Salisbury House | Des Moines

Salisbury House is one of Des Moines’ most distinctive cultural and architectural landmarks, a grand historic estate modeled after the great manors of England. Set on nearly 10 acres of woodland in the southern part of the city, the mansion reflects both the opulence of America’s early 20th-century industrial wealth and the personal passions of its builders.

Historical Background
Salisbury House was constructed between 1923 and 1928 by Carl Weeks, a wealthy cosmetics entrepreneur, and his wife, Edith. Weeks made his fortune through the Armand Company, which sold perfumes and face powders that became internationally successful. Inspired by his travels in Europe, particularly to Salisbury, England, he sought to create a home reminiscent of a 16th-century English manor.

At its completion, the estate cost over $3 million (equivalent to tens of millions today) and stood as a symbol of culture and refinement in Des Moines. The Weeks family lived in the home until the 1950s, after which it changed ownership several times. In the late 20th century, preservation efforts saved the property from decline, and today it is managed by the Salisbury House Foundation as a historic house museum.

Architecture and Design
Salisbury House is a 42-room mansion covering over 22,000 square feet, blending Tudor, Gothic, and Carolean styles. It was constructed using authentic materials imported from Europe, including wood paneling, stonework, and stained glass, giving it the feel of a centuries-old English estate.

Distinctive features include:

Great Hall: A dramatic central gathering space with carved wood ceilings, massive stone fireplace, and tapestries.

Library: Housing thousands of volumes, including rare books, first editions, and historic manuscripts.

Dining Room and Kitchen: Reflecting both the elegance of formal entertaining and the modern conveniences of the 1920s.

Music Room: With acoustics designed for chamber music and social gatherings.

Art and Furnishings: The Weeks family filled the home with fine art, antiques, and decorative pieces collected from around the world.

The house is surrounded by formal gardens, terraces, and woodland paths, adding to its estate-like atmosphere.

Cultural and Educational Role
Today, Salisbury House operates as a historic house museum, offering visitors an immersive look into both architectural grandeur and cultural history. Tours highlight not only the home’s design but also the Weeks family’s contributions to Des Moines’ civic and cultural life.

The mansion’s library is of particular note, containing rare works such as early Shakespeare editions, ancient texts, and manuscripts by literary figures. The Weeks family’s collection reflected their intellectual curiosity and commitment to the arts.

The house also serves as a venue for:

Concerts, lectures, and cultural events

Art and history exhibitions

Community gatherings and private rentals

Preservation and Legacy
Maintaining Salisbury House is a major undertaking, given its size and historical materials. The Salisbury House Foundation has overseen significant restoration efforts to preserve its architecture, collections, and gardens, ensuring the estate remains open to the public as both a museum and cultural center.

Modern Identity
Today, Salisbury House is regarded as a jewel of Des Moines’ heritage, offering visitors a rare glimpse of old-world grandeur transplanted to the American Midwest. It embodies the era of American industrial wealth, where successful entrepreneurs built lavish homes inspired by European traditions, while also serving as a living museum of art, literature, and design.

The estate stands as both a historic treasure and a cultural gathering place, symbolizing Des Moines’ connection to global culture and its own history of innovation and ambition.