(41 miles to Tassel Ridge Winery)
Faulconer Gallery
The Faulconer Gallery at Grinnell College opened in September 1999. Located at the heart of the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts, the Gallery is part of a fine arts complex designed by internationally famous architect Cesar Pelli. With 7,420 square feet of exhibition space, the gallery presents major changing exhibitions of significant historical and contemporary art on a rotating basis and brings outstanding national and international art to campus. A full schedule of academic and community outreach occurs year-round which includes prominent artists, curators, and critics with workshops and classes. The Gallery collaborates with on campus departments and community organizations in developing their events. The Print and Drawing Study Room, located on the lower level of Burling Library provides another exhibition space in addition to class work with the College’s permanent collection.
The Faulconer Gallery and other exhibition spaces on campus are free and open to the public. The Gallery is open daily from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. They are closed on major holidays and during installation of new exhibitions. Please call ahead to confirm hours or visit their website.
Bucksbaum Center for the Arts
1108 Park Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.269.4660
gallery@grinnell.edu
www.grinnell.edu/faulconergallery
Grinnell Historical Museum
The house of the museum is itself the exhibit. Built in 1895 at cost of $8,000 for J. H. McMuray, a local merchant, the house had central heating, electricity, and running water, all luxuries at the time. Unique artifacts include carpets brought from Persia by Mr. McMurray, a Duncan Phyfe sofa, J.B. Grinnell’s Wooten desk from 1877, the desk from the Monroe Hotel, and one of the first 50 electric refrigerators made by the Grinnell Washing Machine Company in 1932. Also included are horse drawn carriages built in Grinnell by the Spaulding and Laros Carriage Factories which are kept in the Carriage House. A military exhibit includes uniforms from the Spanish American War to the Korean War. Exhibits portray aspects of local history. Volunteers are available to assist with historical and genealogical research.
1125 Broad Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.236.7827
grinnellhistoricalmuseum@gmail.com
http://grinnellhistoricalmuseum.org
Loralei’s Gift Shoppe
Located in a historic building filled to the brim with a unique blend of vintage and contemporary items to accent your home or to give as a gift. Garden and seasonal items, home décor, local crafted items, rugs, gift items for engagements, weddings, addition to the family, co-workers, or just because. Loralei’s offers layaway and free gift wrapping and also a bridal registry.
816 Commercial Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.236.9605
loraleis@windstream.net
www.loraleisgrinnell.com/
Louis Sullivan’s Jewel Box Bank
Designed by legendary architect Louis Sullivan, it is the second of eight in the series of famous “jewel box” banks. Constructed in 1914 and a National Historic Landmark since 1976. Terra-cotta portal—the most recognizable feature of the building, spectacular rose window with its maze of geometric and organic shapes, monumental stained glass east windows 15 feet high by 40 feet wide, glass mosaic around clock designed by renowned artist Louis Millet; organic terra-cotta interior ornament, hand-carved wooden check desk, pink Tennessee marble floors. The unique structure, one of the more important designs in the series, has been restored and currently houses the Chamber of Commerce, Grinnell Convention and Visitors Bureau, and serves as the City’s Visitor’s Center.
4th Avenue and Broad Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.236.6555
www.grinnellchamber.org/
Spaulding Museum
The Spaulding Center for Transportation Museum is housed in the former Spaulding Manufacturing Company complex along with Grinnell’s City Hall, with most exhibits in the first floor atrium. An incomplete 1913 Spaulding Model 40 automobile chassis, the only one identified and available for viewing, a Spaulding “Mountain” Buggy, along with a Laros Town Buggy, also manufactured in Grinnell, are housed on the first floor. Numerous banners offer information on various aspects of Iowa’s transportation history. The former Spaulding Manufacturing Company’s complex functioned from 1880 to 1929 and has been repurposed into City Hall and the Spaulding Lofts. All standing buildings were built between 1880 and 1910 as the company expanded from blacksmithing to buggy and wagon production and finally to manufacturing of automobiles. The Museum is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Entry is free and open to the public.
City of Grinnell
520 Fourth Avenue
Grinnell, Iowa 50112
641.236.2600
Places to Stay
Carriage House Bed & Breakfast
Six rooms in a beautiful Victorian home built in 1895 by the Carneys. Large wrap-around porch to relax on the cushioned swing among flowers on the front porch or read by one of three cozy fireplaces on the main floor. Stained and beveled glass windows, natural oak, beech, maple and walnut woodwork and beautiful parquet floors. Scrumptious breakfast of fresh fruit, eggs, Irish soda bread made fresh on the griddle, and spread with homemade jams included. Just minutes from Grinnell College, close to Newton, and just north of Interstate 80 off exit 182. Number of rooms: 6; private bathrooms: 6.
1133 Broad Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.236.7520
irishbnb@iowatelecom.net
The Guest House Bed & Breakfast
4 rooms, 1 suite. This early 1900 country home bed and breakfast will take you back to the good old days at your grandparents’ house. Enjoy the quiet surroundings of rural living with original maple flooring and panel doors. The original bath has a #4 claw foot tub to relax in and enjoy! The Guest House Bed and Breakfast is ideal for family gatherings, wedding parties, and lodging for wedding guests. Close to Grinnell College. Hunters are welcome; kennels are available. Pets can be accommodated in the kennel (not the house). Children are welcome. No smoking. Internet accessible. Breakfast is included in rate. Reservations accepted until 9:00 p.m.
3970 50th Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.236.5843
mdbeck@pcpartner.net
Hotel Grinnell
Hotel Grinnell is an adaptive reuse of the old junior high school in downtown Grinnell. The building was erected in 1921 as an addition to the high school, with three stories of classrooms, a large gymnasium and an auditorium. The high school was torn down in 1980, but the newer junior high was saved and remodeled into a community center that housed various offices. After years of being widely underutilized, Steve Holtze and Angela Harrington purchased the beautiful building from the city in 2016 and set out to re-purpose it into a boutique hotel and event venue.
hello@hotelgrinnell.com
Events: emily@hotelgrinnell.com
www.hotelgrinnell.com
641.236.9250
Marsh House Bed & Breakfast
Three bedrooms, full breakfast included with china, silver, crystal, linen. Fine walnut and mahogany throughout house, down comforters, ticks and pillows, robes, central air, cable & VCR in bedrooms and sitting rooms; free beverages; use of 300 original top-rated movies; limited use of kitchen; no smoking, younger children, or pets. National Register of Historic Places. Flexible scheduling of breakfast and check-in.
833 East Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.236.0132
lindap@iowatelecom.net
Spaulding Inn Bed and Breakfast
Located one block from Historic Downtown Grinnell and two blocks from Grinnell College Campus, the Spaulding Inn Bed and Breakfast has six rooms available. It offers a four-season porch to relax in, sunset tours, wireless internet, bikes for use, and a backyard to relax or have fun in. There is a full breakfast with locally sourced and organic food.
1103 Main Street
Grinnell, IA 50112
641.990.1316
spauldinginn@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/site/spauldinginn/home/history
