DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) – The Mathias Ham Historic Website transports guests again centuries, serving to households witness 1800s life in Iowa.
The namesake Mathias Ham Home, as soon as residence to one in every of Dubuque’s earliest businessmen, is presently present process renovations, however the property additionally options lead mining badger holes, an Eighteen Eighties college home, and the Louis Arriandeux Cabin. Constructed within the 1830s, the positioning claims the cabin is the oldest in Iowa.
On July 4th, 2025, the 61st Annual Audrey Hammer Fourth of July Ice Cream Social raised cash to assist protect the positioning.
“We’re simply a part of an extended story in humanity, and an occasion like this will get individuals to think about, but in addition expertise, how chores have all the time been accomplished, like laundry as an illustration,” says Heather Inexperienced, Dubuque County Historic Society Interpretation Program Supervisor.
The occasion provided picnic meals, desserts, and ice cream for buy, in addition to interactive historic demonstrations, together with spinning, cleaning soap making, and extra.
Coming for the ice cream, many households left with a higher appreciation for contemporary dwelling.
“It’s loopy like how arduous they labored to get their garments accomplished, and we actually don’t,” shares 12-year-old Hadley.
“Should you lived in someday like this,” explains Ryan, a 9-year-old, referring to the 1830s cabin. “If it’s like 100 levels, you’d be sweating although you had been inside.”
Attendees additionally solid votes by way of donations to determine which group chief would take a whipped cream pie to the face on the occasion.
After elevating greater than $480 to assist protect the Mathias Ham Historic Site, Dubuque Mayor Brad Cavanagh, SuperHits 106.1’s Dick McGrane, and Inexperienced every acquired a pie.
The funds raised can even assist pay for the 62nd Annual Audrey Hammer Fourth of July Ice Cream Social.
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