116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
36 photos: Take a tour of Terrace Hill, celebrating its 150th anniversary
When Terrace Hill was completed in 1869, it was Des Moines' tallest home owned by its wealthiest man. Today it is a stunning reminder of Victorian Second Empire architecture, with the 18,000-square foot building serving both as the official governor's residence and as a National Historic Landmark.
You can learn more about Terrace Hill here.
An elk and caribou hunted by Fredrick Cooper Hubbell hang in a first floor hallway at Terrace Hill in Des Moines on Monday, March 18, 2019. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The receiving room sits adjacent to the front door and main hallway on the first floor of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The receiving room sits adjacent to the front door and main hallway on the first floor of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Used by the original owners as a billiard room, the Hubbells turned the first floor space into a library at Terrace Hill in Des Moines on Monday, March 18, 2019. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A small table sits in an alcove to the side of a main table in the dining room at Terrace Hill in Des Moines on Monday, March 18, 2019. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A fireplace of pink Spanish marble is featured in the dining room at Terrace Hill in Des Moines on Monday, March 18, 2019. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A hutch owned by the second owner Frederick Marion Hubbell sits in the dining room of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Terrace Hill in Des Moines was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The drawing room at Terrace Hill in Des Moines features a chandelier over seven feet tall with over 2000 crystals. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The drawing room at Terrace Hill in Des Moines features a chandelier over seven feet tall with over 2000 crystals. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The music room features a courting chair and 1893 Steinway piano and opens off of the drawing room on the first floor of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A hall tree with a bench, mirror and places to store hats and umbrellas sits next to a door opening on to a porch on the east side of the first floor of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The east palor is the brightest room in Des Moines' Terrace Hill and would have been used by the families that originally lived in the home as a family room. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A Grant Wood painting is on display in a second floor hallway at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The governor's home office is on the second floor at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Grover Hubbell's room is used for guests at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A painting of Fredrick Cooper Hubbell, son of the second owner, hangs the first floor of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Much of the first floor has a Victorian stenciled egg and dart pattern with the egg representing life and the dart representing death. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Opals decorate a light fixture hanging in the library at Terrace Hill in Des Moines on Monday, March 18, 2019. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A pattern decorates the floor of the dining room at Terrace Hill in Des Moines on Monday, March 18, 2019. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A bed room with a bed owned by Beulah Hubble, daughter of the mansion's second owner Frederick Marion Hubbell, is on the second floor at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A bed room with a bed owned by Beulah Hubble, daughter of the mansion's second owner Frederick Marion Hubbell, is on the second floor at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Decoratice carving on the bed in the Grover Hubbell's room, which is used for guests at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A large stained glass window is featured on the landing between the first and second floors of Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Painting decorates the ceiling of the receiving room ont he first floor of the main entrance to Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Terrace Hill in Des Moines was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Terrace Hill in Des Moines was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Terrace Hill in Des Moines was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Terrace Hill in Des Moines was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Terrace Hill in Des Moines was designed by Chicago architect William W. Boyington. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
The carriage house at Terrace Hill is used as a visitor center and museum for the mansion. The first and second floor can be toured by the public, with the third floor serving as a residence for the Governor of Iowa. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A model of Terrace Hill along with a historical timeline is on display in the mansion's carriage house, which is used as a visitor center and museum for the mansion. The first and second floor can be toured by the public, with the third floor serving as a residence for the Governor of Iowa. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A tea service set is on display in the mansion's carriage house, which is used as a visitor center and museum for the mansion. The first and second floor can be toured by the public, with the third floor serving as a residence for the Governor of Iowa. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Hand mirrors on display in the mansion's carriage house, which is used as a visitor center and museum for the mansion. The first and second floor can be toured by the public, with the third floor serving as a residence for the Governor of Iowa. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Painting decorates the ceiling of the the first floor near the stairway at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A stairway leads from the first floor to the second floor at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Decorative painting on tops of the walls and ceiling of the second floor over the staircase at Terrace Hill in Des Moines. Completed in 1869, the home was built Des Moines' first millionaire, Benjamin Franklin Allen, and sold to Fredrick Marion Hubbell when Allen lost his fortune. The Hubbell family donate the mansion to the state in 1971 for use as the governor's residence. Photographed on Monday, March 18, 2019.(Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
Daily Newsletters