Washington County Historical Society

Conger House

The Conger House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an Iowa Landmark. The restored Conger House displays period rooms of three Washington families: Ritchey (1847-1855); Conger (1855-1904); Wilson (1904-1936). Other rooms feature permanent displays of Native American artifacts, war memorabilia, county medical history, and items manufactured in the county. The grounds surrounding the home contain some original trees and flower gardens now enhanced by restored herb gardens and geode cairn.


Thomas Ritchey built the original three-story house with three rooms in 1847-48. The property was 77 acres and was one quarter mile east of Washington. The back door on the southeast corner of the Conger House opens into the orginal Ritchey house. Mr. Ritchey was one of the first settlers in Washington County. He served as one of three commissioners who selected Washington as the site for the County seat in 1839.

In 1855, following the death of Mr. Ritchey, Nathan Littler (Ritchey's step-son) sold the farm to Jonathan Clark Conger. In later years Littler authored the book, "History of Washington County, 1835-1875."

Jonathan Clark and Jane Conger purchased the farm in 1855. He started adding to the house before the civil war, and completed it in 1868. Conger owned a boot making business and invested in land. He and Jane had four daughters; Medora Mitchell, Clara Wilson, Marietta Stanton and Florence Twining. Two sons died at age three.

After the death of Jonathan Conger, Clara and Colonel C. J. Wilson began remodeling the house in 1906. At this time the den was added on the west side, a wall removed from the Conger Room, the dining room was remodeled and the exterior brick was cemented over. There are 23 rooms and 7 fireplaces in the house.Colonel C. J. Wilson was a lawyer and a Colonel on the Governor's Honor Guard for more than 30 years. The home became a social center of Washington. He and Clara were the parents of four children: Helen "Pasty" Wilson, Edith Lytle, Carlton Wilson and Kathryn Smith. Col. Wilson died in 1936 and the house was vacant for many years.

From about 1946 to 1952, the house became home to the Pines Supper Club. The Pines was owned by Joseph A and Esther L. Picken.

From 1952 to 1972, it was the site of the Pines Nursing Home. John Rittenhouse became owner of the building and Mrs. Ann Trojovsky was the rest home operator. The rest home had the capacity of 16 patients. In 1958, Carrie M. Stump purchased the Pines Rest Home and also purchased the equipment.In 1970, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Smith of Muscatine took over proprietorship in September 1970. Mrs. Stump remained on as the manager.

In 1972 the house was purchased by Stephen and Ruth Viggers. Following their purchase began an extensive restoration with the assistance of Helen Wilson and volunteers from the community. It was opened to the public in 1973 as the Jonathan Clark Conger House Museum. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Since 1989, the Washington County Historical Society assumed responsibility for the care of the house now known as the Conger House Museum.