Thursday, December 22, 2011

Holiday hours and American Gothic House on NPR

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 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!