Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Mansion |
Source |
Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation |
Iowa History Era Tag |
Prosperity to the Depression (1897-1939) |
Chronological Tag |
The Emergence of Modern America (1890-1930) |
Catalog Number |
2018.003.003 |
Credit line |
Hoyt Sherman Place Foundation - Des Moines, Iowa |
Description |
Photo of the Hoyt Sherman Place as it appeared in 1920. Previously in 1893, the home was rented out by Hoyt Sherman to the Sisters of Mercy of Davenport and became the first Mercy Hospital, where the home held 52 beds (23 rooms and 4 private rooms) and was in operation for close to two years. In 1907, The Des Moines Women's Club took over the house and helped turn it into the first public art museum in Des Moines. Photographs of the home's modern interior are also attached. Content can be used with the following standards: SS 3.28 Iowans Cultural Contributions and SS 9-12.24 Iowans Influence Iowa Environment. Accessions of photos of the Sara Sherman's gown, the Sherman dining room and Hoyt Sherman's photo, can be included with this photo of the exterior of the house to form a lesson on upper class culture in the Victorian era and how it compared with lower class. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions. |
Additional Research & Sources |
Built in the Gothic style by architect Wiliam Foster, a popular and expensive architect of the late 1800s, the house was considered one of the nicer homes in the city. After the Sherman family turned the home over to the Des Moines Women's Club in 1907, it was transformed into their clubhouse. Speakers including Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller and Grant Wood visited the house and a new art gallery (1907) as well as a theater were installed (1923). Becoming one of Des Moines' top places to entertain, the home continues to house the Women's Club and has become a center for musical and theater performances. |
Notes on Related Objects |
Object is related to the following library resources, which can be found by searching the catalog number in the advanced search section: Catalog #: 2018.045.051- Des Moines, Together with the History of Polk County 2018.045.098- Centennial History of Polk County, Iowa 2018.045.137- Biographies and Portraits of the Progressive Men of Iowa 2018.045.187- The Biographical Dictionary of Iowa |
Primary/Secondary Source |
Significant - Local |
County Tag |
Polk |
People |
Sherman, Hoyt Sherman, Sara |
Multimedia Links |
Click here to view/hear the file. Click here to view/hear the file. Click here to view/hear the file. |
Search Terms |
Arts & Culture Cities Cultural Events Destinations/Attractions People Performing Arts Visual Arts |
Legal Status |
Ownership of this resource is held by the Hoyt Sherman Place and has been provided here for educational purposes only, specifically for use in the Iowa Museum Association's "Teaching Iowa History" project. It may not be downloaded, reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission from the Rights Holder. For information on U.S. and International copyright laws, consult an attorney. |
