Jordan House Gardens

Guided Public Tours

Jordan House tours are offered Friday and Sunday at 11am & 1:30pm.
Jordan House tours will require a ticket purchase in advance.

For more information or to reserve a ticket, please see "Plan Your Visit"

ASL interpretation is available for private tours. Please call (515) 225-1286 at least 2 weeks in advance.

School groups, private groups and virtual tours of the Jordan House Museum and Bennett School Museum can be scheduled Monday-Thursday and other times, based on staffing. Please call (515) 225-1286 for more information.

Mission & Vision

Jordan House Gardens cultivates inclusive, community-rooted spaces that honor the diverse heritage of this land while advancing environmental stewardship, equitable access to green space, and shared learning across generations.
Presented by the West Des Moines Historical Society and Polk County Master Gardeners, this greenspace connects the community with its past. Shaped by Indigenous Tribes, pioneers, Freedom Seekers and Abolitionists, Civil War soldiers, African American and Mexican American railroad workers, and many more, it reflects the many lives that crossed here.
What began as a restoration effort is growing into a thriving, sustainable campus—where historic landscape and ecological care evolve together, supported by an intergenerational community of volunteers, learners, and partners.
Learn more About Polk County Master Gardeners

Experience & Purpose

These gardens are designed as living classrooms—places where history, ecology, and everyday learning come together.
As you explore, you’ll encounter native plantings that support pollinators, seasonal blooms that shift with time, and thoughtfully designed spaces that invite reflection, curiosity, and connection. From soil health and seed saving to food systems and habitat creation, each garden offers hands-on insight into how people and the land are deeply interconnected.

Invitation to Explore

Wander. Pause. Look closer.
Each garden tells a different story—of resilience, tradition, and care. Whether you’re here to learn, reflect, volunteer, or simply enjoy the beauty of the space, there is something waiting to be discovered.
Step in and explore how the land teaches, connects, and grows with us—all year long.

Help grow something lasting

Your support—through time, resources, or presence—makes this work possible

At Jordan House Gardens, your support:
- Creates accessible green space
- Supports education and mentorship
- Brings history to life for the community