About
Come to Eldon, Iowa and view the original façade that inspired Grant Wood to paint American Gothic!
Come to Eldon, Iowa and view the house that inspired Grant Wood to paint American Gothic, one of the most recognized paintings in the world. Tour the adjacent American Gothic House Center which showcases Grant Wood's life and the history of the house. Props on hand encourage visitors to pose in front of the historic American Gothic House and create their own unique American Gothic portrait.
History - Established in 2007.
The American Gothic House, a historic landmark located in southeastern Iowa, is a small farmhouse which was first built in about 1882. It held no particular significance until 1930, when Grant Wood was taking a tour through Eldon and spotted it. The house caught his eye, and eventually became the backdrop for his painting "American Gothic," one of the most iconic American paintings in the world. The house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It's last private owner, Carl E. Smith, donated the house to the State Historical Society of Iowa in 1991, and in 2007 the adjacent visitor center was opened. Today, visitors from all around the world are welcome to visit, view the exterior of the house, get their own photo taken in front of the house (costumes are available at the visitor center), or walk through the visitor center to learn more about the house, the painting, and the artist.
