Sitting proudly at the top of Snake Alley, the Garrett-Phelps House Museum in historic Burlington, Iowa, sheltered three generations of one family for over 100 years.

The original portion of the home was built in 1851, and then enlarged in 1870. The three story home has watched over Burlington through struggles, wars, prosperity and poverty. During an especially difficult period, it housed a hospital and then a nursing school.

Currently, the museum is home to both permanent and rotating exhibits.

Permanent exhibits include the furnishings that are were left by the family when they donated the building to the Historical Society in 1973.

The Medical Memories exhibit, located on the third floor, showcases medical equipment that was used by the doctors and nurses who practiced in the building during its time as a hospital and as a nursing school before it reverted to the Garrett-Phelps family home.

The Museum is open by appointment and on Sundays from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm during the months of May thru September.

Admission is free, and tours are available upon request at a nominal fee.

The Garrett-Phelps House is located at:

521 Columbia Street

Burlington, IA 52601