Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
Marshall Cohen—researcher and producer, CNN
Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
OLD HOUSE ENTHUSIASTS' CLUB
OLD HOUSE ENTHUSIASTS CLUB. Old House Enthusiasts, a non-profit organization, promoted historical preservation, conservation, education, and awareness not only of the old homes in Dubuque, but of multi-family, business, and public buildings. As a group, the organization expressed deep concern that Dubuque not forfeit another beautiful home or building to the wrecking ball. Members actually picketed to save the American Trust Building on the corner of 9th and Locust, only to have the building eventually demolished.
Dubuque had one of the largest collections of old homes in the Midwest at one time. Not only the large, Victorian “painted ladies” that adorn many of the bluffs, as well as the elite neighborhoods of the city, but also the common and everyday homes that housed the workers of Dubuque for over a hundred years, as well as today. All old structures are a part of our community and these buildings have become a part of our history. From a public purpose, a family purpose, or a parochial purpose, the organization looked to these buildings to show what their ancestors had experienced and what had shaped their futures and personalities in everyday life. This is a testament of our history in the future. If city officials would have listened to the Old House Enthusiasts’ pleas; preservation and restoration would have been started in the 1980s.
The idea for Old House Enthusiasts goes back to TRUSS AND BUTTRESS SOCIETY which was active in Dubuque from 1983 – 1986. The group had several house tours in that time period. Old House Enthusiasts itself was established in 1984 with a lot of impetus from Frances and Ruth Brockman who had a row house in Dubuque, which they renovated, and a great love for older buildings in Dubuque. The actual club was formed in 1985, and met monthly to exchange ideas about the challenges of owning an older home. Each meeting usually included a guest speaker or program with time to trade old house project techniques and stories and ended with refreshments and time to talk and mingle with other members. A bonus was to tour the building where the meeting was held and learn its history.
Old House Enthusiasts’ goal was to encourage others to restore or support restoration projects and enjoy and appreciate the beauty of Dubuque’s old architecture and history. Members offered their services and advise. The first annual house tour was held in 1987 during River Fest in September. It included 3 houses and the DUBUQUE STAR BREWING COMPANY. The tour was eventually switched to May to coincide with Dubuque Fest. Most of the tours were Saturday-Sunday events and participants numbered in the 700s to over 1,200 people. Months of preparation went into each tour and with the help of many volunteers made them successful. Each tour served as a fundraiser. A portion of the proceeds went toward grants, some went to the home owners, and some was start- up money for the next year’s tour. Each home owner was also given a beautiful pen and ink drawing of their home by local artist, Alan Ford. Grants were given out competitively to worthwhile projects and programs that promoted the preservation of Dubuque’s architecture and history. Those organizations receiving monies from Old House Enthusiasts’ tours included FOUR MOUNDS, CARNEGIE-STOUT PUBLIC LIBRARY, The OLD JAIL Art Museum, GRAND OPERA HOUSE, Dubuque Historical Society, EAGLE POINT PARK, ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL, The HAM HOUSE Museum, St. Mary’s Community Center, and The Shot Tower Renovation Fund. The 31st tour held in 2018 was the last.
Declining membership in the organization including a lack of officers, chairpersons, and committee members sadly caused the organization to dissolve in 2020. Members to the end were Dick Vorwald, Diane Schulz, Chris Keister, Tom and Cinda Welu, Chris Olson, Louise Thurn, Phyllis Lee, and Kurt Barrons. Our slogan “To keep the Best of the Past Alive” will live on as a hope for future generations to continue to treasure the architectural riches we have here in Dubuque, Iowa.
Contributed by Diane Schulz
1987 House Tour
1988 House Tour
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