People
Three families owned the Brucemore estate between 1884 and 1981 - the Sinclairs, the Douglases, and the Halls. The families of Brucemore each reflected and influenced the community in which they lived.
They were business and social leaders in a century that saw an important evolution of the Midwest. The changes they made to their estate, the impact they had on their community, and the stories they left behind shape our understanding of modern Cedar Rapids, eastern Iowa, and the American Midwest.
The Sinclair Family
Caroline Soutter Sinclair, the estate's first owner, built the Mansion between 1884 and 1886 as a home for her six children.
The Douglas Family
The Douglas family had a profound influence on the industrial and cultural development of Cedar Rapids.
The Hall Family
Margaret and Howard Hall, the last residents of the Brucemore Mansion, brought a modern sense of style and a whimsical spirit to the estate.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation
In 1981, Margaret Hall left her family estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for the benefit of her community.
