Salisbury House and Gardens

04/21/2020

Have you ever wondered about our mysterious "Double Portrait" in the Common Room? Carl and Edith Weeks' tastes in art ranged from Italian Renaissance to French Post Impressionism, Ming Dynasty ceramics to Native American beadwork. One painting in particular has gone on to capture the attention of scholars and guests for decades – the “Double Portrait.“

Hanging in the Common Room, the Double Portrait features dark and stormy coloring and depicts the faces of two gentlemen, one old and one young. Carl acquired the painting from the collection of Leopold Greville, 6th Earl of Warwick, on March 11th, 1925. At the time of purchase, the painting was thought to have been painted by George Romney, a well-known English painter active during the mid to late 18th century, and was considered to be a self- portrait. Thus the painting was titled in the archive as “Romney and his Father.”

After much research and comparison with authenticated Romney works, a George Romney expert removed the Salisbury House "Double Portrait" from the Romney catalogue of confirmed paintings in 2012. Scholars agree that it is not a Romney, but then the questions arises, who is the painting by and what is the subject mater? Work continues to authenticate and share the story of the “Double Portrait” Make sure to stay tuned for new information!

04/15/2020

During uncertain times there is no better way to shine a little light than to share happy memories and favorite photos! Salisbury House & Gardens invites you to share your photos and memories of time spent in this beautiful English inspired Manor House. Whether it is from 20 years ago or more recent, we welcome you to share your happy times!

Here are two of our favorite photos of the garden during two different seasons. One is fitting for today and the other gives us hope for a beautiful weekend ahead.

04/13/2020

Salisbury House Video Trailer

A brief history of Salisbury House for this Monday morning. For over twenty-five years, the Salisbury House Foundation has been raising money to keep Salisbury House and Gardens open to the public. As a cornerstone for art, culture, and history in Des Moines, it continues to remain one of the last standing historic houses in our community.

To show your support and continue its preservation for years to come, visit our website to make a donation. Any support during this challenging time is greatly appreciated.

04/09/2020

Play the Steinway Piano at Salisbury House

As the surrounding situation has many of us anxious, music has been something many of us turn to when looking to relieve stress, create calm and relax. One of our favorite moments at Salisbury House was when David Ross, a long-time volunteer and tour guide, played our one-of-a-kind Steinway piano in the Common Room. Here's a video to brighten up the day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lckdya_Bpgg

The Steinway Experience allows guests the opportunity to play the custom-made 1930 Steinway piano at Salisbury House by appointment for a small fee. Proceeds...

04/07/2020

Our Garden will be open to the public through April. While the house is closed to the public due to COVID-19, we here at the Salisbury House Foundation invite you to enjoy our garden and white oak woodlands. The Salisbury House south garden was the pride and joy of the Weeks' family and during this difficult time of self-quarantines and social distancing, we would like to provide our community a beautiful sanctuary to visit during this time of stress.

We ask visitors to follow all CDC guidelines, maintaining proper social distance of at least 6 feet apart, and stay home if you are experiencing symptoms. The Garden will
be open from 8am to 7pm every day throughout the month of April. There will be no access to the house or terraces. Please be respectful of our property and refrain from touching any plants or sculptures and smoking is prohibited.

04/01/2020

Explore Salisbury House in 3D

Whether you have been missing your regular visits to Salisbury House or had to cancel a planned visit, this VR tour can give you a look inside our historic home and a glimpse of the beautiful details in each room. We are so grateful to Midwest LifeShots Photography for putting this VR tour together, allowing guests to visit us virtually while we remain closed.

📷: Midwest LifeShots Photography

Matterport 3D Showcase

03/30/2020

Salisbury House will be closed to the public until May 6th.

Salisbury House will remain temporarily closed to the public until Wednesday, May 6th. All events and programming scheduled up to May 6th have been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. Ticket holders have been and will continue to be contacted with the new event information.

The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our top priority. We will continue to re-evaluate our position to follow guidelines set forth by the CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health.

Thank you for your patience during this evolving situation. Updates will be posted on our social media pages and website. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

03/23/2020

We have rescheduled the following public events to the new dates listed below. Please visit our website or Facebook event pages for any additional updates.

Saturday, March 28 - Tea at the Castle (1 - 3 pm): Rescheduled for Saturday, September 12

Friday, April 24 - Murder Mystery Dinner (6 - 9 pm): Rescheduled for Friday, July 31
Currently Sold Out

Sunday, April 19 - HomeDitty Concert – Stone & Snow (7-9 pm): Rescheduled for Sunday, September 27
Tickets on Sale Now! Visit www.salisburyhouse.org to purchase tickets.

03/17/2020

In order to do our part in protecting the health of visitors, members, students, staff, and our community, Salisbury House & Gardens will be closed to the public until Monday, April 6th. We will continue to make decisions based on guidance from the CDC and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this evolving situation. For further updates, please make sure to check our website and social media pages.

03/13/2020

In response to the developing public health impact of COVID-19, 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 due to the current COVID-19 health concerns and direction of national and state health entities. The museum remains open for self-guided tours.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬:
The March 28th Tea will be rescheduled to a later date due to COVID-19 concerns and ticket holders will be notified of the new date. Other events currently scheduled at Salisbury House will continue as planned unless guidance from authorities such as the CDC or local government make specific recommendations or requests of businesses and organizations in the area. Please continue to refer to our website for any changes in scheduled events.

𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞:
Salisbury House remains a safe place to visit and will be open normal operating hours. Here are some of the measures we are taking to ensure the well-being of all who walk through our doors:
* Regularly disinfect surfaces the public touches (such as restroom facilities, railings, etc.)
* Ensuring soap and hand sanitizing dispensers are refilled regularly.
* Encourage everyone to practice healthy habits and ask those who aren’t feeling well to stay home.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates. Thank you for your support!

03/13/2020

Shakespeare on the Lawn (SOTL) at Salisbury House has been suspended for 2020. Much conversation was had by Board and Staff in arriving at this decision. The event requires significant staff effort and financial commitment; these considerations in combination with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 epidemic informed our decision. Our partner, Iowa Stage is considering alternative, smaller scale events to fill this cultural gap in June. Shakespeare On The Lawn at Salisbury House has been a beloved summer tradition for Salisbury House and Iowa Stage Theatre Company and we will continue to provide updates on plans for Iowa Stage Theatre's performance of "Julius Caesar" this summer.

03/12/2020

There will be no afternoon tours today, Thursday March 12th. We will still have our guided tour at 10:30am and then tomorrow (Friday) at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 3:15pm. For more information, please visit our website at www.salisburyhouse.org or call 515-274-1777.

03/07/2020

We have new museum hours! Our new hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:15 p.m. Then Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with guided tours at 1:30 and 3:15 p.m.

03/06/2020

Visit us this weekend to see our new book on display in the library. March through May we will feature Opticks: or, a Treaties of the Reflexions, Refractions, Inflexions and Coulours of Light by Isaac Newton. A first edition, published in 1704, Opticks contains several intricate diagrams about the function of the eye and how light reflects.

Fun facts:
- Opticks was first published in English in 1704 and then republished in Latin in 1706. Publishing this book in English contributed to expanding a science literature vernacular and is still accessible by modern readers.
- This work overturned the theories attributed to Aristotle and was accepted by scholars during Newton’s lifetime.
- Early presentation (pre-publication) of Newton’s Opticks to the Royal Society resulted in a dispute between Newton and the English philosopher, architect and poly-mathematician, Robert Hooke, prompting Newton to postpone the publication of Opticks until after Hooke’s death in 1703.

To see Opticks on display in our library, join one of our guided tours at 10:30am, 1:30pm and 3:15pm on Saturday and 1:30pm and 3:15pm on Sunday. For updated museum hours and information on tours visit our website at www.salisburyhouse.org.

03/03/2020

Watch Iowa PBS tonight to learn about the history and architecture of Salisbury House and other historic buildings in Iowa.

TONIGHT at 6:30: Explore the architecture and history of the Iowa State Capitol, Terrace Hill, The World Food Prize Headquarters, Hoyt Sherman Place and Salisbury House and Gardens on Historic Buildings of Iowa.

02/28/2020

Next week we will be receiving a new book from Grinnell College to put on display in our library so visit us this weekend to see the Book of Mormon, 1st Edition signed by Reuben Brownell while it's still here on display.

The Book of Mormon is the religious text for the Latter Day Saints. First published by Joseph Smith, the religion is based on the belief of ancient prophets who lived in America from 2200 BC to 421 AD. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon was originally engraved on golden plates that the last prophet, Moroni, entrusted to Smith.

Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, 12pm to 4pm with guided tours at 1:30pm. Visit www.salisburyhouse.org for admission pricing and more details.

02/23/2020

If you're in the neighborhood this afternoon stop by and visit us between 12pm and 4pm for a self-guided tour or at 1:30pm for a guided tour. It's going to be a beautiful day to visit one of Des Moines' cultural gems and historic neighborhoods.

02/14/2020

Valentine's Day has us thinking about all the amazing love stories that have been shared with us at Salisbury House.
We offer an array of options for wedding ceremonies, receptions, rehearsal dinners and bridal showers.
To make the beginning of your forever unforgettable, contact Rachel Vaughan at [email protected] or call 515-274-1777.

02/13/2020

Due to extremely cold temperatures today, Salisbury House will be closed. We will be open tomorrow at 12pm with guided tours at 1:30pm.

02/10/2020

🌸 Calling all couples! 🌸 Were you displaced with the sudden closure of Noah’s Event Venue? Salisbury House has a few coveted dates remaining for 2020 and we want to help. For a limited time we are offering 10% off our base rental rate to anyone affected by the Noah’s closure. To take advantage of this offer, contact Rachel Vaughan at [email protected] or call 515-274-1777 💍

Offer valid for any wedding/event rebooked from Noah’s for a contracted 2020 date. Must provide proof of voided agreement. 10% discount offer ends February 29, 2020.

02/04/2020

We often talk about the history of the collection and the house, but did you know how the Weeks built their fortune to build such a beautiful home? Carl Weeks started a company, Armand Cosmetics, that developed foundation makeup by combining cold cream and face powder. During the 1920s, Armand Cosmetics was a larger cosmetics manufacturer than Revlon.

To learn more about the Weeks family, visit us for a guided tour Thursday through Sunday at 1:30pm.

01/30/2020

Do you love history? Do you appreciate art? Are you interested in unique architecture? Visit us today for a guided tour at 1:30pm with David or Cory and learn about the collection and the history of each item. For more information visit www.salisburyhouse.org.

01/27/2020

Children love to visit a castle and learn about its history, art and unique details. Salisbury House is one of the only places in the state that can provide this learning experience. If you’re part of a homeschool program and are looking for educational field trips or tours, thanks to Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack & Hotel we offer free homeschool student admission and discounted parent admission through the 2020 school year. For more information or to schedule a tour contact [email protected] or call 515-274-1777.

01/19/2020

Salisbury House will he closed today due to low temperatures. We will resume our normal museum hours and guided tours on Thursday.

01/17/2020

Salisbury House will be closed today, the 17th and tomorrow, the 18th with hours pending for Sunday.

01/17/2020

We have our new climate-controlled, secure display case from Grinnell College in the library with our first book on display through the lending program between Grinnell College and Salisbury House. Each quarter, Grinnell College will loan Salisbury House a new book or document to display in the library and, as they continue their preservation and research, share with us information regarding the loaned book and rest of the collection.

This quarter we have on display the Book of Mormon, 1st Edition that is signed by Reuben Brownell. The Book of Mormon is the religious text for the Latter Day Saints. First published by Joseph Smith, the religion is based on the belief of ancient prophets who lived in America from 2200 BC to 421 AD. Mormons believe that the Book of Mormon was originally engraved on golden plates that the last prophet, Moroni, entrusted to Smith.

Fun facts:
-As of 2011, more than 150 million copies of the Book of Mormon have been printed
-The Book of Mormon has been translated into at least 111 languages
-The first completed manuscript was placed into the cornerstone of the Nauvoo House (a boarding house Joseph Smith began constructing in 1840) and sealed up for nearly forty years – when the cornerstone was reopened it was discovered that much of the original manuscript had been destroyed by water and mold.

Make sure to join the Salisbury House email list and connect via social media for updates on when new books will arrive.

01/16/2020

David and Jacquie will lead our guided tours at 1:30pm today. Join them to learn about the history and unique architecture of the Salisbury House.
Check our website for more information on our guided tours.
www.salisburyhouse.org

01/10/2020

Did you know that Carl Weeks made his fortune with the invention of women’s foundation makeup (i.e. cold cream powder)? By the 1930’s, his company, Armand, was the leading seller of women’s cosmetics in the United States. These pink, blue, and white checked packages with a silhouette of a woman became the Armand trademark and were on the shelves of nearly every pharmacy.

Learn more about the history of Carl and Edith Weeks and the dream home they built together by joining one of our guided tours. Guided tours run at 1:30pm Thursday through Sunday. Today's tour will be led by Mariella and Jill, tomorrow will be Cathy and Dick, and Sunday will be led by Dallas.

For more information on tours and museum hours visit www.salisburyhouse.org.

01/08/2020

If you’re part of a homeschool program and are looking for educational field trips or tours, don't forget about our homeschool program here at Salisbury House. Thanks to @prairie_meadows free homeschool student admission and discounted parent admission are available through the school year by contacting [email protected] or call 515-274-1777.
#salisburyhousedsm #education #artsandculture

01/06/2020

We had a great time at the Des Moines Wedding Show yesterday! If you were unable to attend and would like more information on how Salisbury House can be the perfect venue for your wedding, shower or rehearsal dinner, contact [email protected].

01/06/2020

Salisbury House and Gardens's cover photo