Montauk Historic Site

Visit the historic mansion and home of Iowa’s 12th Governor William Larrabee. See how the Larrabee family lived on this rural estate from 1874 to 1965 and enjoy the unique and original furnishings. Walk the grounds and trails overlooking the Turkey River Valley.

Expedition Activities

+ The Larrabees of Montauk Photo Collection
+ Video: "Montauk - Clermont, Iowa"
+ Video: Villa Calisto, 1915
+ Goldie at Home: Music at Montauk
+ Word Search Puzzle
+ Montauk Historic Site Coloring Sheet
+ "Home History Project" from The Goldfinch: Homes in History
+ "History Buffs to the Rescue" from The Goldfinch: Doing Local History

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Investigate Photographs

The Larrabees of Montauk collection tells the story of one of the most powerful and wealthiest families in the Victorian and Edwardian age living in Clermont, Iowa.
+ Goldie's visual literacy instructions help you look beyond an image to search for clues to better understand a historic photo.

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Watch Videos

+ Explore the Montauk Historic Site through this "Montauk - Clermont, Iowa" video from the State Historical Society of Iowa.
+ In this 1915 home video, Villa Calisto, former Iowa first lady Anna Larrabee of Clermont visits her grandkids at their home at 1932 1st Ave. in Cedar Rapids.

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Goldie at Home: Music at Montauk

This Goldie at Home activity was created in partnership with the Montauk Historic Site. The seven Larrabee children were surrounded by music at their home in Clermont. Create your own instruments and learn how to make music much like the Larrabees did more than 100 years ago.

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Solve the Word Search Puzzle

Find the listed words hidden in the grid of letters in this Goldie's word search puzzle. This puzzle was created in partnership with the Montauk Historic Site and is inspired by words associated with the site's history.

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Create a Masterpiece

The Larrabee family had a deep appreciation for art. They collected artwork and statues, and all of the girls were taught to paint and draw. The family met many well-known Iowa artists and hosted artist retreats at their home. Download the Montauk coloring sheet and create your own masterpiece portrait of the state historic site.

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Discover Additional Resources

These magazine excerpts from The Goldfinch, a former State Historical Society of Iowa publication for children, offer fun activities to learn more about the history and preservation of the Montauk Historic Site.
+ "Home History Project" from The Goldfinch: Homes in History
+ "History Buffs to the Rescue" from The Goldfinch: Doing Local History