Armstrong House (Britt, Iowa)

The Armstrong House is an 1896 home in Britt, Iowa, that is known as the Hancock County Memorial Museum. It was opened to the public in 1970. The building contains Victorian era furniture, cabinets made by H. C Armstrong, and a desk and chairs that belonged to Governor John Hammill.

History

The Armstrong House, a Victorian residence constructed in 1896 for $15,000, is located in Britt, Iowa, and was commissioned by Lewis Larson. The house was built by John Victoria, who was responsible for many of Britt’s prominent early buildings, including both homes and businesses. Lewis Larson, who immigrated from Norway, later established himself in Britt and took on the role of president of the First National Bank. The Larson family organized for Norwegian women to come to Iowa to help with household tasks. There were typically two maids responsible for domestic work. These maids rested in a small bedroom. To assist them in their responsibilities, a secondary staircase extended from the kitchen to the second-floor hallway, next to the maids’ room. The stairs led from the bathroom across the hall up to the attic. This arrangement allowed them to complete their tasks discreetly while the Larsons hosted guests in the parlor. A butler's pantry situated between the kitchen and the dining room made serving meals more convenient. H. C. Armstrong purchased the house and the bank from banker Lewis Larson in 1914. Armstrong's three sons gave the house to the Hancock County Historical Society. The mansion was opened to the public in 1970 and is known as the Hancock County Memorial Museum. Ever since the historical society received the building, it cost thousands of dollars to preserve the home. In 2019, the historical society celebrated the house's 50th anniversary by having an open house and a murder mystery based in the time of prohibition.

Contents

The house's woodwork is composed of yellow pine and oak. The doors are large and hefty, and the stairway is decorated with hand carvings. A sink and fireplace are made of marble. There are windows made of stained glass on the upper floor. The house is equipped with furniture and decor predominantly from the late Victorian era. It serves as a collection point for antiques donated by county residents and houses a compilation of early memoirs and local historical accounts. The attic contains a miniature version of a rural school as well as a tiny church. Armstrong was a skilled cabinetmaker, and some of his creations can still be observed. The library features a desk and chairs that belonged to Governor John Hammill. The marble used for the fireplace comes from original Swedish glaze. In the kitchen, there is an old wall-mounted telephone, various kitchen tools, and a butter churn.

The parlor gas "an antique organ, period chairs, a doily, and some Battenberg lace" that was crafted by Larson's wife. Additionally, there are floor lamps made by Armstrong. In the basement, there is a foot-operated drill that was used by a dentist, along with vintage curtain stretchers, hay knives, and early carpenter’s tools. Also on display are a "soap kettle and machines for cutting seed potatoes, making rope, and sharpening saw blades".