American Gothic House Center

Ok here comes the confession:
I was looking for a spooky black goth house not realizing this is one of the most if not #1 paintings that has a huge cult parody following. Also very famous architecture. Once I figured it all out I was amazed and in awe that I was standing in front of the house where the famous picture was taken. Lots of history and photo opps. You can dress up for a fee and have your pic taken in front of the famous house, there are nature trails as well. There is a gift shop and a small area with more photos and history. The small area in the back of the gift shop is blocked by velvet ropes and there is a fee to get back there. *That's also where the *bathrooms are located and you have to pay the fee to use the restroom.* That was the only down side especially after our long drive. It's very beautiful there and lots of room to just roam around, get the kids and pets out of the car and have a really nice walk.

While wandering the backroads amongst the fall colors, we journeyed to quaint Eldon, Iowa. In addition to the house itself, the landscaping and history museum made this trip very enjoyable. There's a good place to eat and have your favorite beverage nearby, too.

Very nice travel experience in South Central Iowa Town of Eldon. Nice museum witn nice displays and plenty of information on the house, painting and Grant Wood, the artist. The house is open to see, but the real attraction is the historic home. With your paid admission, you can get costuming and pitchfork to reprise the American Gothic painting.

A must see if you are in the area. The museum was wonderful and the attendant was very nice and helpful!

Great place to visit! Very friendly hosts and beautiful scenery. A must see!

I wanted to include this stop while working my road survey assignment in Iowa. As luck would have it? Our very last record was just 14 miles away. Worth the trip, even though the inside of the house is closed for viewing until September 14, 2019. Seeing that house made famous by Grant Wood made it worth it. Loved the grounds and the center.

We were at the American Gothic prior to the building opening but the signage outside had so much information. A great stop to educate about Iowa Art! Will stop again when the education center is open.

Important part of our American Art history. Iowa historic house site that was the backdrop for the American Gothic painting. The place is well kept. The gift shop will lend you a pitchfork for your own photographic version of the painting. This was closed when we were there.. so no pitchfork for us!
Beautiful pollinator flowerbeds along the sidewalk leading to the gift store. We had a lovely time there.

If you're enamored with American art and regionalism as I am, this is a must visit. Grant was a very prolific artist and Iowan even beyond American Gothic which this home highlights. The docent here is very knowledgeable and incredibly kind. If you're in the area you should visit.

We stumbled across this site while traveling through the southern half of Iowa. It is very nicely curated with everything you would ever want to know for an introduction to Grant Wood - his life, family and rural roots.

It is worth the trip. I like traveling coast to coast in Iowa on Hwy 2. It's very relaxing as well as beautiful. On this route you will also find evidence that the last presidential election didn't occur as reported. Apparently, the news is slow to reach this portion of the state.

Anyway, this is awfully special even for Iowa.

Cool place. When I saw I was only 6 miles away, I had to go see it. I would do it again if I had a little more time just to really look at the museum

Very well done for such a small place. Any fan of Americana should stop if in the area. We were on motorcycles and met a couple from Indonesia who said it was a must see for them.

Amazing place! Friendly, clean, and lots of information! No entry fee but there was a donation box. Even had pitchforks that could be used in our pictures

I'd love to se it in spring for the great variety of flowers in front of the center, the place is very calm, peaceful, quiet and friendly, as soon as you turn left between the house and the center, there is a trail, across the other side of the town there is a river access, looking forward to go there next time I stop

It was a unique experience!! I mean, if you want to actually appreciate it, read about it and be familiar with it before you decide to make the trip.

Very neat but would of been nice if the visitor center was open but glad we stopped

Friendly staff and informative. They have pitch forks and will take you picture for you if they’re not to busy. Free, but there is a donation box and maybe give the employee a few bucks for taking you pictures in front of the house.

10/10 recommend. Fun for ALL ages. The cute little museum has excellent information and fun, educational activities for children. It is so well done! You can tell that the team behind this place were very intentional with each and every little thing. The gift shop was also so wonderful, lots to chose from! There was also costumes to use to take a perfect replica photo in front of the house. I am SO GLAD we passed through this town and followed the signs to this accidental destination. It was a great addition to a road trip!

I pulled up at this place in the middle of the night bumping Kendrick Lamar. Felt like I was the only person in the world. Spooky and fun to see at night.

Came back the next day, but had just missed the visitor center hours so we borrowed the pitchfork from the statue to recreate the famous Painting. Well; if you ever are in the area, i'd recommend it. But it's a long drive from anywhere else notable to go see. And there really isn't anything else out there but corn fields and silos.

Definitely check it out at night if you are driving past it. It's only a two minute drive off the highway.

We walked around the museum and there is a tour available but we didn't do that this trip maybe next time