FOUR MOUNDS

Four Mounds remains one of the most fascinating estates in Dubuque.

FOUR MOUNDS. Four Mounds, the last remaining intact GENTLEMAN'S FARM in Iowa, was bequeathed to the City of Dubuque upon the death of Elizabeth Adams Burden in 1982. Four Mounds Foundation was founded as a non-profit organization in 1987 as a means to preserve the historic Four Mounds estate and make it available to the public for a variety of educational uses.

The estate consists of about 60 acres of bluffland along the MISSISSIPPI RIVER, comprised of cultured grounds, historic gardens, woodlands, prairie and a rare oak savanna. The 17 buildings that make up the estate are residential, farm, recreational and support structures for the site.

The Burdens in a car at the Grey House. Photo courtesy: Chris Olson.

The site is focused around the historic Grey House, a 1908 ARTS AND CRAFTS ARCHITECTURE mansion designed by the Chicago architect Lawrence Buck. The grounds were planned out by Chicago landscape architect A. Phelps Wyman. Many buildings on the estate's farm campus were built between 1908 and 1911, including the barn/garage, chauffeur’s house, gardener's house and the root cellar. George A. BURDEN and his wife Viola developed this gentleman's farm in the country outside Dubuque in order to raise their children, George R. BURDEN and Viola. The Burdens were able to enjoy a country lifestyle, with downtown Dubuque accessible through the use of their automobile, allowing Mr. Burden to commute to work on a daily basis.

George R. Burden married Elizabeth Adams, the daughter of John Taylor ADAMS in 1924 and the second primary residence, the White House, was built for them. The architect of the White House is unknown, but it is in a traditional Colonial Revival style and always featured its signature white clapboards, columns and interior trim. The Burdens raised their three girls, Frindy, Vidie and Betsy, in the White House. Mrs. Burden occupied the home and the estate until her death.

The Burdens would not have been able to maintain Four Mounds without the help of dedicated, long-term employees. At the time of Elizabeth's death in 1982, she still had full-time, live-in staff. These people worked hard but were looked on as part of the Four Mounds family. The Heitzmans (gardeners and caretakers) lived in the lower yellow house (or Gardener's House) for six decades. Milton Kirch, the chauffeur, lived in and worked out of the upper yellow house (Chauffeur’s House) for over thirty years. He and his wife raised their three children there. Mildred or “Mo” Hahlen supervised the White House and was the cook to Bill Burden’s family for over 50 years. The Burden children said she was like a second mother to them. Hannah Driscoll played the same role at the Grey House for over 40 years. Interpretive signs highlighting the history of Four Mounds have been installed throughout the Grounds.

Contemporary uses of the site includes being open 365 days a year as a city park, hiking trails overlooking the Mississippi River, and a Challenge Ropes Course. The main buildings are operated as an Inn & Conference Center and the Four Mounds Foundation has a mission and history of using the site to benefit youth, the community and at-risk populations.

The White House, Four Mounds Estate, 4900 Peru Road, was built in 1924 for George R. “Bill” and Elizabeth Burden, this modest Colonial Revival Style structure was home to the Burdens and their three daughters. The home was occupied from 1925 to Mrs. Burden’s death in 1982, when the 60 acre estate was bequeathed to the City of Dubuque in order that it be made available to the public for educational uses. (1)

The White House is one of a number of buildings at the former gentleman’s farm, now Four Mounds Estate. The house overlooks the Mississippi River. Playhouses and a small swimming pool for the children were built alongside it. A beautiful rock garden and potting shed tended by Elizabeth, and a wood shop for Bill were also built immediately nearby. (2)

The site is owned by the City of Dubuque and Four Mounds Foundation is entirely responsible for its management and fundraising. The rehabilitation project started in the late 1990s and was completed in December of 2011. The pipes in the house had broken over the years and severe damage had taken place. The plaster systems were restored, the mechanical portions were all updated, air conditioning was installed, lead paint was removed, the cedar roof was replaced, and the windows were restored. With the exception replacing one of the children’s bathrooms with an adult bathroom, no interior changes were made. Some non-historic windows on the second floor porch were re-created to the original design. (3)

With the conclusion of the White House restoration, the building is now open to the public for the first time in its history. It is a contributing piece to the Four Mounds experience and interpretation. The Four Mounds Estate is listed on the City of Dubuque historic register as a Local Landmark as well as the National Register of Historic Places. (4)

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Source:

1. "10th Annual Ken Kringle Historic Preservation Awards Announced," News Release, City of Dubuque, Online: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2759

2. Ibid.

3. Ibid.

4. Ibid.

Four Mounds: http://www.fourmounds.org/.

"Four Mounds Estate," http://weblink.cityofdubuque.org/WebLink8/1/doc/28651/Page26.aspx