Scholte House Museum & Gardens

In 1847, 800 Hollanders, under the leadership of Dominie Hendrik Pieter Scholte, left the Netherlands for America to gain religious freedom.  They settled in Iowa and created a town named Pella.  Pella means “City of Refuge”, named after a city the early Christians had fled to in Palestine.  The Dominie promised his wife Mareah, a beautiful home like the one she left in Holland.  He held true to his word and in April 1848 the house was ready.   This historic home sits quietly surrounded by award winning flower gardens.  It is located on the north side of the square in historic downtown Pella, Iowa.   Many of the Scholte’s fine original antiques adorn the museum.  You are invited to visit Dominie and Mareah’s home, their furnishings, their paintings, and learn about their life in Pella.