Harlan-Lincoln House

Harlan-Lincoln House The Harlan-Lincoln House is the former home of Iowa Senator James Harlan

One week away from our guest lecture! We hope to see you there!
05/30/2026

One week away from our guest lecture!

We hope to see you there!

The stereoscope was invented not long after the development of print film in the Nineteenth Century. They use cards with...
05/22/2026

The stereoscope was invented not long after the development of print film in the Nineteenth Century. They use cards with two pictures side by side, each with slightly different perspectives that create a three-dimensional illusion when looked at through a set of eyelets.

The example we have at the Harlan-Lincoln House is known as a “sweetheart box,” and would allow for a pair of observers to spend an evening together, looking at various photos of places both near and far. It was like virtual reality in the Victorian Era!

Why don’t you come by and take a look at some of our recreation photos on display?

This week, we had the pleasure of giving tours to nearly 130 8th graders. It was great to be able to share our slice of ...
05/01/2026

This week, we had the pleasure of giving tours to nearly 130 8th graders. It was great to be able to share our slice of local history with so many young minds!

We are always happy to work with educators or organization leaders to provide a closer look at the history of the Harlan-Lincoln family and their ties to Mount Pleasant.

Last week, The Red Flag Motor Tour board expressed their gratitude for the friendliness they received from Henry County ...
04/17/2026

Last week, The Red Flag Motor Tour board expressed their gratitude for the friendliness they received from Henry County by distributing their remaining funds to Dover Museum, Henry County Heritage Trust, Lewelling Quaker Museum, and Harlan-Lincoln House.

We are extremely grateful for this donation which will help us fund future programs and projects!

Pictured (from left to right): David Diers of West Branch, Mark Hempen of New London, Jeff Kruger of Mount Pleasant, and Bart Cumins, also from West Branch. Also pictured: HLH Board Members Lynn Elsworth and Marlene De Priest, who received that day.

Today is the 89th anniversary of the passing of Mary Harlan-Lincoln. As was often the case at the time for famous women,...
03/31/2026

Today is the 89th anniversary of the passing of Mary Harlan-Lincoln. As was often the case at the time for famous women, Mary was publicly defined and remembered by the men in her life. And while it is true that her family was filled with many great men within the American pantheon, we should not forget her wit, love of life and parties, and her maternal care to three children.

From the April 3rd edition Mount Pleasant News: "A link to a past era was broken in Washington with the death of [Mary Harlan-Lincoln] at the age of ninety years."

It was because of Mary's decision to give the house of her late-father to Iowa Wesleyan University that we still have the house today. If you want to walk where she, her husband, and her children once were, we hope you will visit the Harlan-Lincoln House the next time you are in the area.

One of our most treasured and unique artifacts in our collection is this oddly shaped door. Other than its peculiar dime...
03/20/2026

One of our most treasured and unique artifacts in our collection is this oddly shaped door. Other than its peculiar dimensions, this door features the heights of the three Harlan-Lincoln grandchildren, Mary (Mamie), Abraham Jr. (Jack), and Jessie.

Today the door has been painted in order to make the markings much clearer, but it didn't always look like this. Durning renovations of the house in the 1950s, it was almost disposed of. Fortunately, an acute eye caught the writing, understood its significance, and preserved the door for us to enjoy today.

Please don't throw away an opportunity to visit the Harlan-Lincoln House to see this and many other artifacts linked to the family. We are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2PM to 4PM, or by appointment with 48 hours of notice. To schedule a tour, please visit: https://harlanlincoln.org/tours

The Harlan-Lincoln family loved to host parties. Pictured here are just two examples of the invitations which were sent ...
03/13/2026

The Harlan-Lincoln family loved to host parties. Pictured here are just two examples of the invitations which were sent from Mary Harlan-Lincoln, wife of Robert Todd Lincoln, for an evening party in the fall of 1895.

On display at the Harlan-Lincoln House are multiple examples of the dishes, flatware, and other dinner party essentials from the family. We hope you will accept our invitation to visit the Harlan-Lincoln House the next time you are in Mount Pleasant!

Some of the most precious items in our collection come in quite small sizes. Here is a small bag, hand made by Jessie Li...
03/06/2026

Some of the most precious items in our collection come in quite small sizes. Here is a small bag, hand made by Jessie Lincoln, granddaughter of James Harlan and Abraham Lincoln. It is said that this bag was made out of old gowns once belonging to her grandmother, Mary Todd Lincoln. After the Harlan-Lincolns left their Mt. Pleasant residence for good at the start of the 20th century, trunks full of gowns were found in the attic. This bag was among those treasures.

We hope you'll come and see this and many other Harlan-Lincoln family belongings. Although, we do ask that you not try to repurpose any of the artifacts, unlike Jessie.

Thank you everyone for a wonderful turn out at our President's Day event last week!Thank you especially to Ethan Afshani...
02/28/2026

Thank you everyone for a wonderful turn out at our President's Day event last week!

Thank you especially to Ethan Afshani for taking the time to share with us all of your wonderful work in retelling and preserving stories from the past.

Be sure to follow our page to be the first to hear about all of our future events!

05/31/2023

Effective June 1st, the Harlan-Lincoln House will be closed until further notice. We will not be able to be contacted via email or phone.

Thank you to everyone who has visited, explored, and learned with us. While the future is uncertain, we remain hopeful all the same.

Address

101 W Broad Street
Mount Pleasant, IA
52641

Opening Hours

Wednesday 2pm - 4pm
Saturday 2pm - 4pm

Website

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