The Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum contains many treasures, not the least of which is the house itself. It was built in 1861 by A. D. Barnum, a building contractor whose local projects included the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home (later the Iowa State Norma School and now University of Northern Iowa).

Barnum lived in the house until 1874. It was later purchased by William Bryant, who occupied it with his family until 1919. The final residents, John and Myrna Dempster, sold the house to the Cedar Falls Historical Society in 1966. It has been maintained as a museum since 1968.

The Victorian Home is a striking example of the once popular Italianate style of architecture. The walls are eighteen inches thick and the inside shutters (with vertical louvres) are original. Atop the Tuscan roof is the belvedere, a Cedar Falls landmark.

The Carriage House Museum was added in 1991 and houses the Society's library, archives and various changing exhibits. Both the Victorian Home and the Carriage House Museum are operated by the Cedar Falls Historical Society.

For more information call 266-5149.