Mathias Ham Historic Site will Celebrate Grand Reopening at Annual Audrey Hammer 4th of July Ice Cream Social
DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Mathias Ham Historic Site marks the completion of a multiyear restoration with a special open house held in conjunction with the annual Audrey Hammer 4th of July Ice Cream Social on Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m as a grand reopening. After an extensive, community-supported restoration, the historic home reopens its doors with a new vision that blends Victorian-era luxury with thought-provoking stories and modern relevance.
The Independence Day celebration invites guests of all ages to enjoy a day of family fun. Returning favorites include The Americana Band, cannon demonstrations, cake and, of course, ice cream. Victorian games and crafts will take place throughout the day, along with live demonstrations such as spinning, laundry and cannon-fire. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chair to enjoy the outdoor activities, and various food trucks will be onsite.
With restoration now complete, guided public tours of the home will once again be available. While staying grounded in historical accuracy, much of the restoration work (2023-2026) focused on the interior of the home like plasterwork and painting, to windows and doors and all the elements between from fixtures to moldings. Every room has been reconceptualized to reflect community stories, expand inclusive narratives of Dubuque County history and encourage visitors to consider how the past connects to their lives today.
New features include expanded and inclusive stories that offer a broader perspective on the region's culture and its people, interactive rooms, and behind-the-scenes access that reveal how the curatorial team preserves the collection and manages a historic house. Those who stop in on the Fourth will get first opportunity to see an architectural surprise unearthed during the restoration, and experience the 360-degree panoramic view of the belvedere, now reopened to visitors. First-floor access and a renovated restroom now make the site accessible to more guests.
“We are thrilled to reopen this historic landmark with a more modern meaning,” said Ceci Cornejo, Mathias Ham Historic Site lead. “The community has worked tirelessly to restore an important piece of regional history while our staff worked diligently to reimagine these spaces to connect and benefit the community with hybrid spaces. These hybrid spaces will allow visitors to be immersed with history and storytelling like never before seen at the Ham House.”
Rather than focusing solely on Mathias Ham, guided tours use the mansion itself as a storytelling vessel that reflects historical societal norms, shifting cultural values, environmental influence, and regional and national events. Guests explore how the Mississippi River and surrounding natural resources influenced settlement, trade and daily life, and how those same resources helped shape the growth of Dubuque.
Following the reopening, guided public tours will begin Sunday, July 5, and run Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a maximum of 15 people per tour. Tours are offered on the half-hour, with the last tour beginning at 3:30 p.m.
The restoration earned recognition this year when the Dubuque Historic Preservation Commission presented the Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Award to the project at the Mathias Ham House for outstanding preservation achievements. Restoration partners include the Jeffris Family Foundation Grant, the City of Dubuque, Heritage Works, Stickley Morton Architects and GRONEN.
“We hope to continue expanding what is possible for the Mathias Ham Historic site in the coming months and years while keeping true to our mission and community,” said Cornejo.
Free-will donations will be accepted at the Ice Cream Social, with proceeds benefiting the Site. All of the details, including the lineup of food trucks and activities, can be found at rivermuseum.org/events.