Last day of tours for the 2023 season. The park will re-open in May 2024.

The Friends of Cedar Rock are very pleased to welcome Matt and Sean back to play the Walter’s House instruments in the beautiful Garden Room.

Tickets $25

Luna Nova Plays - Iowa Composer’s Forum

Michelle Vigneau - Oboe and English Horn
Robert G. Patterson – Horn
Craig Hultgren – Cello
Perry Mears II – Piano

Free admission but reservations required. Please email cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.gov to reserve a seat.

The annual favorite event is back for another year. Enjoy Cedar Rock at night with music and a special presentation from our local wildlife rehab center, Wildthunder Wildlife Animal Rehabilitation Sanctuary. Music provided by harpist, Dr. Sheila Benson.

County coordinated tours of five historic sites including an exclusive stop at an 1850s underground Main Street businesses in Independence, Iowa. Sites include: Malek Theater Lobby, Lee Mansion, Cedar Rock and the Richardson Jakway Cabin. The tour wraps up at the Allerton Brewery in Independence. Each site will offer a period food or snack to the participants. The tour will be at Cedar Rock at 3 p.m.

An Afternoon with Frank Lloyd Wright

Saturday October 8th, 2022 1:00 PM. $10.00 at the door

“The Significance of Cedar Rock”
Peter R. Rott, AIA, NCARB
Principal, ISTHMUS ARCHITECTURE

Independence Public Library
805 1st Avenue East
Independence, Iowa. 50644

Purchase tickets online here.

For additional information please e-mail cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.org or call 319-934-3572

Bob Washut, Piano Alex Pershounin, Bass

September 24th 2022 5:00 PM.

Admission: $25 (limited seating)

Bob Washut is Emeritus Professor of Music at the University of Northern Iowa where he retired in 2018. He served as Director of Jazz Studies from 1980-2002. An accomplished jazz composer and arranger, Washut has received numerous commissions from collegiate and high school jazz ensembles, professional jazz artists, and symphony orchestras.

Alex Pershounin, Instructor, String Bass, at the University of Northern Iowa, has performed extensively throughout Europe and United States in both classical and jazz settings and has been featured as a performer and composer on such internationally recognized music events as Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Pori Jazz Festival in Finland, Europe’s Jazz Contest in Belgium, and New Orleans Jazz Fest, among many others.

Purchase tickets online here.

For additional information please e-mail cedar_rock@dnr.iowa.org or call 319-934-3572

Friends of Cedar Rock host the annual Strawberry Moon event to raise funds to support the preservation of Cedar Rock. Attendees can experience Cedar Rock as if they were guests of Lowell and Agnes, while they enjoy refreshments around the council fire, under the glow of June’s full moon.

All proceeds from this event help support our education, restoration and preservation programs and suture that Lowell and Agnes Walter’s home will continue to inspire visitors for generations to come.

Cedar Rock closes for the season.

Join us for an afternoon of music on the patio lawn at Cedar Rock. Featuring the jazz stylings of the Rosewood Trio.

$10 suggested donation to the Friends of Cedar Rock. $5 for students

Check back for updates on these two events.

The annual bicycle ride across Iowa will pass through Buchanan County just south of Cedar Rock this year.

Friends of Cedar Rock host the annual Strawberry Moon event to raise funds to support the preservation of Cedar Rock.  Attendees can experience Cedar Rock as if they were guests of Lowell and Agnes, while they enjoy refreshments around the council fire, under the glow of June’s full moon.

All proceeds from this event help support our education, restoration and preservation programs and suture that Lowell and Agnes Walter’s home will continue to inspire visitors for generations to come.

Tours begin as Cedar Rock opens for the season on Wednesday, May 26.

Tour info:

For the time being the site will continue to operate with COVID-19 precautions in mind. Tours will be offered on a reservation only basis to a limited number of participants.

• Touring visitors are encouraged to wear a mask. Tour leaders will wear a mask.

• Increased cleaning and sanitation are implemented at the visitor center. To preserve historical artifacts at the museum house daily cleaning does not include disinfection. Tour the house at your own risk.

• A new social distancing option is available: CR QR Hike or Cedar Rock Quick Response Code Hike. Allows guests access to the Park trails, grounds and exterior of the Walter House while scanning codes with a smartphone to access information.

Guests can help us keep everyone safe by following social distancing guidelines and following park directives. We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Last day to tour Cedar Rock for the 2019 season.

 The Rosewood Novelty Trio     Saturday, October 12th  6:00 PM

The Trio interprets the early 20th Century musical forms Ragtime (known for its “ragged” rhythms), and Novelty music - which evolved from its “jazzy” cousin. Novelty music features more complex stylings, improvisation, and colorful harmonies. The program - performed using Agnes Walter’s marimba and her Steinway piano - will include music composed by Scott Joplin, Django Reinhardt, and others from this era.

• Matt Andreini - Marimba

• Dave Smith - Piano/Banjo 

• Jay Ramsey on Bass Saxophone. 

Tickets: $25. Reserve your tickets soon, as seating is limited. Cedar Rock State Park: 319 934-3572  (cedar_rock@dnr.Iowa.org) or order directly online by clicking below:

Our lecture series continues again this year with two engaging speakers.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Bachman Wilson House at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - Jim Dains, volunteer docent at the Wilson House.

Taliesin as a laboratory for living - where the cultural, architectural and natural environments converge around the enduring question: how could we live now? Caroline Hamblen, Director of Programs, Taliesin Preservation, Spring Green, Wisconsin

Purchase tickets by clicking below:

Iowa State Parks Volunteer Day - Get your volunteer on at Cedar Rock and help build pollinator seed balls to benefit Monarch and other pollinator species. 10:00am-Noon