Nestled in the heart of northeast Iowa is a small jewel of American mid-Victorian architecture. This lovely brick structure, inhabited by three generations of the Russell family, is one of the oldest homes in Black Hawk County. Rensselaer Russell, the son of an immigrant carpenter, traveled to Waterloo from New York with his wife and daughter in 1857. He engaged in banking and real estate. He purchased the block, which later became known as Russell Square, for $750 when he was 33.
The Rensselaer Russell House – often cited as Iowa’s finest example of Italianate architecture – gracefully over looks the Grout Museum District. Rensselaer and Caroline Russell built it in 1861 at a cost of $5,878.83. As the Grout Museum District’s largest artifact, it has been restored to the 1890’s –the period when electricity was added to the home.
In an era of gracious living, the Rensselaer Russell house was the showplace of the community. An 1889 Steinway grand piano was the center of many gatherings in those days, and is the jewel of the Russell family collection.
Guided tours allow visitors to step into an authentic Victorian interior, including family belongings, make purchases in the Pie Safe Gift Shop and wander through picturesque Victorian gardens.
