Mathias Ham Historic Site

Explore Dubuque’s rich history at our unique historic site. Owned and operated by the Dubuque County Historical Society and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this historic property includes the Mathias Ham House, Iowa's oldest log cabin, the Humke Schoolhouse from Centralia, and a historic granary.

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. Scroll this page to explore the site and purchase tickets!

Tickets & Pricing

Site is currently closed for season and open for special events only.

Adults: $7.50
Youth (Ages 3-17): $4.00
Children 2 and under admitted free.
Receive a free parking voucher for Eagle Point Park with admission to the Mathias Ham Historic Site!

Admission is free to members of the Dubuque County Historical Society. Group rates are available.

Fans of the Paranormal - A Disclaimer

Please know that the Ham Site does not provide ghost tours; regardless of what you may have read through a web search. There have been many tall tales that have taken root over the years, however, the Dubuque County Historical Society and its staff do not take stock in these stories. We'd love to interpret the history of the Ham Site, but we leave the rest to speculation.

Location

The Mathias Ham Historic Site
2241 Lincoln Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001

Hours & Tours

Site is currently closed for the season; however, the Site will be open for special public events through the fall and winter. See upcoming activities and events for more details.

The 1856 Mathias Ham Historic Site is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Wednesdays through Sundays.
Hours are 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. (last tour begins at 3:30 P.M.)

The Mathias Ham House is also available for field trips, group visits and private functions at any time by appointment. For field trips and group tours, contact Melissa Wersinger at 563-557-9545 or mwersinger@rivermuseum.com. For all other questions, contact Victoria Cote, Historic Site Coordinator, at 563-557-9545 or vcote@rivermuseum.com for more information.

historic site faq

Upcoming Ham Site Activities & Events

Sundays Summer of 2019 - Picnics

The staff of the Ham Site invite you and your family to pack a picnic lunch and spread your blanket on the Ham Site grounds any Sunday during our season. The grounds are open to the public and cost nothing. Children can explore the school, log cabin, and miner's dwelling.

Sundays Summer of 2019 - Crafts

Look for a new craft the first Sunday of each month during our summer season! Crafts are just $5 each and guests do not require admission to the Ham Site. Crafts begin at noon and are available while supplies last.

July 4, 2019 - 56th Annual Ice Cream Social

Free tours of the Mathias Ham House; historic games, activities and demonstrations; cannon fire; and great food for purchase! Join us on the Fourth of July for some good old fashioned fun!

September 21, 2019 - Smithsonian Museum Day

Mathias Ham House

This stately country villa stands today as a living reflection of its wealthy builder, Mathias Ham. One of Dubuque’s earliest entrepreneurs, Ham buillt his estate in 1856 with money from his successful lead mining endeavors.

Inside the home, elegant American and European furnishings exemplify the opulent Victorian lifestyle of a booming river town. John F. Rague designed this distinctive example of the Italian Villa style of architecture. As architect for the Old State Capitols of Illinois and Iowa, Rague’s buildings were known for their monumental scale and elegance.

Settler’s Cabin – Iowa’s Oldest Standing Building

The 1833 settler’s log cabin is Iowa’s oldest standing building, and was originally located in downtown Dubuque. It was relocated to Eagle Point Park in the early 20^th century and moved to the grounds of the Mathias Ham Historic Site in the 1960s.

One Room Schoolhouse

The Humke Schoolhouse is originally from Centralia in Dubuque County.

At the Lead Mines

Dubuque was once the center of a nationally significant lead mining phenomenon. People came from all over the country to mine lead, and the At the Lead Mines area of the Mathias Ham Historic Site recreates the interior of a lead mine and a badger hole (a lead miner’s shelter).