The home of Iowa's first territorial governor, Robert Lucas, is a small, two-story, red-brick home situated on four quiet, wooded acres. Lucas and his wife, Friendly, lived in the house from 1844 to 1853. Plum Grove has seven main rooms; four downstairs and three upstairs, plus an attached one-story kitchen. The home, with its modest furnishings, has been restored to appear as it would have when the Lucas' lived there.

Robert Lucas, former Governor of Ohio, was appointed in 1838 by the President of the United States, Martin Van Buren, to serve as the first Governor of the Territory of Iowa. When Robert Lucas arrived in Iowa in 1838, only 21 of the present day counties had been created out of the Black Hawk Purchase, the Half-Breed Tract, the Keokuk Reserve, and the Second Black hawk Purchase.

The house changed owners several times until purchased by the State of Iowa in 1941. The house was restored and furnished with 150-year-old furniture reflecting the Lucas residency during the 1840s and 1850s. The seven room house does not have closets. In 1844, closets were considered rooms and property taxes were based on the number of rooms in the house which meant higher taxes. Plum Grove was altered after it was sold by the Lucas family, but the State of Iowa eventually restored it to its original condition.

Memorial Day to Labor Day: Wednesday–Sunday from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

Labor Day to Halloween: Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. by group appointment.