News Archive
We regularly publish News Articles and Press Releases. Check back often for updates and new articles.
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WHO TV 13 - What's Inside with Andy Fales
Thursday, November 10, 2011News
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Enjoy a wonderful segment that was featured on WHO TV 13 regarding the library at Salisbury House and the rare literary collection of Carl Week's.
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Rare Mercedes to headline annual car show
Thursday, September 8, 2011News
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Read an article featured in the Des Moines Register about the rare Mercedes that will headline the Concours d'Elegance.
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Get Dolled Up for the Gatsby Gala
Tuesday, September 6, 2011News
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Read an article from Juice about what to wear to the Gatsby Gala
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12th Annual Concours d'Elegance
Tuesday, August 16, 2011Press Release
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Legends and Legacies of Design at the 12th Annual Concours d'Elegance. A rare collection of vehicles of design and historic significance.
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A double dose of the Bard returns
Tuesday, July 19, 2011News
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Click here to read an article written by Michael Morain of the Des Moines Register about this weekend's Shakespeare on the Lawn.
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Des Moines Register Feature
Monday, April 18, 2011News
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The current restoration efforts for Salisbury House & Gardens were featured in a piece written by Michael Morain, the Arts & Culture writer for the Des Moines Register. Please see the attached article.
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Community Foundation Annual Report
Friday, April 1, 2011News
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The Community Foundation's Capacity Building Grant is supporting the strategic planning process for the continued growth and development of Salisbury House & Gardens.
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Business Record - A Closer Look at Katie Wengert
Friday, April 1, 2011News
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Please see the attached article from The Des Moines Business Record on Salisbury House & Gardens' new Marketing and Community Relations Director, Katie Wengert.
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Salisbury House & Gardens Awarded $125,000 Legacy Grant from Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino
Tuesday, December 14, 2010Press Release
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The Salisbury House Foundation is pleased to announce a $125,000 Legacy Grant awarded by Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino as part of funding necessary to make possible a $1 million critical repair and restoration project to the nationally significant historic house museum and cultural center in the heart of Des Moines.
The Prairie Meadows grant will assist in providing matching support for current funding secured through a State of Iowa Historic Preservation Grant (HSPG) of $100,000 and a Federal Save America's Treasures (SAT) grant of $400,000, both requiring 100% match from other sources.
SHF Board President Mike Simonson says of the Prairie Meadows grant, "We're grateful that the Prairie Meadows Advisory Board recognizes how important Salisbury House & Gardens is to the community – and to the Midwest in general."
Badly deteriorated interior limestone walls in the Great Hall will see restoration work begin early in 2011 while additional matching funds are secured to complete critical repairs to stabilize the foundation and address waterproofing issues that have compromised masonry walls.
Extensive rains during 2010 infiltrated the foundation and caused unforeseen damage including that to the Indian Room, a significant historic room at Salisbury House, forcing it to be closed to the public until repairs can be made. Historic terraces and retaining walls, a key element to the visitor's experience, are in dire need of repair and rebuilding as well.
SHF Director of Development Marcia Martin credits stakeholders and supporters with encouraging community leaders to support such important work at Salisbury House. Martin says, "Many supporters are helping in the effort to encourage other community leaders to provide the remaining matching funding. We're encouraged at the outstanding response we're receiving and hope to have the remaining funds committed by early 2011."
Salisbury House & Gardens, a forty-two room estate built and furnished in the 1920s by cosmetics entrepreneur Carl Weeks and his wife Edith, serves thousands of guests annually for educational tours, cultural and historic programs, and private and corporate events. The grand home houses an authentic and irreplaceable collection of art and artifacts and rare books and documents collected from throughout the world and brought back to Iowa by the Weeks family.
Mark Heppner, SHF Executive Director, says, "Plans are to make the repair and restoration project part of the visitors' experience as we invite SHF members and guests to visit at critical points throughout the project to see progress and learn what it takes to manage a national treasure." Salisbury House & Gardens is open to the public for tours March through December Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 – 5:00. The house was completed in 1928 by Carl and Edith Weeks and modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England. Visitors can get more information at www.salisburyhouse.org.
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Save America's Treasures Commits Up To $400,000 For Salisbury House & Gardens!
Monday, November 29, 2010News
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Through the efforts of bipartisan support from Senator Chuck Grassley, Senator Tom Harkin, and Representative Leonard Boswell, Salisbury House & Gardens will benefit from a Federal matching grant administered by the National Park Service. The funding will be used for interior repairs to plaster, wood and stone surfaces throughout the house; and to eliminate water infiltration as well as damage to the foundation that threaten basement and terrace structures - structures critical to the integrity and longevity of the building's envelope. To receive these funds, we must have your commitment to match them. Every dollar you can spare helps to complete an essential $1 million project!
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Salisbury House & Gardens Awarded $100,000 Preservation Grant
Monday, November 29, 2010News
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Salisbury House Foundation has been awarded a Historic Site Preservation Grant of $100,000. The grant will be applied to Salisbury House & Garden's $296,675 Interior Surfaces Preservation and Waterproofing project. The project includes wood floor refinishing, plaster repair, and finishing of plastered walls, as well as cleaning and repair of wall and floor stone surfaces. The grant requires that Salisbury House & Gardens provide a matching $100,000 by July 2011. This Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs grant was administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa. "We are delighted to receive this grant," said Mike Simonson, president of Salisbury House Foundation Board of Directors. "It will play an extremely important role in ensuring that restoration moves ahead, expanding what visitors experience here," he added. Restoration of Salisbury House & Gardens began with a 1998 Master Plan for complete restoration. In the decade following, the House's roof was restored and the former garage area was renovated to become a new Visitors Center. As funding was secured, the Plan moved ahead with extensive replacement of mechanical and security systems, installation of air conditioning and security and fire suppression systems. Wood restoration of centuries-old flooring and wall paneling begun in 2006 was completed in three second-floor rooms in June, 2008, through grants from the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation and the Principal Foundation.
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