Group tours to the American Gothic House & Center in Eldon, Iowa, are a great addition to any tour itinerary. Whether you are interested in history, art, a great photo opportunity, or a stroll through a native prairie garden, we have something for everyone! At the American Gothic House & Center, your party can pose for a photograph in front of the original building immortalized by Grant Wood’s 1930 iconic painting. American Gothic has become the second most recognized work of art in the world and depicts a father holding a pitchfork while his daughter looks on. The models used were Wood’s sister and dentist, with the Eldon house in the background. This scene can be replicated by positioning group members against the famous gothic-style window on the house façade. Groups can view the museum’s exhibit gallery, watch educational films on Wood’s legacy, and even see inside the first floor of the house. The Center has bus parking, restrooms, one wheelchair, and two outdoor picnic tables for your use. Visit lengths vary depending on how many people in your group and how many activities you would like to participate in. Time spent here varies between 30 and 90 minutes, with an average stay lasting about an hour. Tours may be scheduled outside of our normal hours of operation with advanced arrangement. We ask that tours are scheduled at least 3-4 weeks in advance and have a minimum of 8 people in attendance. In order to ensure we have enough staff on hand to accommodate groups, we may ask for a fee of $2.00 per person.
Our current visitor hours are:
MON-TUES:        CLOSED
WED-SAT:            10AM- 4PM
SUN:                      1PM- 4PM
The last admission to the center is 3:50PM
We are closed in observance of major holidays and possibly during inclement weather.
The American Gothic House is only open to the general public on select days, mid-April through mid-October.
Please contact Cari Nicely, administrator, at 641-652-3352 or email cnicely@wapellocounty.org to schedule a tour or for more information.
American Gothic House Center
Address: 300 American Gothic Street
Eldon, Iowa 52554
Website: https://americangothichouse.org
Facebook: @AmericanGothicHouse