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Brucemore Announces 2024 Events & Tours 

January 19th, 2024
Posted By Jennifer Beall

Brucemore is excited to announce our event and tour schedule for 2024! This will include the return of beloved programs, along with the introduction of new events, that will give you the chance to connect with friends, enjoy the outdoors, relax under the stars, and create summer memories.  

Artisan Studio Series 

Launched in October 2019, the Artisan Studio was inspired by the families who lived at Brucemore and their strong tradition of supporting the arts in their community. The Artisan Studio series brings emerging artists to Brucemore to develop their talents with Artisan-in-Residence Gerard Estella. The 2024 program will expand upon the Studio’s core crafts of music and songwriting by fostering talent from artists in other disciplines. 

The artists selected for the 2024 cohort will be announced in February.  

Live from the Artisan Studio 

New for 2024, Live from the Artisan Studio will look beyond the art to get to know the artist. This digital series will invite artists to Brucemore for an interview, recorded in front of a live studio audience. Each conversation will focus on a specific project or aspect of the artists’ career. The recordings of these interviews will be shared online through Brucemore’s social media channels.  

Stay tuned for more information about the Live from the Artisan Studio guest artists and schedule. 

Hello Summer and Hello Fall 

Designed to bookend our busy summer events season, this multi-disciplinary series will explore new outdoor spaces on the estate and may include music, visual arts, spoken word, magic, and other entertaining and thought-provoking mediums. Hello Summer and Hello Fall will be produced by Artisan-in-Residence Gerard Estella in collaboration with other local artists. 

Save these dates! 

Hello Summer – May 31 & June 1 

Hello Fall – September 20 & 21 

Music at the Big House 

Discover new music with this one-of-a-kind series. Debuting in 2024, this experimental program will share the talents of musicians performing in diverse musical genres. Produced by local music professionals and set against the iconic backdrop of our Queen Anne Victorian mansion, this will be an evening of musical entertainment that you can only experience at Brucemore. 

Save these dates! 

June 21 & 22; September 13 & 14 

A Night Out at Brucemore

Relax and reconnect with friends and neighbors at Brucemore! Join us for a cocktail party with excellent food, delicious drinks, good company, and easygoing ambience. Your ticket includes food, drinks, and fun – the best combination!

Save the date!

June 14

Music in the Courtyard 

Celebrating its 22nd year, our signature outdoor event, Music in the Courtyard, returns with two shows this summer. These performances will continue the longstanding tradition at Brucemore of bringing together a group of artists to create something special over the course of one week. Lincoln Ginsberg will be producing one show with Gerard Estella handling the other. 

Save these dates! 

August 29-31; September 5-7 

Theatre Cedar Rapids Outdoors at Brucemore 

Theatre Cedar Rapids will be back at the Peggy Boyle Whitworth Amphitheater this summer with two performances. Featuring a family-friendly production and a blockbuster musical, this series brings the opportunity for audiences to enjoy an evening of theater under the stars. Stay tuned for title announcements from TCR soon. 

Save these dates! 

Children’s show – July 5-21 

Musical – August 9-25 

2024 Tour Schedule 

Mansion tours will begin on March 6. This year, visitors can enjoy a selection of self-guided and guided opportunities, including the return of our popular specialty tours. 

Guided Mansion Tours 

Wednesday to Saturday – 10 AM and 3:00 PM 

Sunday – 3:00 PM 

Self-Guided Mansion Tour 

Wednesday to Saturday – 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM (entry times every half-hour) 

Sunday – 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM (entry times every half-hour)  

In Her Steps Women’s History Tour 

March 7, 14, and 21 – 5:30-7:00 PM 

Nooks & Crannies Tour 

April 11, 18, & 25, May 2, 9, 16, & 23 – 5:30 to 7:00 PM 

September 19 & 26, October 3, October 10, 17, 24, and 31 – 5:30 to 7:00 PM 

Starting in September, guided and self-guided mansion tours will run Thursday – Sunday. Our holiday tour schedule will be released in October. 

Want to receive discounts on event and tour tickets throughout 2024? Consider a contribution to our Supporter Fund! Your gift will give you access to donor perks and help support our work to inspire community interaction with history, preservation, and the arts. 

Box Office Schedule 

  • February 14 – Tickets on sale for Spring Season (March 6 – May 30) 
  • May 1 – Tickets on sale for Summer Season (May 31 – September 14) 
  • August 1 – Tickets on sale for Fall Season (September 20 – November 4) 
  • October 23 – Tickets on sale for Winter Season (November 22 – December 31) 
    • Donor pre-sale will begin on October 16 
A special thank you to our 2024 tour season sponsors. Presenting: Great America Financial Services. Friend: Hills Bank.

General

Do I need to pay to enter the estate and walk on the grounds?

No. Visiting the Brucemore estate during grounds hours is free. Tickets are only required for scheduled tours and events, and they can be purchased in advance online.

Is a reservation needed to visit Brucemore?

You do not need a reservation to visit the grounds on your own. You do need a ticket to go inside the mansion. We recommend advance reservations for any of our mansion tours or other scheduled special themed tours due to limited capacity. Please visit our calendar to see upcoming opportunities and to purchase your tickets.

Touring the Mansion

Can I take pictures inside the mansion?

Yes. Photography is allowed during tours for personal, non-professional use. Tripods, selfie-sticks, or other photography equipment will not be permitted. Photographs should not distract from others’ enjoyment.

How large is the mansion?

Brucemore is approximately 15,000 square feet.

How many fireplaces, rooms, and floors does Brucemore have?

There are 21 “main” rooms, 14 fireplaces and four floors plus an attic.

Is all of the furniture original to the house and families?

Much of the furniture you will see on display belonged to the second or third families to live at Brucemore; however, some pieces had to be replaced with replicas or similar antiques.

Is the mansion handicap accessible?

The Brucemore mansion includes multiple floors and several staircases. Because of the historic architecture, some spaces are not accessible. Due to preservation work, the wheelchair lift that offers accessibility to the first floor is not available at this time. An elevator is not available from the first floor to the other floors at any time. Learn more about accessibility at Brucemore.

Group and School Tours

Is there an age requirement for students visiting Brucemore?

You do not have to be a certain age to visit or attend a program at Brucemore. Different programs are best suited for different ages. Tours of the mansion are recommended for 4th grade and older due to the concepts and historic collection.

Where do we park?

Parking is available on site a short walk from the mansion or carriage house. Buses must follow special instructions. Large events may not be able to accommodate on-site parking; please see the event calendar information for exceptions.

Is bus parking available?

Yes. Bus parking is available near the carriage house. Buses must arrive via special directions as they are unable to fit in our historic gates.

Is there a lunch area at Brucemore?

There is not a designated area indoors or outdoors to eat; however, you are welcome to bring your own blanket or chair to picnic on the grounds. Please carry out any trash to help our small staff keep the grounds beautiful.

Does my group have to arrive together?

Please let group members or chaperones know where they can meet the group.

What is your payment policy?

Brucemore admission is to be paid prior to the visit and a deposit may be required. Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card and should be paid in one sum.

Do I need to make an appointment to tour the mansion?

You must have a ticket to a tour or program inside the mansion. Many tours do sell out in advance; purchase online or by calling 319-362-7375 in advance of your visit to guarantee your spot. See the schedule here.

Is the mansion wheelchair accessible?

The mansion is not currently accessible to wheelchairs due to preservation work. The mansion includes multiple flights of stairs. Most of the outdoor areas of the site are accessible. See our full accessibility information and contact us with additional questions regarding your visit.

Can I walk on the property?

Yes, the grounds and gardens are open daily most of the year. Several self-guided interpretive panels and tours via QR codes are available. See hours here.

What is Brucemore’s ticket policy?

Tickets are non-refundable, but may be rescheduled for comparable programs as space allows. Learn more.

I’m attending a large event at Brucemore. Where do I park?

Large events may require you to park offsite. Please read the event details on the calendar for specific information for each event.

Are weapons allowed at Brucemore?

We prohibit weapons on the property and at programs to ensure the safety and security of all employees and people visiting Brucemore.