Brucemore is the only National Trust site in Iowa and is among the most significant cultural landscapes in the Midwest. Despite plenty of historic challenges, this irreplaceable estate is in better shape each year as a resource for our community and our state. Staff are proud to present the projects started and completed in 2024:
Trees and Shrubs
Over 100 trees and 200 shrubs were planted along Dows Lane, by the Servant’s Village, and along the Linden and Crescent roadways this planting season. This included hemlocks and juneberries to restore a native canopy and row edge to the 26-acre estate.
Historic Night Garden
The Night Garden is a signature feature filled with silver and white plants that look best in the evening sky. This restoration expanded the size to the original footprint, replaced the trees and shrubs that enclosed the space, and preserved the brick stair entrance.
Outdoor Statuary Conservation
The Deer statue adjacent to the Formal Garden and the historic urns by the pond’s edge both experienced damage from multiple storms. Art conservators from Minneapolis worked diligently to repair the damaged areas and repaint to restore the original condition.
Infrastructure Updates
The outdated security systems on site are undergoing an upgrade including fire, entrance, and window security across multiple buildings to ensure the art, artifacts, furnishings, and archival documents important to Brucemore’s history are secure.
The preservation mission of Brucemore is perpetual and challenging, but community support helps ensure the site will be a source of pride and inspiration for generations. If you want to join this mission, donate to the Preservation Fund!
Click here to donate to the Preservation Fund.
