Directions
2241 Lincoln Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Accessible parking is available off-street along Shiras Avenue.
General Admission Prices
Recieve a FREE parking voucher for Eagle Poiunt Park with admission to the Mathais Ham Historic Site!
| Member | Non-Member | |
| Adult | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Youth (Ages 3-17) *Children 2 and under are free | $7.00 | $9.00 |
| Seniors (65+) | $8.00 | $10.00 |
Hours of Operation
Only scheduled event through July 4, 2026
July 5-September 6, 2026
11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Fridays-Sundays | Last tour at 3:00 P.M.
September 7 - October 31, 2026
11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Saturdays Only | Last tour at 3:00 P.M.
*Tours will be given on the half-hour. There is a maximum of 15 people per tour
Pioneer Days
Experience life as a pioneer at the Mathias Ham Historic Site! As you journey from one landmark to the next, you won't just observe history—you'll live it. Try your hand at the daily tasks that kept pioneer life humming: scrub clothes on a washboard, grind corn into biscuit-ready meal, or gather your slate and schoolbooks before heading off to class.
Our costumed interpreters provide a tour of the grounds along with your choice of three activities. Each activity is approximately 30 minutes.
Tour of the House and Grounds
Learn about the history of the Mathias Ham House and the grounds surrounding it. You will have a guided tour of the house and all the exhibits around the grounds, including the one-room schoolhouse, log cabin, and lead mine. this tour will last approximately two hours.
FAQs
Is the Mathias Ham Historic Site wheelchair accessible?
Yes and no. The grounds are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately, only the gift store and the first floor of the Mathias Ham House are accessible for wheelchairs.
Does the site discuss the history and manufacturing of ham? Can I buy a ham? How do you reheat cooked ham?
We get this question a lot! What’s in a name? For Mathias Ham, it was not ham. While we would like to make a connection between Ham and ham, it is not meant to be. But, please bake at 325°F until internal temperature reads 140°F for USDA-inspected cooked hams and all others at 165° according to USDA Ham & Food Safety.
Can I tour the Mathias Ham Historic Site with a stroller?
The grounds are stroller friendly. However, the Ham House was not designed for easy stroller use. Please consider leaving strollers behind. Visitors also have the option of checking their strollers at the main entrance, but please remember the museum cannot be responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Can I take photographs or film at the Mathias Ham Historic Site?
Visitors are welcome to take photographs of the exterior of the house, and anywhere on the grounds. Within the Mathias Ham House, photos will be limited to designated photo spots.
If you are interested in using either the Humke School House or the Mathias Ham House as a backdrop or “set” for portraits, artistic photography, or a film please contact the Historic Site Manager at 563-557-9545 x212 for availability.
Is the Mathias Ham Historic Site haunted?
Wouldn’t that be cool! The tales of hauntings are debunked as people have come forward that they are the origins of the eerie screams or lights in the dark. It’s a case of early trespassers scaring themselves rather than a poltergeist. Please note that the Dubuque County Historical Society and its staff do not provide ghost tours or access for paranormal investigators. We'd love to interpret the history of the Ham Site, but we leave the rest to speculation.