The former Douglas Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the new location of The History Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
CEDAR RAPIDS – The History Center celebrated its new home in a historic house with a grand opening today.
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, was declared “History Center Day” in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Hundreds of visitors streamed through the doors of the building, used for years as a funeral home after serving two prominent families and renovations by Iowa’s most renowned artist, Grant Wood.
The four-year effort began with the purchase of the Douglas mansion, built around 1897 and one of the last surviving homes in the “Mansion Hill” neighborhood, which once boasted 120 houses of similar grandeur in northeast and southeast Cedar Rapids.
Related: Historic mansions of Bonaparte, Iowa
Built for the George B. Douglas family, the building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Caroline Sinclair, the first owner of the Brucemore estate in Cedar Rapids, swapped homes with the Douglas family in 1906, so her family could live in the city and the Douglasses moved to what was then the countryside.
From 1924 to 1935, Grant Wood lived next to the home above a carriage house at 5 Turner Alley, where he painted “American Gothic” among other works.
Executive Director Jason Wright noted that enough money was raised during the center’s capital campaign to open the new site, at 800 Second Ave. SE, without a mortgage.
Festivities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, talks by historian Mark Stoffer Hunter and crafts for children.
See photos of the mansion when it was first purchased by The History Center and more images from today’s events:
Visitors stream through the main entrance of the new History Center location on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Jack Evans, president and CEO of the Hall-Perrine Foundation, speaks during the grand opening of The History Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
An antique car show in the parking lot of The History Center was part of the grand opening celebration. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Executive Director Jason Wright talks to the crowd before the ribbon-cutting at the new site of The History Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Visitors climb the main staircase at the new site of The History Center during the grand opening. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Pink shag carpeting was removed to reveal the original wood flooring in the Douglas Mansion. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Guests look at displays in the Mike & Esther Wilson Gallery inside The History Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The former music room includes design touches by renowned artist Grant Wood. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
A circular room that had been used as a sitting room now showcases the history of the mansion. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The Deep Dish Divas perform during the grand opening of The History Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Guests of all ages visited The History Center during its grand opening celebration in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The History Center’s library was closed during the grand opening, but will be open during regular business hours. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Historian Mark Stoffer Hunter speaks next to an image of artist Grant Wood, who designed the stained glass bay window in the mansion. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Brass Transit Authority performs outdoors during the grand opening celebration. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Brass Transit Authority can be seen through the stained glass bay window, designed by Grant Wood. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Marshmallows were roasted to make s’mores during the grand opening of The History Center. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
The new location of The History Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, opened with a celebration on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Perfect use of a stately meaningful home. Good work all.