"Was Iowa ever American Gothic?"

"The house is still there, but is the much-parodied icon still relevant to the Midwest?" Bill Glauber tells the story.

"To really understand the grip the painting has on the imagination of Iowans, and by extension Midwesterners, it pays to visit Eldon, population 956, around 100 miles southeast of Des Moines. Here are the keepers of the “American Gothic” flame, the people who live with the original home that forms the backdrop to the painting."

"American Gothic" Through a Sontag Lens

Interesting comments on "American Gothic."

"American Gothic has minimized the world's view of Iowa and Midwestern lifestyles forever. For people who have never visited Iowa but have seen American Gothic, Iowa seems to be a simple place with equally as simple, good (although not too happy), and hard-working people. To some, most Iowans live in a farmhouse in small towns like West Branch, and attend church every Sunday (if they notice the steeple in the background of Wood's painting that is). This may be true of SOME Iowans, but not ALL Iowans."

Anniversary of Grant Wood's Birthday

Grant Wood was born on a small farm near Anamosa, Iowa on February 13, 1891.

Key to Wood’s famous painting is adaptability

"ELDON — The American Gothic House Center will sponsor a trip to Des Moines on March 22 to view the original “American Gothic” painting."

Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord

Saturday, February 7 was a beautiful day! About 50 people came out to the Eldon KD Center to enjoy some hot soup in celebration of the 118th Anniversary of Grant Wood's Birthday. The fundraiser brought in over $300 to help support projects for the American Gothic House Center.