Directions
2241 Lincoln Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Accessible parking is available off-street along Shiras Avenue.
Hours of Operation
Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day
May 27 – Sept. 4, 2023
11:00 A.M. – 4:00 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays
Admission
There are two ways to explore the house. Costumed interpreters provide guided tours of the site, sharing the rich history of Mathias Ham, the city of Dubuque, life on the Mississippi River, and life during the Victorian era.
Receive a free parking voucher for Eagle Point Park with admission to the Mathias Ham Historic Site!
Admission is FREE to members of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, a property of the Dubuque County Historical Society. Group rates are available.
Self-Guided Tours
Adults: $7.50
Youth (Ages 3-17): $4.00
Children 2 and under are admitted free
Guided Tours
Adults: $9.00
Youth (Ages 3-17): $6.00
FAQs
Is the Mathias Ham Historic Site wheelchair accessible?
Yes and no. The grounds are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately, only the gift store and the first floor of the Mathias Ham House are accessible for wheelchairs.
Does the site discuss the history and manufacturing of ham? Can I buy a ham? How do you reheat cooked ham?
We get this question a lot! What’s in a name? For Mathias Ham, it was not ham. While we would like to make a connection between Ham and ham, it is not meant to be. But, please bake at 325°F until internal temperature reads 140°F for USDA-inspected cooked hams and all others at 165° according to USDA Ham & Food Safety.
Can I tour the Mathias Ham Historic Site with a stroller?
The grounds are stroller friendly. However, the Ham House was not designed for easy stroller use. Please consider leaving strollers behind. Visitors also have the option of checking their strollers at the main entrance, but please remember the museum cannot be responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Can I take photographs or film at the Mathias Ham Historic Site?
Visitors are welcome to take photographs of the exterior of the house, and anywhere on the grounds. Within the Mathias Ham House, photos will be limited to designated photo spots.
If you are interested in using either the Humke School House or the Mathias Ham House as a backdrop or “set” for portraits, artistic photography, or a film please contact the Historic Site Manager at 563-557-9545 x212 for availability.
Is the Mathias Ham Historic Site haunted?
Wouldn’t that be cool! The tales of hauntings are debunked as people have come forward that they are the origins of the eerie screams or lights in the dark. It’s a case of early trespassers scaring themselves rather than a poltergeist. Please note that the Dubuque County Historical Society and its staff do not provide ghost tours or access for paranormal investigators. We'd love to interpret the history of the Ham Site, but we leave the rest to speculation.