Des Moines Community History and Culture: Salisbury House & Gardens

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libraryToo cold outside for water parks and nature trails? Have no fear there are still plenty of things to do in Des Moines. Des Moines is a trove of history, art, and culture. If this is the sort of thing that interests you, your Des Moines dentist, Dr. Stephen Burds, suggests visiting the recently restored Salisbury House & Gardens.

What: Salisbury House & Gardens

Where: 4024 Tonawanda Drive, Des Moines, IA 50312

When: Tuesday through Saturday 10AM to 5PM; Sunday Noon to 5PM

Admission: Self-guided tours: Adults $8; Seniors (65+) $7; Youth (6 to 12) $2; Guided-tours: Adults $12; Seniors (65+) $11; Youth (6 to 12) $3

About

A home and collection of art built by Carl and Edith Weeks, the Salisbury House & Gardens is a one-of-a-kind historic, museum house featuring remarkable architecture and housing fine art, rare books, historic documents, international decorative art and musical instruments, and a library that brings history to life. The library features 3,000 rare edition books including hand-illuminated 13th Century psalteries, 60 bibles (including a leaf from the original Gutenberg Bible), a first edition Book of Mormon, and an 18th Century Qu’ran. It also houses manuscripts, books, and documents written or signed by authors and historical figures including:

  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Ernest Hemingway
  • James Joyce
  • Charles Dickens
  • Queen Elizabeth I
  • Joseph Smith
  • D.H. Lawrence
  • William Faulkner

Art

Building a collection for future generations to enjoy, Carl and Edith Weeks lined their halls with paintings from renowned and upcoming artists. They supported the careers of such 1920s artists as Lillian Genth who painted a portrait of Edith Weeks, and Joseph Stella from who they commissioned “Apotheosis of the Rose” and “The Birth of Venus.”   Works of art are on display from other artists including:

  • Anthony Van Dyck
  • Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
  • Sir Thomas Lawrence
  • Jean Despujol
  • George Romney
  • Eduard Charlemont
  • John Carroll
  • Leon Kroll

To learn more visit: http://salisburyhouse.org/

About your Des Moines Dentist

Contact your Des Moines dentist by calling Gateway Dental Group at (515) 244-9565. We welcome patients from River Bend, Kirkwood Glen, East Village, and neighboring communities.