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Aunty Green Hotel Museum

210 Washington St.
Bonaparte, IA 52620
  • Get Directions40.6987756967918,-91.80188929206543

Bonaparte, IA - National Historic Register - 1977

The Aunty Green building is now Bonaparte's Museum. It has a collection of historic photos, curios, and other memorabilia of Bonaparte.

John and Mary Green came by ship from England and constructed the house in 1844. This home was the first brick building in Bonaparte. The Green's converted the house into a hotel to accommodate railroad personnel around 1855.

The two-story structure has a picturesque second-story porch with a removable section of railing for unloading luggage off the wagons. Also owned at various times by the Meek and Cresap families of Bonaparte. It has been an apartment house, a cream station, doctor offices and a dwelling/gas station in 1960.

The Aunty Green was neglected for a period of ten years, and as a result, was condemned by the Bonaparte Town Council. Vandals had thrown rocks through the windows and defaced its bricks. Extensive restoration took place from 1971-1973 when it was literally saved from the wrecking ball.

The museum is open by appointment or on special events.