Happy holidays to all of our followers!
The Center will be closed Friday, December 23-Sunday, December 25. The Center will reopen on Monday, December 26. Our Monday hours are 1-4pm.
Last week, Beth Howard, Pie Lady and current tenant of the American Gothic House, was featured on “The Story”, a National Public Radio broadcast. You can here her interview at this link: http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_121511_full_show.mp3/view
Oh, and for those in the Ottumwa area, be sure to check out the Holiday Nights ‘n Lights display! I was excited to see they had American Gothic created from lights! I tried to take a picture to add to the newsletter, but unfortunately it did not turn out, so you can check it out by going through the Holiday Nights ‘n Lights! http://holidaynightsandlights.com/
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
"Woolly Thoughts" of American Gothic
A new cold front moving in to the area has turned the American Gothic House Center frigid after hitting over 60 degrees yesterday. I popped out once from the Center today to take a picture for some visitors in front of the house, and now I’m feeling chilled to the bone! I felt a bit warmer after receiving an email from a company called Woolly Thoughts that has created a very interesting knitted version of American Gothic. The technique is called “illusion knit” where you don’t see the image from the front, but only from the sides of the piece.
You can also see a video of the work at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Df3R8g8nc
You can check out Woolly Thoughts at their website to learn more about this technique http://www.illusionknitting.woollythoughts.com They even have patterns for purchase to make your own American Gothic illusion knit. I think I might have to get some for our gift shop!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Holiday happenings this weekend in Eldon!
It is time again for the American Gothic House Center annual Gingerbread House Display! The entries this year are very cute and creative…and have already filled most of the Center with their sweet smell! The display will be up today through December 14 during regular museum hours.
This Saturday we will host the Gingerbread House Activity from 1:00-4:00pm. Stop by the Center and make your own gingerbread house with graham crackers, frosting and candy! We will have treats for everyone who stops by and you will have a chance to see the submitted gingerbread houses on display.
And be sure to see all of the other activities going on in Eldon this weekend! The “Tour of Homes” is also Saturday with tours running from 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available at the Opera House that day.
The Eldon Depot will have their Christmas Celebration Friday from 12:00-5:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am-9:00pm. Bring the kids as they will be running the trains during open hours and plan to run the big train around on the flat to see Christmas lights after dark!
Stop by the Opera House December 2-4 and December 10-11 for the annual Christmas Tree Wonderland. See over 100 decorated Christmas trees and seasonal vignettes on the ground floor of the opera house. There will be a gift booth and bake sale held in conjunction with the displayed trees. Seating is provided so that you may sit and enjoy a snack and listen to the Christmas music.
Also, don’t forget there is just over a week left to bid on the Jerry Ranch window print! ALL of the proceeds go towards the Center’s Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge grant. It would make a great gift and supports a great cause at the same time! You can find more information about the auction at this link: http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/events/auction.html
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving from AGHC!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
The Center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but open Friday, November 25 from 1-4 pm. We will then resume our regular winter hours of Saturday-Monday 1-4pm and Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm.
And remember, there are just over two weeks left to bid on the Jerry Ranch Photo Auction! All proceeds from the auction will go towards our Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Campaign, so it is a great piece of art for a great cause! The auction runs until 5:00 pm on December 9th. Bids can be made on our website, by phone, or in person at the American Gothic House Center. Bids by phone and in person on the last day of bidding would be much appreciated, as bids will most likely be coming in quickly that day! Information about the auction can be found at this link:
http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/events/auction.html
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Lecture Series tonight and AGHC tidbits from the web
Just a reminder that UNI Professor Roy Behrens will be presenting “Looking Closer at Grant Wood: What Did He Do, and How Did He Do It?” tonight at 7:00pm at the Eldon Library Hall. His lecture will discuss Grant Wood’s life, how he was trained, what he achieved, and how he was influenced as well as who he, in turn, influenced. His talk will include rare photographs of Wood, his students, and his contemporaries, accompanied by eyewitness stories about his creative process, his methods, his failings, his sense of humor, and the growth of his basic beliefs about art.
A few new videos about the American Gothic House and the Center have popped up on the web lately. One family who visited recently created a video of their visit, which features one of our volunteers, Allen! Allen does a great job in the video explaining the history of the house and painting, so be sure to check it out!
Also, Kohler just posted a news release and video showing the improvements made to the kitchen from their donation of a new sink and faucet. The video features Beth Howard, the American Gothic House pie baker, and operator of the Pitchfork Pie Stand. It is definitely a great video as well!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Holidays are quickly approaching!
As the first snow touched down yesterday at the American Gothic House Center, I finally accepted that winter is indeed just around the corner. But the one good thing is that this means it is almost time for the Holidays to kick in!
The American Gothic House Center will again present its annual Gingerbread House Display. Everyone is welcome to submit a gingerbread house to be displayed at the Center from December 1-December 14. Submissions should be brought to the Center by 5:00 pm on November 30th. I’ve already begun brainstorming my design!
On Saturday, December 3rd we will host the Gingerbread House Activity from 1:00-4:00pm. Stop by the Center and make your own gingerbread house made out of graham crackers, frosting and candy! We will have treats for everyone who stops by and you will have a chance to see the submitted gingerbread houses on display.
There will be many other activities going on in Eldon that weekend! There will be a “Tour of Homes” on Saturday with tours running from 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm. Featured homes will be decked out in Christmas finery and open to the public. Tickets are $5.00 and will be available at the Opera House that day.
The Eldon Depot will be having their Christmas Celebration December 2nd and 3rd. They will be open on the 2nd from 12:00-5:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am-9:00pm. Bring the kids as they will be running the trains during open hours and plan to run the big train around on the flat to see Christmas lights after dark!
These are just a few of the events being held the first weekend in December. Please contact Eldon City Hall at 641-652-7510.
Here is a complete list of upcoming programs and closings at the American Gothic House Center:
November 11th: Center is closed in observance of Veterans Day
November 17th: Professor Roy Behrens presents “Looking Closer at Grant Wood: What Did He Do, and How Did He Do it? 7:00 pm at Eldon Library Hall
November 24th and 25th: Center is closed for Thanksgiving
November 30th: Gingerbread houses for display due at the Center by 5:00 pm
December 1-14: Gingerbread House Display
December 3: Gingerbread House Activity at the American Gothic House Center from 1:00pm-4:00pm
December 24-25: Closed for Christmas
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
How far would you travel to see the American Gothic House?
Today started quite dreary in Eldon as the cold rain blew around outside my window at the American Gothic House Center. I thought to myself “Who would want to be out in this weather?”, but not too long after we opened for the day a car pulled up and a woman hurried inside from the blustery drizzle. Her name was Christy and she was from New Jersey (and worked in New York City). Now, of course we have visitors from all over the United States (and the world for that matter), but many of them come here as a stop during a road trip, or as a day trip from somewhere not too far away. Christy had no reason to come to Iowa except to fulfill her dream of seeing the American Gothic House.
She had business in Minnesota and thought that perhaps that is the closest she would ever be to the American Gothic House. She thought this might be her only chance so she made a plan to fly out of Des Moines instead of Minneapolis and got in her rental car and made the 8 hour trek to Eldon to carry out her plan. Christy is an art historian who specializes in historic architecture…which probably explains why she was so drawn to see the house!
The weather cleared up to take a few pictures in front of the house before she had to head down the road to make her flight out of Des Moines. Christy was so elated to visit that it definitely turned this gloomy day around!
In other news, UNI Professor Roy Behrens will be presenting “Looking Closer at Grant Wood: What Did He Do, and How Did He Do It?” on Thursday, November 17 at 7:00 pm at the Eldon Library Hall. The attention given to Wood’s most famous painting, American Gothic, often prevents us from focusing on his other accomplishments. How was he trained? What influenced him? Who in turn did he influence? What did he achieve in his life? This talk will include rare photographs of Wood, his students, and his contemporaries, accompanied by eyewitness stories about his creative process, his methods, his failings, his sense of humor, and the growth of his basic beliefs about art.
Funding for this presentation is provided by Humanities Iowa, a private, non-profit state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. A cultural resource for Iowans since 1971, Humanities Iowa offers many cultural and historical programs and grants to Iowa’s communities.
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A Poetry Treat!
Writer David K. Leff recently sent me a poem he wrote after visiting the American Gothic House a few years ago:
Believing is Seeing (a poem about America's most recognized painting)Posed with a pitchfork
before a board-and-batten, steep gabled cottage
with a pointed window, the American Gothic
couple gazes from the canvass in eternal taciturnity.
In the hushed, polished halls of downtown
Chicago hangs this two-faced symbol
of gritty, rural resourcefulness
and small-town rigidity.
I stand among millions who’ve stared back, unsure
what I’m seeing, caught between a kitsch joke
and a culture hungry for something deep, enduring
and blessed by high art.
A little battered and alligatored with old
paint, the structure still sits as Grant Wood
sketched it in a whimsical stop-the-car
moment. Having already been there without traveling,
I walked around amazed at its sudden
three-dimensionality, the sky as pale and luminous
as the painter’s pigment. I conjured
the grim-faced iconic couple out front, knowing
they never lived there, weren’t paired
or even painted together. But the artist’s sister and dentist
were destined to stand just beyond the porch,
married forever in a sacred, fractured authenticity
Not so much a painting as a mirror, this American
Sphinx is Old Glory and Miss Liberty,
has marketed greeting cards and television shows,
sold cereal and promoted politicians.
Patriotic fairytale more real than an Eldon, Iowa
house or two people who sat for their portraits,
it tells us stories we are starved to hear
because what we believe is what we see.
Thank you to David for sharing his lovely poem! You can read this poem, and other samples of his work, at his website: www.davidkleff.com
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Homecoming Parade and Halloween is just around the corner!
Fall is in full swing in this neck of the woods, and the Center has still been keeping very busy with visitors, especially bus tours! So many visitors have been through on their quest to find fall colors that I have kept the fall color report up on my computer every day!
With it being a bustling time at the Center, I almost forgot to share our recent homecoming experience! As part of the Cardinal High School homecoming festivities, AGHC had an entry in the Homecoming Parade. We decorated a truck with Cardinal colors and placed our gothic house cutout in the back. Our two high school participants showed their Cardinal Comet pride while sitting in front of our gothic house backdrop. Check out these photos from our entry!
Don’t forget about the upcoming Gothic Halloween Party! The event will run from 2-3 pm Saturday, October 29th. The event is open to children preschool through fifth grade (parents are encouraged to attend with small their small children). Activities will include a pumpkin-pitchfork relay, make your own stained-glass candy corn and decorate spooky cookies. A mad scientist will even be at the event with exciting experiments! The Pitchfork Pie Stand will also be open that day for “Pumpkin Pie Palooza” from Noon-4pm!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Homecoming Parade and Halloween is just around the corner!
Fall is in full swing in this neck of the woods, and the Center has still been keeping very busy with visitors, especially bus tours! So many visitors have been through on their quest to find fall colors that I have kept the fall color report up on my computer every day!
With it being a bustling time at the Center, I almost forgot to share our recent Homecoming experience! As part of the Cardinal High School homecoming festivities, AGHC had an entry in the Homecoming Parade. We decorated a truck with Cardinal colors and placed our gothic house cutout in the back. Our two high school participants showed their Cardinal Comet pride while sitting in front of our gothic house backdrop. Check out these photos from our entry!
Don’t forget about the upcoming Gothic Halloween Party! The event will run from 2-3 pm Saturday, October 29th. The event is open to children preschool through fifth grade (parents are encouraged to attend with small their small children). Activities will include a pumpkin-pitchfork relay, make your own stained-glass candy corn and decorate spooky cookies. A mad scientist will even be at the event with exciting experiments! The Pitchfork Pie Stand will also be open that day for “Pumpkin Pie Palooza” from Noon-4pm!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Jerry Ranch Photo Auction and a Thank You to our Volunteers
The work is hung in a simple black frame and measures 31 inches x 38 inches. All proceeds from the auction will go towards matching funds for our Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant. Bids can be made in person at the Center, over the phone, by email, or on our website. For more information on the auction please visit the auction page on our website: http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/events/auction.html
Also, last Saturday, the American Gothic House Center hosted its annual Volunteer Potluck. We had excellent weather and everyone had an enjoyable time! As not everyone could attend, I would like to take this time to thank all of the volunteers at the Center for their hard work and dedication. The Center could not operate without you, and I greatly appreciate your continued efforts. Furthermore, I would like to thank all of the volunteers for helping me become settled into my new position over the last few months. I hope to continue to build lasting friendships with everyone through our work together at the Center.
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, September 15, 2011
American (disc) Golfic and a new AGHC Fundraiser!
The city of Eldon has a new great attraction to offer! A nine-hole disc golf course has been installed. The Chippewa Creek Disc Golf Course begins next to the American Gothic House Center and goes along the trail behind the center. You can even purchase discs in the American Gothic House Center gift shop that feature the gothic window from the house (pictured to the right)!
The course is open at all times, and there is no cost to use the course.
The grand opening of the course will be held on Saturday, September 24 at 2:00 pm (but it is open for use now). At that time there will be demonstrations for those interested in learning how to play disc golf and try out the course. Supper in the Park will be held from 5-7 pm in Eldon City Park with proceeds to go towards the new disc golf course. Come out for some grilled burgers, brats, and hotdogs. There will also be many great giveaways and a drawing where you can win one of two disc golf bags being raffled. For more information contact Eldon City Hall at 641-652-7510.
Also, The American Gothic House Center is participating in Community Days to raise funds for our Iowa Cultural Heritage Trust Endowment Challenge Grant! For a $5 donation you receive a coupon book to use at Herberger's (as well as their other affiliated stores including Younkers and Bergner's) on November 11-12. 100% of the sales benefit AGHC! To purchase a booklet stop by or contact us! More information on the Community Days, and to see a listing of all of the coupons in the booklet please visit the Community Days website: http://communitydayevent.com/
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Labor Day Weekend at AGHC
The American Gothic House Center will be open regular hours Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-4pm. The center will also be open on Labor Day from 1-4 pm!
Also, this weekend is the last weekend that the Pitchfork Pie Stand will be open for the season! The stand will be open 12-5 pm on Saturday and Sunday, but not open on Labor Day. Beth will have the stand open for “Pumpkin Pie Palooza” October 29th to coincide with the Halloween party at the American Gothic House Center!
Also, this weekend is Walk on Art Street in Ottumwa! There will be 65 artists selling their works, entertainment on the Central Park Stage, and children’s activities. The event runs from 10am-4pm on 3rd Street by Central Park. The American Gothic House Center will be there at a booth with the Ottumwa Area Arts Council, so stop by and see us! We will have the American Gothic face cut-out for photo ops as well!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
John Sharp and the CCC
John Sharp was the native Eldon artist who so fortunately gave Grant Wood a tour of the town during his visit in 1930. Without John Sharp giving Grant Wood that tour one day after lunch he may have never seen this small white frame house with the beautiful gothic window. As John Sharp served such a simple, but very integral role in Grant Wood painting American Gothic, I thought I would share some current research on John Sharp’s life and art.
I recently met Kathleen Duxbury, who is studying artists involved in the CCC. What is the CCC you might ask? The CCC stands for the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program put forth by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of his New Deal programs. The CCC was established to help create jobs that would put young men to work in conserving the United States’ natural resources. You can learn more about the CCC program by visiting Kathleen’s website at this link: http://newdealblog.com/about-2/who-and-what-was-the-ccc-2
So how exactly does an artist fit into a group aimed at conservation? The government had created an art program called the Public Works of Art Program, which hired artists and sent some to depict life at CCC camps. John Sharp happened to be one of the artists hired to travel to CCC camps to draw and paint life in the camps. Several of his works now reside at the Eldon Carnegie Public Library, and two of his works are currently on display at the American Gothic House Center.
You can read more about John Sharp and his work in the CCC (as well as Kathleen’s account of her visit to Eldon!) on here blog at this link: http://newdealblog.com/archives/1336
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
AGHC on the Road and Antique Cars
Saturday the American Gothic House Center made the trek to West Branch, Iowa to have a booth at Hoover’s Hometown Days. Though a bit warm, the weather was much better than it had been, which made for a great turnout at the festival!
My volunteer Ashlee, and myself, spoke to nearly 400 festival goers, most of who had not been to visit the American Gothic House Center. Visitors to the booth could get their picture taken in the face cutout and we also passed out flyers and coloring sheets to those who stopped by. We also had a board with pictures of people who have had their picture taken in front of the house so future visitors could get ideas for their visits! A “coloring station” was also set up where young visitors could stop and take a break to do some coloring!
Tomorrow the Cedar Rapids Antique Car Club will be touring the American Gothic House Center. Cars should begin arriving around 9:30 am, so be sure to stop by and visit the center and see some cool cars at the same time!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
AGHC goes funky
Last week the Ottumwa Chamber of Commerce hosted their 70th Annual Golf Classic. The American Gothic House Center was fortunate enough to share a booth at hole 13 with the Ottumwa Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Representatives from AGHC and the Ottumwa CVB braved the heat to meet with golfers as they stopped by the booth before teeing off. Since the golf outing was 70s-themed, the normal American Gothic fare came with some funky twists.
As golfers stopped by they were welcome to have their picture taken in the American Gothic face cut-out, which was decked out in 70s flare. Check out these pictures of some of the golfers.
Representatives at the booth wore overalls with tie-dye shirts, and the usual apron was adorned with some flashy chains and hair bands. Those who stopped by could learn more about the American Gothic House Center and events in the Ottumwa Area. The Ottumwa CVB created a list of 70 things to see and do in Wapello County. If you would like to have a list stop by the American Gothic House Center and pick one up!
In other news, KHQA Channel 7 in Quincy, Illinois recently did a story about the American Gothic House Center as part of their Points of Interest series! You can view the piece at the link below:
http://www.connecttristates.com/news/story.aspx?id=644280
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
American Gothic House in 3-D!
AGHC received an email from Paul Anater of St. Petersburg, Florida about a three-dimensional model he created of the house for use in a presentation on kitchen cabinets. He sent the following email about his work:
“I was hired by Kraftmaid Cabinetry to deliver a presentation about using new software in my process as a designer. I had 25 minutes to fill and rather than bore people to death I wanted to tell a story about how I integrate new software into art. Because I'm a designer and my audience was also designers, I decided to recreate a 3-D model of the American Gothic house, position the finished model on the lot where the house actually sits using Google Earth and then I would draw a modern interior design of the house.
I detailed the specifics of my idea and my presentation on my blog here: http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2010/04/american-gothic-explained-and-renovated.html
Google has since added my model to Google Earth and my replica of the house is the only three dimensional building in Eldon: http://www.kitchenandresidentialdesign.com/2010/05/american-gothic-house-is-now-on-google.html
So now with the help of Google Earth, the American Gothic house has a new life in the internet.”
Thank you to Paul for sharing his exciting work! The model is now available to view on the American Gothic House Center website on the Photo Gallery page. You can find it at this link: http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/gallery/index.htm
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Conservation of Grant Wood's Spring Turning
One of the things I enjoy most about meeting all of the visitors to the American Gothic House Center is what I can learn from them! Many people who visit come with great tidbits of information about a variety of topics pertaining to the house, American Gothic, or Grant Wood.
Last week a visitor told some of the volunteers about a presentation she had seen about the conservation of Grant Wood’s Spring Turning. The work is part of the collection at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This week the visitor sent us a fantastic video created by the Reynolda House Museum about the conservation of the painting. The video also has great information on Grant Wood’s painting techniques and how these techniques affected the conservation of the work.
The video can be found at this link:
http://www.reynoldahouse.org/discover/collections/care.php
It is so wonderful to know that such great care is being taken to protect Grant Wood’s work!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Free from flooding and a new parody!
Over the last week, the American Gothic House Center has received several inquiries about how the current flooding in Iowa may affect their travels to the center and through Iowa. For those not from the Iowa area who are interested in visiting I thought I would use today’s blog to provide some information to plan for your visit!
Most of the flooding currently in Iowa is very far away from your travels to AGHC! However, there are some routes into Iowa that are being affected by the flooding, including I-29, I-680, IA-2, and IA-333. But there are still many ways to come through Iowa so I hope the flooding doesn’t discourage anyone from visiting! If you would like to check for road closures (including closures due to construction) visit the Iowa Department of Transportation Traveler Information site here:
Also, always feel free to call or email AGHC if you have questions before your visit!
Now, for a little bit of fun! Since I began my position at AGHC a few weeks ago, many friends and family members have been sending me American Gothic parody images they come across. Today I received one from a friend that just came out on the new cover of Entertainment Weekly, so I thought I’d share it.
It never ceases to amaze me how one picture can be referenced in so many ways!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, June 16, 2011
American Gothic Days recap
The weather made for an absolutely perfect weekend for Eldon’s American Gothic Days!
The weekend festivities began with a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday morning. With the beautiful weather came a large crowd of runners and walkers!
Saturday's attendance at AGHC was incredible! We had nearly 300 visitors to the center throughout the day. Many who stopped by were in town to attend the Eldon Alumni banquet so the chatter in the Center definitely resembled a class reunion. I met so many local area people I hadn't had the pleasure to meet yet during my first month, as well as people who grew up in the area and were visiting for American Gothic Days.
The Bike Ride started out the day on Sunday. Again, due to beautiful weather we had a great turnout! Everyone reported their 17 to 20 mile ride was enjoyable. Pizza, muffins and good conversation were shared after the ride.
The nearly 100 entries to our Art Contest were displayed during the weekend for visitors to see. Many visitors were amazed at the talent shown and enjoyed seeing all the artwork. Many of the works are still available for viewing at AGHC, so if you missed out stop by and see the many talented artists!
My first American Gothic Days weekend was very rewarding and I would like to thank all the volunteers, artists, runners/walkers, bike riders and visitors who made it possible. I'm already looking forward to next year!
For photos from the weekend visit our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Gothic-House/80025816448
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, June 9, 2011
American Gothic Days have arrived!
Tomorrow kicks off American Gothic Days in Eldon. My office is filled to the brim with supplies for all of the events this weekend! Yesterday was the deadline for submission into the Art Contest sponsored by the Gothic Area Tourism of Eldon (G.A.T.E.). We received nearly 100 entries from kindergarten students to adults!
I’ve enjoyed looking through all of the entries as they arrived. I’ve even recognized a few as they were drawn by students from Cardinal Elementary when they were here on their tours a few weeks ago. The judges for the Art Contest will be at AGHC this afternoon and evening reviewing the entires.
The works will be on display at the American Gothic House Center during our regular weekend hours (Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 1-4) so be sure to stop by and see them. I’m glad I’m not a judge…I think I would have a difficult time determining the winners!
Also, there is still time to register for the 5K Run/Walk on Saturday and Bike Ride on Sunday. You can register beforehand at AGHC or register on-site before each event.
Follow these links for more information:
http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/events/5ksignup.htm
http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/events/bike.htm
And don’t forget to check out all of the great events happening in Eldon as part of American Gothic Days! A full line-up can be found here:
http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/events/gothicdays2011.html
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Love is in the Air at AGHC
The American Gothic House Center was bustling over Memorial Day Weekend with hundreds of visitors stopping by. On Monday, however, there were two special visitors…there was a proposal at our very own Gothic House! Samantha, the bride-to-be, sent a wonderful email the day after the proposal detailing the story:
Our first date/motorcycle ride had included a trip to the American Gothic House. Adam was amazed I had never been there (I'm certified to teach art) and thought it would be great to take me. Unfortunately on our first visit the AGHC was closed. I made the comment we would have to come back sometime because I really wanted to go inside.
On Monday, May 30, 2011, we decided the weather was too nice not to take another motorcycle ride. He wouldn't tell me where we were going, although it soon became very obvious we were coming back to the American Gothic House. We walked through the AGHC and watched another group dress up for pictures. I noticed a sign for pie, so we wandered toward the house to see what was available. Beth Howard had just pulled a mini strawberry pie from the oven at her Pitchfork Pie Stand. We thought it sounded too good to pass up and shared the mini pie out in front of the house at the picnic tables.
When we finished Adam told me he was going to find a garbage can, but I now know he was going to inform the volunteers of what he was planning to do. He said we needed to go in through the front and that we should dress up for a picture. I of course said sure.
The volunteers helped us find the perfect fit and helped us practice our pose. Then they took us outside and we posed for our pictures and got it just right. Then she asked if we wanted to do a silly picture. Before I could respond, Adam said "Yes, I have something silly I want to do," as he handed me the pitchfork and got down on one knee. He pulled out the ring and asked me to marry him right where we stood on our first date. Of course I said YES and kissed him right then and there. I didn't realize but the volunteers all knew and had a group watching and cheering for us and they took pictures for us to remember our special day.
I really do appreciate all that your volunteers did to help out with our special day. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like to know! I am sure we will be back for our engagement pictures! We have set the date as October 20, 2012.
Thank you,
Samantha and Adam
Congratulations to Samantha and Adam from the American Gothic House Center!
Holly Berg
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic
300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com
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