2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA

As usual with most of the interesting sites I visit, I stumble upon them by accident.  That's the story here as well while passing through Ottumwa, IA last weekend with my mother.  We noticed the classic brown signs pointing to the American Gothic House so we went for a visit.

Even if you don't know the name of the famous painting, you've most likely seen it and would recognize it simply from someone describing it.  It is one of the most widely recognized paintings in the world and the backdrop for that famous painting was right here in the heartland of Iowa.

Painter Grant Wood was trying to depict rural life in the great plains during the depression era.  While the piece is supposed to illustrate father and daughter, the models for the painting are actually Wood's sister and dentist.  The structure in the background of the painting is real and still located today in Eldon, IA.  The American Gothic House site now has a visitor center and any one of the very gracious volunteers would LOVE to put you in costume for a photograph.  Best of all, their help and use of the costumes is free.

Like I said earlier, the painting is supposed to illustrate father and daughter.  I found it interesting that I was able to be in costume for a photograph taken as mother and son.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA The original American Gothic The original American Gothic	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House in costume Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House in costume
2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA The American Gothic House The American Gothic House	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA The creator of American Gothic, Grant Wood The creator of American Gothic, Grant Wood	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA Wood's sister and dentist Wood's sister and dentist