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November 2023 by Cindy Kokel
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.
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September 2023 by Charissa T.
We arrived after hours so we're unable to go through the visitors center. Directions for taking a mock American Gothic photo were clear and accessible after hours. Great random find on our road trip.
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July 2023 by Jennifer M.
Worthwhile 6-mile jog off the highway to see a fun, iconic slice of Americana. Thank you Eldon, Iowa!
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July 2023 by PartyTheNightAway
Good trip. We arrived at approximately 3:30 pm and made our way inside the museum. The museum was very tiny and consisted of several informational plaques, that detailed the significance of the painting and the detail that went into it. There was also information provided on the artist himself, and how he chose the location and the people in the painting. There was a short, informational video playing inside the museum, about the background of the painting. Inside the museum, were several costumes to choose from, if you wanted to pose outside the house itself. There were also multiple informational plaques outside the house as well, that gave us more information on how the painting was constructed. There were restrooms and a gift shop inside the main building. Tip: I recommend spending 45 minutes here if you truly want to see everything.
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July 2023 by Robert Schmidt
You see a sign enough times and you think it’s a sign. I had no idea what American Gothic was, but the small brown signs were intriguing. I found myself in the small town of Eldon traveling between Ames, Iowa and St Louis. There is a Railroad museum on the main drag, closed when I passed through. The Gothic House is a short distance into a neighborhood. The house is featured in the background of the painting “American Gothic.” There is a gift shop, good informational signage and a fun photo opportunity. The gift shop was closed when I went but the house was still available to be seen. I wouldn’t miss it if I were in Eldon, having been transported back in time to relive my life.
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June 2023 by Dan Evans
Driving across Iowa on one of my many treks, we decided to visit The American Gothic House Center in Eldon, and so glad that we did!Cari and Deb were incredibly kind and welcoming, plus they shared a lot of wonderful information about the small white house that led to Grant Wood's iconic painting.If you have a chance, visit the home on the second Saturday of the month, as you can receive an interior tour that you'll never forget.Nearly 100 hundred years after Wood visited Eldon, it is definitely worth a visit.
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June 2023 by welv2trvl
We did not take the tour of the museum, but the house and grounds were well kept. The location was very well marked and easy to find. It was well worth the diversion from our trip.
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May 2023 by Gary
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.
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May 2023 by Homer S.
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.
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March 2023 by Joshuan H.
An appropriate tribute to the house that inspired the painting. Good photo opportunities. Helpful docents.
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February 2023 by Sara Luckritz
We were in the area from out of town, so we decided to stop by... it was around 10 minutes to 1, and apparently they had an event in the morning so a woman shouted out the door to us they were closed until 1. We waited, mainly because we wanted to borrow a pitchfork for a picture (they also have costumes available to borrow at no cost), to see the museum. At 1, my mother, who is a senior citizen, asked to use the restroom... after being grilled that she would be going through the FREE museum, she was pointed in the right direction. We walked through the museum (it took about 5 minutes total... it's one room and very small) and then grabbed a pitchfork for some pictures outside in front of the house. They have a selfie station to use the timer on your phone to snap a shot or two. Returned our pitchfork and we were off. Super quick trip. I believe the house is available to tour during the summer (bottom floor, only), but it's just one of those neat roadside attractions... they also have a gift shop with the museum.
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November 2022 by august fds
How do you go to Iowa and not see the house by Grant Wood? You can't go in most days, but it doesn't really matter because it's not famous for the interior. There was one woman in the visitor center. You basically have 3 panels of information to read with a kid's video being played really loudly on a loop. Bathrooms are for visitors only. You can take a pitchfork out for a photo. No one else was there when we visited. You have the option to watch a 30 min video. You drive thru a very rural neighborhood that seems very poor. The city should really market the house better and bring more tourism to the city.
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October 2022 by ShelleyJ
Lovely attraction with a small Grant Wood museum, nice gift shop, and short film. Borrow a pitchfork and take your photo!
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September 2022 by gmetzler78
Incredibly disappointing, today we drove hours out of our way to get a picture in costume with the pitchfork. Apparently they only do that on weekends.
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September 2022 by Luis Peña
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
