American Gothic House & Center
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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).
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...
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!
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.
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!
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.
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)!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
9 months ago
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
2 years ago
3 years ago
Worthwhile 6-mile jog off the highway to see a fun, iconic slice of Americana. Thank you Eldon, Iowa! read more
5 years ago
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
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
8 years ago
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
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
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
13 years ago
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
11 years ago
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
3 years ago
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
4 years ago
10 years ago
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
11 years ago
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
11 years ago
14 years ago
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Ask the Community - American Gothic House & Center
Hi. I'm coming on April 7. Will your visitor center be open and are you allowing costumes to try on to take pictures ? Or only allowing the fork? My bucket list to take a photo in front of the American gothic house! Please let me know.
Thank-you for your inquiry. Yes, the visitor center will be open April 7th. At this time, we are not using costumes, however, it is on the board agenda for April 6th on when to restart using them. Yes, pitchforks are available. In any case, you will…
