langmoreland - Events & Volunteer Director
Darlene Dunlap - Accounting & HR Director
Kerry Johnson - Building & Grounds Director
Bobbie Heimberg - Building & Grounds Assistant

We are registered with the National Register of Historic Places
Iowa Museum Association

Due to the historic nature of Salisbury House, the museum and gardens has limited assistance for handicap accessibility.  Please call during business hours for further information and every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

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Salisbury House & Gardens
4025 Tonawanda Drive
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Phone: (515) 274-1777 • Fax: (515) 274-0184

® Copyright 2009, Salisbury House Foundation