The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat

Old house lovers buckle up! This historic remodel is brimming with charm, craftsmanship, and character. Built to entertain couples, friends, family, or groups seeking a retreat, this house will keep your crew cozy, curious, and inspired. Enjoy cocktails in the parlor, or bring the group together for a movie in the living room. Host a ping-pong tourney or keep things quiet with a book on the upstairs sleeping porch. Take your morning coffee on the quaint breakfast porch or front porch. This home has four upstairs bedrooms. The primary has a king bed and en-suite. Two bedrooms have a queen bed and the fourth bedroom has two full sized beds. On the main level, guests are free to add a supplied air mattress in the living room (made private with pocket doors). You’ll enjoy white linen sheets and duvets on all beds. Once home to IA's first female secretary of state, Ola Babcock Miller, this house tells a unique story. The original family boasted numerous notable accomplishments. One ran for governor. Another had the state library named after them, and another was named one of America's 100 most influential people after founding Gallup Polling, still in business today. After spending a year renovating the home, we aimed to keep its unique history alive. We picked historical colors: sophisticated greens and Midwest whites. We kept unique, antique light fixtures and saved the original fireplace (decommissioned), pocket doors, floors, and woodwork. All that's to say we sprinkled modern touches all throughout. Whimsical wallpaper, fresh tile shower, and butcher block kitchen counters/stainless appliances were important to give guests an upscale, truly unique bnb stay. Like many old homes, this one has rooms on rooms on rooms. We imagined groups being able to split up and enjoy the home on their own while coming together at the end of the day. The butler's pantry, breakfast porch, sleeping porch, and parlor are unique rooms that allow guests to slip away for some privacy. We've called it the ultimate hide-and-seek house more than once. This home sits on a diverse street with some other neat old homes. Its proximity to downtown makes it ideal for guests who want to stay in a quiet location. Pop downtown during the day and enjoy Washington’s cafes and unique shopping options. Also check out Washington's Guinness World Record-Winning movie theater. On S Marion you’ll likely see families out on walks with kids and enjoy additional privacy with front porch screens and privacy lattice on the south-facing deck.