Plum Grove Historic Home
Plum Grove, a red brick house in Iowa City, is the historic home of Iowa's first territorial governor, Robert Lucas. Lucas was appointed by President Martin Van Buren as the first governor of the Territory of Iowa, serving from 1838 to 1841. Lucas built this seven-room Greek Revival house in 1844 using local materials. Plum Grove was once part of an 360-acre farm, registered under Friendly Lucas, the wife of Robert Lucas. The home stands on 4 acres in an Iowa City neighborhood. NSCDA-IA furnished the home with authentic artifacts common during the pre-antebellum period between 1844-1853. The home represents daily life during Iowa's early days of statehood. Plum Grove is proudly a Great American Treasure historic home.
Thursday, May 25, 2023: Dames Day at Plum Grove!
Open Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend: Wednesday-Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
After Labor Day Weekend to October 31st:
Saturday-Sunday: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
Free Admission
Group tours welcome; please schedule in advance.
Restoration Projects
Cody Homestead (1847-1870)
The childhood home of "Buffalo Bill," built by his father Isaac Cody, is located near McCausland and LeClaire, Iowa.
Buffalo are kept on the premises. The property is owned by Scott County Parks.
In the 1970s, the Iowa Dames helped furnish two rooms in the house for the time period when the Cody family lived there.
Lewis and Clark Monument (1936)
This monument was established in Iowa on the bluffs over-looking the Missouri River by the Iowa State Historical Society. Its restoration was also provided for by the NSCDA-IA Dames.
Forest Grove #5
(before and after restoration)
The Davenport Borough, over a period of years, contributed to the restoration of a one-room schoolhouse, in Bettendorf.
Other Historic Properties
The Iowa Dames have provided financial support for other local museums and historic homes in Iowa. Outside of Iowa, the Iowa Society and individual members support NSCDA properties Dumbarton House, Gunston Hall and Sulgrave Manor.