Palmer College of Chiropractic

Chiropractic History

B.J. and Mabel Palmer Mansion

The B.J. and Mabel Palmer residence on the Palmer campus has been preserved by the College because of its place in Iowa history, Davenport history and chiropractic history.

The Mansion was home to B.J. and Mabel Palmer from 1912 until their deaths, Mabel in 1949 and B.J. in 1961. Their son Dave was raised in the house, and it was also home to various relatives that spent summers with "Uncle B.J." and "Aunt Mamie."

The Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 because of the uniqueness of the porch, a showplace of the Palmer collections. Although the house only holds a fraction of the collections once owned by the Palmers, it is still a wonderful example of the collecting mania that gripped the world travelers of that era.

The house has been closed to visitors and has undergone extensive updating of mechanicals during 2004-2006. It is scheduled to reopen to visitors in Summer 2006.

The Mansion will be open during celebrations of Palmer College of Chiropractic, such as Homecoming and graduations, and also by appointment. A nominal admission is charged for bus groups and donations are gratefully accepted and used for the continued upkeep of the house.

A group called the Friends of the Mansion helps in the preservation and conservation of the house and its grounds.