Ushers Ferry Historic Village

Ushers Ferry is a department of the City of Cedar Rapids. The Village interprets small town Iowa life through regularly scheduled open hours, large themed events, and smaller intimate programming. | Ushers Ferry got its start in the early 1970's when local civil rights leader Viola Gibson sold the land occupied by her church to the city for a park, on the condition that the church would not be torn down. With the help of the Parks Department, the Questers and several other groups the church was moved to Seminole Valley Park and became the first building in what was then called Pioneer Village. Over the next ten years several buildings in the path of construction- especially in the building of interstate 380- were relocated to Pioneer Village. In 1980 the Village aquired the 1855 Henry Usher home since in the 1850's Henry Usher owned the land where the Village sits today. Our town acquired the name Ushers Ferry because Henry's cousin Dyer ran a ferry across the river near the Village site. It also got an official time period: 1890-1910. Over the last thirty years we have grown like a small town, adding a business or home here and there until we had over thirty historic homes and businesses. Due to the 2008 flood, Ushers Ferry has had to rebuild and we currently have 20 buildings.

The mission of Ushers Ferry Historic Village is to provide the citizens of Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa with a venue for family friendly activities, events and programs that build community from the historical perspective of a small Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century. This mission is accomplished by inviting visitors to step back in time through self guided tours, interaction with costumed interpreters, educational programs, and themed events. Through these experiences visitors come into contact with the material culture of their heritage, learn the stories of their history, and build community with each other.