Holy and Ivy tour ready for kickoff in Des Moines

The annual Holly and Ivy tour featuring the Terrace Hill governor’s mansion in Des Moines gets underway in one week. Spokesperson Carla Herling says the eighth annual tour will include four other homes. She says it’s a great opportunity to see Terrace Hill, the Salisbury House and two private homes. She says they’re decorated for the holidays, there’s music, refreshment, and the Terrace Hill gift shop is open. Herling says it’s a chance to see some unique buildings. She says they’re all great historic Des Moines houses. One of the private homes is in the Sherman Hill district and the other is the Butler House on Grand Bed & Breakfast. And Terrace Hill is now a national landmark. Herling says they have three days of tours. She says the tours are Friday, December third from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, December fourth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, December fifth from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. She says they give you a map and you can take the tour at your own pace. The cost of the tour is 10 dollars for adults and five for children. Herling says the money goes to a good cause. She says proceeds after expenses go to help keep Terrace Hill and Salisbury House open. For more information, call 515-281-3604.