You may not realize it, but one of the most recognized houses in the world stands in tiny Eldon, Iowa.

American Gothic House, Eldon, Iowa

This humble house, built in the early 1880′s, caught the eye of Iowa artist Grant Wood because of its beautiful Gothic window which he called, “pretentious for such a small house.”  After asking permission to use the house as a background for a painting, Grant Wood went on to create an icon recognized the world over.  In fact, Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2012″ lists the American Gothic House as one of the “Top 10 Places to Put Yourself in the Picture”.

Visiting The American Gothic House

Tiny Eldon, Iowa is located in the south east corner of the state.  Most people who find the house are following the Grant Wood Trail or are luck upon it on their way to the Villages of Van Buren.

Next to the American Gothic House is the Visitors Center.  This free museum shares the history of Grant Wood, including letters donated by his sister Nan Wood Graham, who was his female model for the American Gothic painting (the male model was his dentist Dr. B.H. McKeeby).

My favorite part of the exhibit was the many parodies of American Gothic, including Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Muppets, Barbie and Looney Toones.

American Gothic Parodies

Put Yourself in the Picture

The friendly staff at the American Gothic House Center are happy to help you get the right photo.  Just ask and they will advise you on the best place to stand and even take the photo for you.  You can even get the true American Gothic feel by dressing up in provided costumes and holding a pitchfork.

American Gothic Style

Of course you’ll want to take a “traditional” American Gothic photo- but then ham it up a bit!  Poke your partner with a pitchfork or add a bit of modern times to your image.

Don’t leave without a stop in the gift shop; the American Gothic House is free to visit so any purchases made help support the site (donations are also accepted).

Tips for Visiting American Gothic House:

Open daily year round:

May-September: Sunday & Monday 1-4pm; Tuesday thru Saturday 10am-5pm

October-April: Saturday thru Monday 1-4pm; Tuesday thru Friday 10am-4pm

Closed for observed holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday After Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day

If the weather is bad a cut-out version of the house is available for indoor photos.

American artist Grant Wood is a native of Iowa, and his home state has embraced his art and his memory.  Perhaps best known for “American Gothic,” Wood had a knack for capturing the essence of rural life.  Traveling through Iowa, there are several places where enthusiasts can learn more about this folk artist and his life.  You can follow Grant Wood’s trail through Iowa in these places:

• Grant Wood Studio, Cedar Rapids: See where Grant Wood created many of his famous pieces of art, in his studio/apartment in downtown Cedar Rapids.  Here you can learn how he got his start, how he spent his time when not painting, and about his family life while standing in the same sunlight he used while painting his famous works.
  
• Stone City, Iowa: The painting was named after the city, and if you drive slowly while approaching Stone City from the southwest, you can see Stone City as Grant Wood depicted it.  Today the tiny town honors Grant Wood with a replica of the American Gothic House where you can pose for your own photo.  Grant Wood also started an art colony and school in Stone City.
• Grant Wood Art Festival, Anamosa:  The city where Grant Wood was born honors its native son with an art festival each June, and the Grant Wood Art Gallery offers another look at the local artist.
• Art Museums: The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art boasts the largest collection of Grant Wood art in the world, but other pieces can be found in art museums in Dubuque and Davenport as well.  (If you want to see American Gothic, you’ll have to drive out of state to its home at the Art Institute of Chicago.)
• American Gothic House Center, Eldon:  The house that inspired American Gothic is still standing in the small town of Eldon, Iowa, and a museum provides more information about Grant Wood as well as free loans of costumes and a pitchfork if you want to be featured in your own American Gothic photo.

To learn more about Grant Wood, see the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art’s Grant Wood Trail page.

Photos courtesy of the author.

Linda (minnemom) writes about family travel
at Travels with Children.