Field Trip Fun!

It has been busy at the American Gothic House Center! Every day this week AGHC hosted young visitors from a local school. It is great to see young people so interested in the work of Grant Wood! All of the students were given a tour of the exhibits and walked around the house to learn about the architecture. The younger students colored pictures of the house and of American Gothic. The older students sketched the house on scraps of brown paper to imitate the way Grant Wood sketched the house on the back of an envelope.

Here is a photograph of some of the students doing their sketches:

Though the field trips went well, the ever-changing Spring weather of Iowa proved challenging! Whether it be the rain, too hot, or too cold each day went from one extreme to the next!

AGHC has also been busy preparing for American Gothic Days on June 10-12th. Be sure to register for the 5K and Bike Ride by Wednesday, June 1st for a discount on registration. Follow these links for more information.

5K Run/Walk

Bike Ride

Finally, as Memorial Day weekend approaches, I want to inform potential visitors that we WILL be open on Memorial Day! Two of our volunteers have offered to keep AGHC open on Memorial Day from 1pm-4pm so travelers making their way through the area on the holiday weekend can have the opportunity to visit!

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!

Week One!

My first week as Administrator at the American Gothic House Center has been fantastic. The people in Eldon and the surrounding community have been so friendly and welcoming. I was a bit worried at first about quickly moving to a new area and starting a new position, but my fears have been swept away by everyone's hospitable nature.

I have been following AGHC since before I began working here and have seen all of the great things Molly Moser, the previous Administrator, has done! I want to maintain the great momentum Molly had at AGHC and continue her work, as well as create new ways to enhance AGHC!

Though I know I will continue to have questions for Molly, the wonderful volunteer staff at the AGHC have been an immense help in orienting me in my new position. It was apparent from day one that the volunteers are an integral part of making the AGHC operate smoothly!

I have also loved meeting all of the visitors to the AGHC this week. It is so amazing to meet people from all over the country who have come just to see the American Gothic House. I even got to take a picture of a rabbit (and its owners) in front of the house. I am excited to know that every day at the AGHC will bring new faces and experiences...and probably new stories as well!

American Gothic Days June 10-12:

American Gothic Days in Eldon is quickly approaching! AGHC will be hosting an 5K Run/Walk, Bike Ride, and Art Contest. Follow these links for more information and a registration form.

5K Run/Walk

Bike Ride

Art Contest

There are also many other activities going on in Eldon during American Gothic Days so be sure to make a weekend of it! A full list of events can be found here.

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!

Introducing Our New Administrator!

This week I've been working with our incoming administrator, Holly Berg, to prepare her for all the exciting activites her new job entails. Holly has a Master's degree in Geoscience from the University of Iowa and is finishing a Master's in Museum Studies at Western Illinois University in Davenport. Holly has worked for the Museum of Natural History in Iowa City for several years, helping with public relations, education and outreach, design, and lots more. Her work experience in addition to her education makes her very well-rounded and a great fit for the position!

I feel confident in passing the role of administrator to Holly (and not just because she's a fellow Hawkeye). She has a long list of great ideas for adding educational programs and improving marketing strategies, and she recognizes the parts of the Center that already run well. I know her passion and energy will take the American Gothic House Center to new levels of success, and I am excited about the future that lies ahead with Holly as administrator!

Please don't forget about the entertaining presentation this evening! Learn more about Midwestern traditions tonight at a presentation given by UNI professor Barbara Lounsberry. Professor Lounsberry is particularly interested in Midwestern life and literature. Born and raised in Iowa, she believes Iowa culture, like its soil, is incredibly rich.

Yup…Nope…And Why Midwesterners Don’t Say Much

Thursday, May 12, 7 pm

Eldon Library Hall, 606 W. Elm St.

As one Midwesterner deadpanned on return from the East, “We think we are being polite; they think we are slow-witted.” Midwestern reserve is considered a virtue, and the strong, silent type is often honored and respected. This entertaining slide presentation explores the historical roots of Midwestern reserve along with contemporary illustrations. Funding for this presentation was 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. I hope to see you at this event! Refreshments will be provided.

I appreciate your support of the American Gothic House Center and am sure you will continue to enjoy what lies ahead. As always, thank you for reading!

Molly Moser
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!

Wildflowers, Pie and a Presentation

As the weather warms, the prairie flowers at the American Gothic House Center are growing green—and some are even blooming! If you want to see more wildflowers, you can join in the guided evening flower hike at Garrison Rock tonight at 5:30. The hike through this historic wooded area is moderate to easy, and you’ll get to stop at Horse Thief Cave! Bring your camera or binoculars if you like, and meet in the Garrison Rock parking lot off of Cliffland Road. No reservations necessary!

This year, warmer weather also means pie! Author and baker Beth Howard makes mouthwatering pies inside her home, the American Gothic House. Beth’s Pitchfork Pie Stand officially opens for the season on Friday, May 20. On summer weekends, American Gothic House Center visitors can purchase a warm cup of coffee and pie by the slice or as a whole. If you’re planning a large group visit, please call ahead to schedule a tour of the Center and to order your pie from Beth. She can be contacted through her website, www.theworldneedsmorepie.com.

Beth is currently working on a memoir to be published in April of 2012. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing since she was featured in last month’s issue of Midwest Living. The callers want to sample Beth’s baking and are intrigued by the novelty of combining two American icons—apple pie and the American Gothic House. You can read a bit about her mission to “cheer up the world, one pie at a time” online, but you’ll have to find a copy of Midwest Living to read the whole piece.

Learn more about Midwestern traditions and culture next Thursday, May 12 at a presentation given by UNI professor Barbara Lounsberry. Professor Lounsberry is particularly interested in Midwestern life and literature. Born and raised in Iowa, she believes Iowa culture, like its soil, is incredibly rich.

Yup…Nope…And Why Midwesterners Don’t Say Much

Thursday, May 12, 7 pm

Eldon Library Hall, 606 W. Elm St.

As one Midwesterner deadpanned on return from the East, “We think we are being polite; they think we are slow-witted.” Midwestern reserve is considered a virtue, and the strong, silent type is often honored and respected. This entertaining slide presentation explores the historical roots of Midwestern reserve along with contemporary illustrations. Funding for this presentation was 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. My time as administrator of the American Gothic House Center is growing short, so I hope to see you at this event next Thursday! Refreshments will be provided.

One last thing I want to mention which has been in the news lately—Grant Wood will be recognized in a new rest area being built on interstate 380, south of Cedar Rapids! The new rest area, scheduled to open in about a year, will feature a freestanding Gothic window structure in honor of American Gothic.

Thanks for reading!

Molly Moser
Administrator
American Gothic House Center
theamericangothichouse@gmail.com