Plum Grove Historic House

The Plum Grove Historic House is a two-story red brick residence built in Greek Revival style, containing seven primary rooms and an attached kitchen section. The structure displays the architectural features typical of this period and remains largely unchanged from its original construction.

The house became the residence of Robert Lucas, the first appointed governor of Iowa Territory, who lived here starting in 1844. His presence made it an important location during the early period of American expansion into the frontier region.

The home displays how a prosperous family of the 1840s lived through its furnished rooms and daily routines. Walking through the spaces gives a sense of what mattered to people during this period and how they organized their domestic lives.

The house is open for guided and self-guided visits during warmer months when visitors can walk through all rooms. Plan enough time to explore the different spaces and observe the period details throughout the residence.

The building deliberately lacks built-in closets because tax assessors in the 1840s counted them as separate rooms, which increased property taxes. This architectural choice reflects how homeowners of that era made design decisions to avoid higher tax bills.