Calling all curious minds looking for a unique night out!

Mansion Mixers are your chance to explore Brucemore after hours while diving into fascinating stories from history. Each program includes time for self-guided tours of the mansion and the opportunity to enjoy an entertaining history presentation in the Tahitian Room! Your ticket includes a complimentary canned drink served from the mansion’s other quirky basement party space: the Grizzly Bar. If you’re looking for a fun and casual way to learn something new while connecting with other history fans, then this event is for you!

Use the boxes below to see upcoming dates and themes. Space for these intimate events is limited, so we encourage you to buy your tickets early!

October 16 – Busts and Brushstrokes

Have you ever explored an art museum, looked around at all the great works around you and thought, “Why are so many of these women nude?”

From ancient sculptures to modern paintings, the symbolism and controversy of women’s breasts in Western art is a constant thread. Despite that controversy, many large, turn-of-the-20^th century mansions like Brucemore have depictions of feminine nudity in many of design elements. During this Mansion Mixer, bounce into a brief history of women’s breasts in Western art and discover why there are so many busts at Brucemore.

During the social open house, you are welcome to explore the mansion and participate in a seasonally themed take-home craft. When presentations conclude, we’ll finish the evening with our team-based activity – an art history scavenger hunt in the mansion!

This presentation will include art depicting the intimately nude feminine form as well as discussion around the topic and is intended for adult audience.

Event Schedule:

• 6:00 PM: Doors Open
• 6:00 – 8:00 PM: Social Open House
  • Self-guided mansion exploration
  • “Boo Bees” craft activity
  • Light snacks to nibble on and a cash bar serving canned beverages
• 7:15 PM: Presentation in the Tahitian Room*
• 7:45 PM: Presentation in the Tahitian Room*
• 8:15 PM: Censored Searches Scavenger Hunt
• 9:00 PM: Evening ends

* Each presentation is the same. Due to capacity limits in the Tahitian Room, attendees will be assigned a presentation time based on order of arrival.

All activities are optional. Choose your own adventure and participate in as much or as little as you’d like!

Entry Time Note:
This event is designed to give you unstructured time to explore the mansion. You are welcome to arrive anytime after 6:00 PM and enjoy as much or as little of the social open house as you like. We do not have space to wait inside before doors open. If you arrive before 6:00 PM, we encourage you to enjoy the grounds until the event begins.

Event Cost:

• $25 General Admission
• Brucemore Supporters receive $5 off per ticket
• A $4 processing fee will be added to all online and phone orders.

What’s Included:

• Light snacks and a ticket for one complimentary drink. Additional drinks may be purchased throughout the evening.
• Self-guided access to the first, second, and third floors of the mansion.
• An entertaining presentation in the Tahitian Room. This is not you mama’s history lecture!
• Activities connected to the evening’s theme

Important Event Information:

To help make the most of your visit, we’ve prepared a few tips. If you have any questions that haven’t been answered here, our team is happy to help. Please email us or call 319-362-7375 to reach a Brucemore staff member.

What to Know Before You Go:

•  This presentation will include art depicting the intimately nude feminine form as well as discussion around the topic and is intended for adult audience. Please make the best decision for the participation of your party with this knowledge.
• Light snacks and a ticket for one complimentary canned drink will be provided. Additional hard and soft canned drinks will be available to purchase. Please do not bring outside food or drinks to this event.
• The historic mansion is not wheelchair accessible. There are several stairs to access the first floor, and several flights of stairs to see the other floors. Please make the best decision for the accessibility of your party with this knowledge or call with specific questions. If you need a seat during your visit, a member of our team can show you chairs that are available to use.

 Navigating the Site:

• The entrance to the estate is on Linden Drive. Some GPS systems may try to take you to another gate. This video and this labeled Google Map can help you plan your route to the entrance before you arrive.
• When you arrive on the site, follow signs to the mansion. Parking is available a short walk from the entrance. If parking near the mansion is full, overflow parking is available near the Carriage House, which is a short walk from the mansion.
• Event check-in is inside the mansion. Please enter through the front door, located next to the circle drive.

Ticket and Photo Policies:

• All ticket sales are non-refundable. Please read our ticket policy here.
• At this event, photography and videos may be recorded. By attending this event, you may be included in these photos and videos. Your attendance at this event grants your permission to be in these photos or videos, which may be used for educational, archival, or promotional purposes. If you have concerns about your likeness appearing in these photos and videos, please talk to a staff member when you check in for the event.
• Photography is allowed inside the mansion for personal, non-commercial use. Tripods, selfie-sticks, or other photography equipment are not permitted. Please read our photo policy here.