Visit Us
Schedule a tour, check out our vintage clothing display, rent the venue, or enjoy one of our special events!
Tour The House
Docent-led Tours
- Knowledgeable docents will greet you at the front door with its etched transom window.
- Learn about the adventures that brought Kendall Young to Iowa.
- Hear the story of how Kendall met Jane and their lives together in Webster City.
- Imagine how the house looked with its original floorplan containing a front parlor, sitting room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, and butler’s pantry.
- Take in the beauty of this historic home built in 1873 with its eleven-foot ceilings, crown molding, marble fireplace, and original breakfront, secretary, loveseat, marble-topped tables, and pump organ.
- Pass the “coffin corner” as you climb the beautiful, curved stairway to the second floor with its curved walls and moldings, white oak floors, and original light fixtures.
- The three large bedrooms feature eleven-foot ceilings, beautiful woodwork, tall windows, and large closets.
- At the end of the hallway, step down into the housekeeper’s quarters with its smaller rooms, lower ceilings, simple woodwork, and plank floors.
- Return to the main floor via the steep, narrow backstairs.
Open Hours
- The Jane Young House is open for public tours the 4th Saturday each month from 10 am to 3 pm, March through November. Free will offerings are appreciated.
- Special arrangements can be made for small or large groups to tour the house by contacting Loween, 515-297-0846 or JoAnn, 515-310-0397. Fee: $5 per person
Accessibility
- An exterior ramp is available from the rear parking lot to the side door.
- A stair lift is available to the second floor.
Parking
- Parking is available in the rear, on the street, or in the library parking lot.
Vintage Clothing Exhibit
Let's All Go To The Movies
- Since the Vintage Clothing Exhibit opened in 2019, a wide variety of themes have been displayed. The current exhibit, "Let's All Go to the Movies," celebrates the fashions of several favorite films, including The Wizard of Oz/Wicked, Gone with the Wind, and Forrest Gump.
The McMurray Family
- Our town can boast of two Pulitzer Prize winners for Literature with Webster City roots. We salute MacKinlay Kantor in an exhibit about the McMurray family. Kantor remembered his Boy Scout days under the leadership of Murray McMurray who founded the renowned McMurray Hatchery. He wrote "God and My Country," which was the basis for the movie "Follow Me Boys." Kantor won the Pulitzer for "Andersonville," about the infamous Confederate prisoner-of-war camp.
Special Events
Jane Young's Birthday
- Each August, the Webster City Women's Club celebrates Jane Young's birthday, who was born in County Kent, England, on August 23, 1834. She immigrated with her family to Maine and eventually moved to Webster City at the request of her brother Dan Underdown, who needed assistance in running the Willson House.
Halloween Hunt
- The Women's Club invited children of all ages to the Jane Young House for a Halloween Hunt. They followed a series of clues to find the prize. The home was decorated for the season.
Festival of Trees
- Members of the Women's Club are hosting the fourth Festival of Trees on Friday, December 5, from 5:30-7:30 pm, when wine, cheese, and crackers are available as visitors stroll both floors. Open hours continue on Saturday, December 6, from 10 am to 3 pm. The home is decorated with dozens of Christmas trees, tablescapes, and special displays.
Rent the Jane Young House
Rent The Jane Young House
The meeting room on the first floor is available for rent. It is the perfect venue for club and business meetings, receptions, reunions, showers, and similar social events.
Seating is available at round tables on padded folding chairs for up to 50 guests. Table linens, dinnerware and serving pieces are available for your use. Use your device to present programs using our projector, laptop, and screen.
A complete kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher is available. Several local caterers can help with meals for your event. The main floor is handicap accessible via a ramp on the east side of the building.
The rental fee is $60 for non-members; $35 for members, plus a refundable $50 damage deposit.
For more information on booking the venue, call Donna at 515-835-9111.
How to Contact Us
Tours
Loween 515-297-0846
JoAnn 515-310-0397
Rent
Donna 515-835-9111
We are proud members of the following organizations
