Eldon, Iowa - American Gothic House

It's free to come see the house that started it all and strike your own American Gothic pose in front of the place made famous by Iowan Grant Wood. Costumes and pitch fork available! Free will donations accepted.

Enjoy the collection of American Gothic parodies, educational exhibit and videos on Grant Wood's life, put together the magnet puzzles and check out the selection of prints, postcards, stationary, books, totes, T-shirts and other memorabilia in the gift shop. [Jessica Strom, 07/24/2009]

The most spoofed art object ever.

The visitors center staff is very helpful taking photos. No camera, no problem -- they will take your pic and print it off for $2.00. They even have spare batteries they will let you borrow if your camera is low! [Chris & Jill, 06/25/2009]

See the house that inspired Grant Wood's famous American Gothic painting. A small tourism center, gift shop, and museum featuring spoofs on American Gothic are located about six miles from US Hwy 34 between Ottumwa and Fairfield. [Misty A., 11/20/2008]

Newly opened Visitors Center across from the American Gothic House made famous by Grant Wood in painting American Gothic. The American Gothic House Center has a gift shop, media room, and new American Gothic parodies exhibit. Good graphics and story line in the exhibit.

You can borrow clothes and a pitchfork to "pose" for your own American Gothic photo. [Brenda Kremer, 06/18/2007]

Old farm house, shown in painting by Iowa artist Grant Wood and displayed at Chicago Art Institute, featuring bald-headed old man with sour-faced farm lady, and featured on cereal boxes, is still standing in Eldon, Iowa, just southeast of Ottumwa (home of "Radar" of MASH TV series, and home of Tom Arnold, TV and movie star).

Ottumwa, known as "Bridge-City" is also the home of a miniature replica of turn of the century Coal Palace, which was built of coal. [M.T. McGlothlen, 09/16/2000]