I have driven by the signs for the house many times on 34/163 but never taken the time to investigate until now. It was a really cool stop with lots to look at and a bargain price of $5/person. Didn't have time to do all of it, but I'm sure I'll go back when I have more time. Thoroughly enjoyed the information about the artist in the time I had, and I loved that many of the exhibits were interactive and very child friendly in nature. Recommend for a family outing, a lover of art history, or just a quick weekend of fun! read more

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For the fans of art, history, architecture, or roadside attractions, this is a spot to stop for! There's a museum ($5/person) that's full of information about the artist and the painting. The museum details the artwork and life of Grant Wood. There's learning activities for kids throughout, an opportunity to put costumes over your clothes as a photo opportunity in front of the house, and a neat little gift shop. I don't know if it's a place you visit more than once, but I'm so glad to have been! The $5 was worth it in my opinion and visiting in the spring was great as the have an extensive native plant garden that was in full bloom when we were there. read more

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The American Gothic House and Museum in Eldon, Iowa was still a really cool stop even though I arrived too late to tour the museum itself. Seeing the actual house from such an iconic painting in person was surprisingly special and instantly recognizable. It is one of those places where you feel the weight of art history just standing there, even without going inside. I loved being able to walk around the exterior, take photos, and appreciate how such a simple house became so famous. If you have better timing than I did, I'm sure it would be worth planning ahead to see the museum too. read more

American Gothic House & Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

We were in south central Iowa and found this cool historical site...Grant Wood grew up in Cedar Rapids but was visiting this small town and spotted the tiny iconic white house with the Gothic-arched window... he went back home and painted what is now one of the most well recognized paintings ever (I just saw yet another parody of it in a recent magazine). I've been here twice now, once when the visitors center was open. There is a small fee for browsing the center and borrowing costumes to take selfies with...when the center is closed you can still visit the house (exterior only) and gardens...there's a convenient selfie stand, of course! It's not in the easiest location to get to, but worth a quick visit (and selfie). read more

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It was awesome. The people were super friendly was a good time. I recommend more people visit

I was sorry the buildings weren't open the day we were there, but the grounds were still open, as were the rest rooms. I noticed an interesting plant in the gardens and sent an email to ask what it was - what a pleasant surprise to get a prompt and helpful response! It was a nice little stop for our family to see something unique and fitting the local community. read more

Grant Wood! This is THE house from the iconic painting. Everyone knows the painting of the dude with the pitchfork and the girl standing next to him in front of a white house. This is the white house! Whoa. Coming here is like stepping into the painting. They have the perfect vantage point set up where you can stand and get the perfect selfie. They've even got a statue of the folks from the painting where you can get the selfie- the farmer's glasses even have a reflection of farms of Iowa. The center is free, as far as I could tell. There's free parking. I showed up after it had closed, but was still able to go right up to the house. Apparently, they offer tours of the interior of the house, but since it was the exterior of the house that was painted, I had little interest in going inside. They also seem to have a gift shop, but that was closed when I went. The house is located off the main road, off another road, and off that road. It's not really close to anything, but it's a scenic drive through the corn rows to get to Eldon. read more

Worthwhile 6-mile jog off the highway to see a fun, iconic slice of Americana. Thank you Eldon, Iowa! read more

American Gothic House & Center - Welcome to Eldon! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

America's most iconic work of art was born in dinky Eldon Iowa!!! Now a historic spot with adjacent visitors center, it's a MUST SEE stop while rambling rural Iowa. The visitors center is well organized and fascinating. While I was there guests from 9 other states and several European countries signed the guest book. The perfectly preserved cottage stands as backdrop for hundreds of selfie parody pix every day. They will even loan you a hay fork to make your picture more complete. Great time and you might even learn something! read more

American Gothic House & Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

If you are at all familiar with Grant Wood's American Gothic, this is a fun (and informative) stop to make. The fun part is that you can dress up in costume and have your photo taken either in front of the house that the house in the painting was modeled after or any of a few other props. You can learn about Woods' life and career as an artist and there is a cute gift shop. Donations are accepted. read more

American Gothic House & Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

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Sunday Drive Roadside Attraction? Yes, this is truly One...The volunteer Host made it a wonderful Hour of Fun, Learning, Laughing, and something to remember... Definitely get dressed up and take some pictures as you will see whom is a dead ringer or a great ridiculer! All in All a very interesting Non_Profit That shows that American Art is Alive and Well...Great little place to make a day Getaway in Iowa's beautiful Greenbelt; Enjoy, let your serious sides down and make a Super Duper Photo Opportunity... read more

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We took the family and went to visit the American Gothic House in Eldon, Iowa. It was worth the trip. We learned a lot about Grantwood and the American Gothic House. The house is currently under construction to redo the porch and water proof the basement. It was still a great stop to see. It was worth the drive! read more

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A nice stop for those who enjoy Americana. Quite cool to stand in front of the iconic house that inspired one of our country's most iconic paintings. Visitor center has costumes and pitchforks you can check out for you pictures. read more

Grant Wood was in his late 30s when he was touring Eldon, Iowa with fellow artist, a young painter named John Sharp. He made note of the small cottage, with the unusual feature of a medieval Gothic window in such a small frame house. His biographer, Darrell Garwood, noted that Wood "thought it a form of borrowed pretentiousness, a structural absurdity, to put a Gothic-style window in such a flimsy frame house." After obtaining permission of the owners, the Jones family, Wood sketched the house, reportedly on the back of an envelope. If you compare the painting to a photo of the house, you can see that Wood gave the house a steeper roof and a longer window. He also added the barn and his own curtains, including the upper window curtains, which coordinate with the woman's colonial print apron. Wood said he painted the house with the kind of people he thought should live in it. The father of a spinster daughter, with stern looks, have been interpreted several different ways over the years, not all so favorably. Generally, it is thought Wood painted the couple to appear to have American rural values and strength, with the determination required to work the land. The hay fork represents hard labor, the flowers over the woman's shoulder represent domesticity. The tines of the hay fork are reflected in the stitching of the man's coveralls, his shirt, and the window frame. The man was modeled after Wood's dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby (1867-1950) who practiced in Cedar Rapids. He was not terribly fond of his depiction in the painting, nor was the woman. She was Nan Wood, Grant's sister. Neither ever posed in front of the house, in fact, they did not pose together. Wood never returned to Eldon, either, and worked from his sketches and a photograph of the house. The painting is also a key element in a movement called Regionalism, popular with American artists in the 1920s up to the 1950s, depicting local and rural America. "American Gothic" may be the second most identifiable painting in the world, after the "Mona Lisa" and the two of them are certainly the most parodied paintings in the world. You can create your own parody of the painting in Eldon, at the American Gothic House Visitor Center. Costume props are readily available for almost all sizes, all you need is someone to shoot the photo. read more

American Gothic House & Center - Be sure to have your photo taken, just you and you. The center has costumes for you, all you need is a photographer! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

An appropriate tribute to the house that inspired the painting. Good photo opportunities. Helpful docents.

The American Gothic House is always a must stop while visiting my family. My grandmother grew up in Eldon on Walnut Street. I recall all the years it was not a tourist destination, but rather a house on a backstreet with just a plaque. Now the house includes a visitor's center, parking lot, and multitudes of visitors. I stopped by on an afternoon after hours so I had it all to myself. It is a peaceful place to enjoy sundown. read more

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one of the most fun things in the world! i thought it would just be a house with a sign or something but it was not. it was a full-blown museum, with lots of interesting displays, information, gift shop, and even really nice bathrooms. there are really nice people running it who truly love the house and the history and the art. they were the nicest people ever, and so sweet. when you're here, you can even dress up as the people in the painting and they will take your picture - for FREE. there are no gimmicks here, just a labor of love. the place runs on donations, so give generously (or buy something hilariously cool from the gift shop)! read more

American Gothic House & Center - awesome cheesy picture for free!!! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

What a treasure we stumbled across driving down the Highway. About 10 minutes off the main road and it is well worth the journey if you've been interested in the American Gothic painting. The hostess at the visitor center was adorable and very knowledgeable about the house and history. I'm so glad we went off the beaten path to visit. read more

American Gothic House & Center - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

No disappointment at the American gothic house! We drove the 15 minute drive from ottumwa to find a gorgeous piece of land. The area is wonderfully maintained and has some amazing informational boards. read more

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We've heard about the American Gothic House for a couple years and finally got down a chance to visit and we were not disappointed. The second most recognized image in the art world is a nestled off the main road in the town of Eldon, pop 927. The chance to come see this place is like having the opportunity to talk with Mona Lisa and ask her if she's happy or sad, but here you get a chance to put on American Gothic garb and pose for your own parody of the famous portrait. During the summer months, the Pitchfork Pie Stand is operated over of the house and you get a chance to walk in the living room and check out some of the better pie we've ever tasted. Inside the center, there's a lovely area with plenty of information about the history of the portrait, Grant wood (the artist) and some very nice volunteers who tell stories about the inspiration behind the picture. The gift shop has eveything from shirts to DVDs and will give you plenty of opportunities to bring friends and family members proof you saw THE American Gothic house. Great folks working here, some excellent photo ops and chance to visit one of the most iconic places in the world are reason enough to visit Eldon. The pie shop in the summer is a bonus to an already wonderful trip! read more

A must see for any art lover. The staff is so accommodating, I was concerned me and my boyfriend would have to do a selfie but a staff member helped us with the costumes and took our picture. It was perfect, thanks Holly. read more

American Gothic House & Center - Back of the house, even a clothes line. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

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Coming back from my visiting my sister and brother in law in St. Louis I decided to make the side trip and go see the American Gothic House in Eldon. I'm glad I made the trip out there. The house and center are on the outskirts of Eldon. The house is well maintained. The person at the museum was very friendly and knowledgeable. The small museum had a number of materials on Grant Wood and his sister Nan - who was the model for the daughter - along with materials on Wood's family and Dr. Byron McKeeby - who was the model for the father in the painting. The center has costumes available for those who want to have their pictures taken in front of the house. The museum has copies of the more interesting couples, including a couple in full Klingon makeup. I would recommend visiting the center and the house. read more

American Gothic House & Center - The American Gothic House, Eldon, Iowa. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Eldon, Iowa

Can't help but love Americana History. Worth going to this iconic place where Grant Woods made his mark. We were in Fairfield, So it was certainly close enough. It is Free Donation and you get to dress up and take a photo...which we did. It encouraged us to buy a T-shirt as a donation. Our Daughter is an Artist (she joined us) and we appreciate how significant this was in the era it was done and how it has been saterized by so many over the years. Very cordial Docents. read more

What a hidden gem! Great center that celebrates the works of Grant Wood and knowledgable and friendly staff. You are encouraged to have fun and dress up for an American Gothic photo in front of the original house that inspired the painting. Plenty of room in the spacious parking lot for an RV. Worth the drive! read more

great visitors center. They even had period cloths to dress up in, complete with a pitchfork. worth a visit!