Brucemore

Margaret Douglas Hall envisioned her home as a public historic site and a place for a broad range of community activity. To insure local control, Mrs. Hall required a separate non-profit organization to operate the site in co-stewardship with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Brucemore Inc., was established in 1981 and is governed by a 15-member Board of Trustees. Brucemore's mission is...to engage the public in the history, traditions, resources and on-going preservation of Brucemore for the enrichment of the community. Brucemore's vision statement is...to be a premier National Trust Site through excellence in stewardship, education, preservation and programming for the benefit of the community.

The basic visitor experience is the guided tour of the mansion. The interpretive period is from 1915 to 1925 during the Douglas years. In addition to discussing the families, guides incorporate such themes as the experiences of servants, technology, arts and music, and life on a country estate.

Brucemore is alive with numerous events throughout the year. "Classics at Brucemore" presents classic theatre in an outdoor amphitheatre while "Bluesmore" attracts thousands to a blues festival on the First Avenue lawn. A garden show, holiday open houses, children's activities, garden walks, plant sale, concerts, lectures, workshops, and educational programs are scheduled during the year. Non-profit organizations and Corporate Members of Brucemore are eligible to utilize the estate for their exempt purposes.

Brucemore is a hub for cultural, philanthropic, and educational activities for Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa. Its community can call Brucemore "home."