Around Des Moines

Iowa celebrations reach gothic proportions this weekend. “American Gothic,” that is. From June 7 - 9, the town of Eldon (map) unveils the Gothic House Visitor and Educational Center amid a weekend of festivities.

The new center is located just across the street from one of the one most recognizable homes in the world: the backdrop for Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.” The 1930’s painting features a dour young lady and stern, pitchfork-wielding man in front of a humble home with Gothic Revival-style window. It’s a scene that’s been reinvented countless times as the most-parodied image ever painted.

For decades the little home has attracted a small, but steady stream of travelers. Many, like my husband and I, have made our way through the tiny town of Eldon to have our photo snapped “gothic-style” before the prominent arched window. We posed for the picture shown here some thirteen years ago, then searched high and low for any other amusement to occupy our time. With the addition of the visitor center, visitors today won’t have to look so hard; the facility houses a growing collection of “American Gothic” parodies, exhibits on the painting and its artist, plus a gift shop.

Visitors stopping by this weekend will enjoy an even wider variety of activities. Saturday events include a 10 a.m. parade, one o’clock ribbon-cutting, a book sale, quilt and craft shows plus tours of historic buildings. Sporting events are planned for Sunday.

For more information on the house, visitor center or this weekend’s festivities, visit the Des Moines Register.

Guest Author: Brenda Friedrich

technorati tags: Home Turf Media, Iowa American Gothic, Eldon, Grant Wood