Salisbury House

Salisbury House is a 42-room architectural wonder built in Des Moines, Iowa between 1923 and 1928 by pioneer cosmetics magnate, Carl Weeks and his wife Edith. The house and estate is modeled after the King's House in Salisbury, England and features a 42-room estate surrounded by manicured gardens and eight acres of natural woodlands. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for its local and architectural significance at the state level in 1977. In 1993, the Salisbury House Foundation was established. It acquired the property with the intent to transform it into a permanent community resource as a historical house museum. Today, Salisbury House Foundation is a leader in the local arts and culture community and engages thousands of local and international visitors in enriching cultural experiences through guided tours, community events, and educational programs.

The mission of Salisbury House is to preserve, interpret and share the international significance of the house and its collections as a historic house museum for the educational and cultural benefit and enjoyment of the public.

Each year, Salisbury House Foundation connects an average of 15,000 individuals from across the nation to arts and culture programming at the historic Salisbury mansion. We seek to engage local organizations in creative partnerships, provide enriching cultural experiences for all of our guests, and enhance the vibrancy of arts and culture in the Greater Des Moines area.