   the mathias ham house is a 19th-century house in dubuque, iowa that is on the national register of historic places. it is located at the intersection of shiras and lincoln ave in dubuque. ==description== the house was built for local businessman and lead miner mathias ham in 1856. the architect was john francis rague, who had designed the original capitol buildings of illinois at springfield and iowa at iowa city. he designed the house in the italian villa style. the building has been restored, and is a museum showcasing life during the antebellum period. the house contains american and european furnishings from that period. also on the site is a log cabin in the dogtrot style, which is considered the oldest building in iowa. this building was built originally at the location of 2nd and locust streets in dubuque, then moved to eagle point park in dubuque before being moved to the mathias ham house historic site. in addition, a one-room schoolhouse (the former humke school) was relocated to the property. a replica mine shaft and "badger hole" or "badger hut" were constructed on the property for use in educating the public about dubuque's lead mining history. ==museum== the museum is operated by the dubuque county historical society, which also operates the old jail museum, the national mississippi river museum & aquarium, and the 1873 ryan house. ==references==  ==external links== *ham house museum information page 
Buildings_and_structures_in_Dubuque,_Iowa Culture_of_Dubuque,_Iowa Historic_house_museums_in_Iowa Houses_on_the_National_Register_of_Historic_Places_in_Iowa Museums_in_Dubuque,_Iowa National_Register_of_Historic_Places_in_Dubuque_County,_Iowa