American Gothic House Center

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. When is the American Gothic House open?

a. The exterior of the house is visible and accessible to visitors 24 hours a day, year-round. The interior is open to the public once a month on the second Saturday from April to October.

2. Why isn’t the American Gothic House open all the time?

a. The house is owned by the State Historical Society of Iowa, not by the American Gothic House Center. The State emphasizes the exterior of the house, since that’s what makes it significant. Grant Wood didn’t live there nor did he ever set foot inside the house. It is under their jurisdiction, and thanks to their willingness to work and collaborate with our Center, we are able to offer monthly public tours during our peak season or for events.

b. Currently, the interior of the American Gothic House is not historically significant enough to warrant more than occasional public tours so the best way to ensure the long-term preservation of not only the interior, but also the exterior of the house, is to limit the amount of foot traffic allowed through the house.

3. I came all the way from (X) and really wanted to see the inside of the house. Can you make an exception?

a. Unfortunately, for day-of requests like this, we cannot accommodate for a variety of reasons. Our staff resources are very limited and volunteers are who make our monthly public tours possible. Without advanced noticed, we can’t open the house because we only schedule enough staff and volunteers to cover day-to-day operations or events.

b. We will consider making an appointment in advance for individuals or small groups (6 people or less) to open the house but this needs to be done at least 2-4 weeks in advance and we can’t guarantee your appointment will be approved as it needs to work with our schedule and availability of staff and/or volunteers.

c. If you want to tour the house and your group is more than 6 people, we ask that you contact us about scheduling a group tour or school field trip.

4. What is the purpose of the American Gothic House Center?

a. The Center opened in 2007 in order to enhance the visitor experience of seeing the American Gothic House.

b. The facility is a visitor center and museum, not a rest area.

5. Is there an admission fee to the Center?

a. Yes. Admission fee is $5 per person aged 13 and over. Under 13 as well as Wapello County residents are free (with proof). Admission fee includes the gallery, media room, use of costumes, and restroom facilities. There is no fee to only enter the gift shop, but restrooms are for museum patrons only. Group discounts may be available with advanced reservations.

6. Is the Center open-year round?

a. Yes. Wednesday through Saturday we are open from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. The Center is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

b. Please note the last admission to the Center is at 3:50 p.m. on all days.

c. In the event you visit when the Center is closed, there is a large monitor with information about Grant Wood, the Center, and the house that can be viewed from the front entrance of the Center 24 hours a day.

d. Visitors are invited to check our Events page prior to visiting to see what’s happening- either to coordinate for participation, to avoid crowds, or for special circumstances during the event. Costumes may not be available on those days.

7. Is the Center open on holidays?

a. No. The Center is closed on major holidays. If you are planning a trip, it might be best to call first or check our website for specifics. We are managed by Wapello County and follow their schedule of paid holidays.

8. Can I still view the exterior of the American Gothic House even if the Center is closed?

a. Yes. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk and visitors are welcome to roam the grounds and take photos.

9. What about inclement weather?

a. The Center may be closed during inclement weather of all types, sometimes unexpectedly. We follow county and school closures in order to keep our staff and visitors safe. Call in advance if you are traveling during questionable weather.

10. Are there staff members available to take our picture in front of the house?

a. In general, no. However, there is a selfie stand available for public use. Timer functions on cameras and cell phones are perfect for this scenario.

11. Are costumes available to borrow?

a. Use of costumes is now part of the admission fee but may not available during rain/snow or during certain events.

12. What is the procedure to check-out costumes and is there a fee?

a. Yes, using the costumes is included in the admission fee. To check them out, you will need your physical driver’s license. Only one license per group is necessary. There is a sign in front of the costumes with procedure details. Please read it in its entirety before approaching the gift shop counter. Instructions can also be found HERE. Please note that costumes may not be available during certain events. See our calendar for the schedule.

13. Can we bring a family gathering or tour group to the Center?

a. Yes, but we ask for at least a 2-4 week advance notice for groups of 10 or more so we can be certain there is enough staff to give your group proper attention.

14. Is there a fee for organized tour groups?

a. There is a fee, depending on the size and desires of the group. Exact figures can be given at the time of reservation.

15. Can you accommodate a tour bus?

a. Yes, depending on the size of the group and time of year with advance notice.

16. What about parking for large vehicles?

a. We have a paved parking lot large enough to accommodate RVs or tour buses.

17. Is there a gift shop and do you accept credit cards?

a. Yes, and yes. We do not have Apple Pay, however. There is no admission charge to only enter the gift shop.

18. Is the building handicap accessible?

a. Yes, the American Gothic House Center is one level and bathrooms are accessible. There is a wheelchair on-site for customer use. The American Gothic House itself, however, is not accessible. There are stairs and narrow entryways.

b. There is a guide book written in Braille, QR codes for those wishing to hear information instead of read it, and we have a closed-captioned video upon request.

19. Is there anything for kids to do?

a. Yes. We have several hands-on children’s exhibits. There is a kid’s video with an accompanying picture book with words for children with hearing difficulties.

20. I am visiting from another country. Do you have guide books in different languages?

a. Yes. There are guides written in German, Spanish, Japanese, and Russian.

21. When was the American Gothic House built and by whom?

a. It was built in 1881-82 by Charles and Catherine Dibble.

22. How many rooms are in the American Gothic House?

a. Originally, there were four rooms- 2 downstairs and 2 upstairs with a steep, narrow staircase connecting the two floors. In the 1920’s, the kitchen and bathroom were added by Gideon Jones and Mary Hart Jones, owners at the time.

23. Does anyone live in the American Gothic House?

a. No. The last tenant to live there was Beth Howard, known as the “Pie Lady,” and she moved out in 2014.

24. Did the people in the painting ever live in the house?

a. No. In fact, they didn’t pose together in front of the house, either. They were added in after Grant Wood returned to Cedar Rapids to complete the painting. The female was Grant Wood’s sister, Nan Wood, and the male was his dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby. They didn’t meet for the first time until 12 years after the completion of the painting.

25. Are the people in the painting husband and wife or father and daughter?

a. Grant Wood never interpreted his own paintings, but the model for the girl in the painting was Grant Wood’s sister, Nan Wood, and she claimed them to be father and daughter due to their apparent age difference.

26. Why did Grant Wood come to Eldon?

a. He was invited to Edward Rowan’s art exhibit.

27. Who owned the house in 1930 when Grant Wood did the painting?

a. Gideon Jones and Mary Hart Jones.

28. Is the American Gothic House on the National Register of Historic Places?

a. Yes. It was given this designation in 1974 under the name “The Dibble House.”

29. Why does the State Historical Society of Iowa own the American Gothic House?

a. It was donated to them by Carl E. Smith in 1991.

30. Why is the house referred to as “gothic?”

a. It is due to the architectural style called Carpenter Gothic, where emphasis is on the vertical and includes a large “gothic” window (aka lancet window), decorative pillars, steep pitched roof, and vertical board and batten siding.

31. Is this the original house from the painting or has it been moved?

a. Yes, this is the original house sketched by Grant Wood. The house has not been moved but there used to be a road in front of it, which has since been vacated, giving the impression the house is in a different location.

32. Where is the painting American Gothic now?

a. The painting is still owned by the Art Institute of Chicago. They purchased it after Wood received third place at their art contest in 1930. Wood received $300 prize money then another $300 from the purchase. Today, the painting is considered to be priceless.

33. I have concerns about the American Gothic House or its property. Who do I contact?

a. You must contact the State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines.

34. When can the public express their voice about the American Gothic House Center?

a. The American Gothic House Center Advisory Board meets on the first Thursday of even numbered months at 5:00 p.m. at the Center. The Wapello County Conservation Board manages the Center and their Board meets on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Pioneer Ridge Nature Center. The City of Eldon owns the Center and the property it sits on and the Eldon City Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at Eldon City Hall.

35. What else is there to see at the Center or in Eldon?

a. The Chippewa Creek Disc Golf Course begins and ends next to the American Gothic House and Center. A restored prairie and native prairie gardens are also on-site. Picnic areas are available both at the Center and at the Des Moines River Scenic Overlook a few blocks away. Other area attractions include: Sioc Cemetery, Eldon’s Carnegie Library, McHaffey Opera House, Eldon Depot Museum, Lockkeeper’s House, Iowaville Cemetery, Ace Graphics Printing and Corner Store, Necessities Mercantile, Ostrander Florist and Greenhouse, and Pioneer Ridge Nature Center. Places to eat include Chommy’s Bar and Grill.