Rensselaer Russell House Museum: A Victorian Gem
Discover Victorian elegance at the Rensselaer Russell House Museum, a beautifully preserved landmark in Waterloo, Iowa.
The Rensselaer Russell House Museum, located in Waterloo, Iowa, is a testament to Victorian elegance and local history. Built in 1861 for Rensselaer Russell, a real estate investor and dealer of dry goods, the house is one of the first brick residences in Waterloo and is considered one of Iowa's finest examples of Italianate architecture. The two-story house features tall, narrow windows, Corinthian columns on the porches, bracketed eaves, and a hipped roof capped with a belvedere. Inside, visitors can explore a classic Victorian interior with original family belongings, including an 1889 Steinway grand piano. The house has been restored to reflect the period when electricity was added in the 1890s. Rensselaer Russell was a prominent figure in Waterloo, contributing to the community's growth and development. He and his wife, Caroline, lived in the house with their family, and three generations of Russells called it home. Russell also donated land across the street for a public park, which was later named Washington Park. The residential area where he lived was named Russell Square in his honor. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and now operates as a museum, offering guided tours that bring the Russell family's stories to life and provide insights into the upper-middle-class lifestyle of mid-Victorian Waterloo.
Local tips
- Call ahead to schedule a tour, as visits are by appointment only.
- Explore the surrounding Grout Museum District, which includes other museums and attractions.
- Check the Grout Museum District's website for special events and programs.
A brief summary to Rensselaer Russell House Museum
- 520 W 3rd St, Waterloo, Iowa, 50701, US
- +1319-234-6357
- Visit website
Getting There
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Walking
The Rensselaer Russell House Museum is located at 520 W 3rd St, within the Grout Museum District in downtown Waterloo. If you are already visiting another site within the district, such as the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, the Russell House is easily accessible by foot. From the Sullivan Brothers Museum, walk west along W 3rd St for a short distance. The Rensselaer Russell House will be on your right, across from Washington Park.
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Public Transport
Waterloo's public transportation system, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), provides bus service throughout the city. Check the MTA website or app for the most up-to-date routes and schedules. Several bus routes have stops near the Grout Museum District. From the bus stop, it's a short walk to the Rensselaer Russell House at 520 W 3rd St. A single ride fare is typically $1.25 [https://www.cedarvalleytransit.org/fares/].
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Taxi/Ride-share
Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available in Waterloo. Request a ride to 520 W 3rd St, Waterloo, IA 50701. A short ride from elsewhere in downtown Waterloo will likely cost between $8 and $15, depending on demand and distance.
