American Gothic House Center is ready for the holidays!

The snow from last week has melted, but holiday excitement is still in the air. This weekend is filled with holiday events for “Christmas in Eldon.” Saturday, December 5 hosts a day jam-packed with activities, including the Christmas Tree Wanderland at the McHaffey Opera House, the Rock Island Depot, Christmas Dinner, a visit from Santa, Boy Scout Soup Supper, and Gingerbread House Decorating at the American Gothic House Center.

Bring the kids by the Center on Saturday, between 12-4 pm to decorate their very own graham cracker “Gingerbread” House. Graham crackers, candy decorations and gooey frosting will be provided (while supplies last) for participants to make their sugary creations.

While shopping this holiday season please be sure to keep the American Gothic House Center gift shop in mind! The shop has many unique gifts for all ages—coloring books, candles, and calendars just to name a few. Plus, proceeds from gift shop sales support the Center’s educational programming and operations. A selection of gift shop items can also be found online at www.AmericanGothicHouse.net.

Quilt workshops and more coming up at AGHC

Summer might be winding down, but excitement is growing for the many great upcoming events at the American Gothic House Center!

To accompany the “American Gothic in Stitches” exhibit, the Center is hosting a pair of workshops in the fabric arts. The classes will be lead by AGHC volunteer Teresa Chickering and participants will create their own “Gothic Window” wall hanging. The children’s workshop will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 1 p.m. The class is open to children ages 9 and above and has a supply fee of $10.00.

The “grown up” quilting workshop will take place on Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. The class has a supply fee of $15.00. Participants are asked to bring their own sewing machine as well as black and gray thread. A dual feed foot is also recommended. Both workshops require pre-registration and each class is limited to 15 participants. 

The annual American Gothic Halloween Party will be held Saturday, October 31 from 2-4 p.m. on the grounds of the American Gothic House. The event offers free admission and is open to children in Preschool through 5th grade. Attendees will have a ghoulishly great time making crafts, playing games, and eating delicious treats. Remember to come in costume and make your own spooky American Gothic parody!

A reminder the last American Gothic House tour of the season will take place Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Also, don’t miss your chance to see “American Gothic in Stitches: Quilts Inspired By the Famous Painting” before the exhibit closes October 24th!


For more information on any of the Center’s upcoming events please contact Holly Berg at 641-652-3352 or email TheAmericanGothicHouse@gmail.com.

American Gothic in Stitches

The American Gothic House Center has many great events scheduled for the coming months, but we are most excited to announce our upcoming exhibit: American Gothic in Stitches: Quilts inspired by the famous painting. The exhibition will feature nine works by skilled quilters from around the world who have created their own masterpieces influenced by the famous painting. The quilts will be on view at the American Gothic House Center from June 1-October 18 during regular hours. 

An opening reception will take place Friday, June 5 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. As a special addition for the opening, Grant Wood’s baby quilt will be on display with thanks to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Jacqueline Falco-Smith, Registrar of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, will be present during the opening to answer questions regarding the quilt.

Admission to the exhibit is free and is sponsored by APQS-American Professional Quilting Systems and the Ottumwa Area Arts Council. For information regarding the exhibit, or any other upcoming events, please call 641-652-3352, or email TheAmericanGothicHouse@gmail.com.

Upcoming events:

Tours of the American Gothic House

April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12, and October 10 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Lecture series: Joni Kinsey, Professor, School of Art and Art History “Grant Wood at the University of Iowa: Community and Controversy”

Sunday, May 3, 2:00 pm at the American Gothic House

New exhibit:  American Gothic in Stitches:  Quilts inspired by the famous painting

Exhibit open June 1-October 18

“American Gothic in Stitches” Exhibit Opening

Friday, June 5, 4:30-6:30 pm

American Gothic 5K Walk/Run

Saturday, June 13, 7:30 am (Registration begins at 6:45 am)

American Gothic House Art Contest

Saturday and Sunday, June 13-14; Submissions due with entry forms by 5 pm on Tuesday, June 9

American Gothic House Quilt/Fabric Art Challenge

On display July 1-October 18; Entries due by June 26

Grant Wood always liked a good party

          It is almost time again for our Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord! Every now and then someone asks if I think Grant Wood would like us having a party in his name. I always respond that I think so…Grant Wood always liked a good party.

          In My Brother, Grant Wood, Nan Wood Graham shares several stories about the enjoyment Wood had from gatherings of friends. She writes, “Grant constantly threw parties on the spur of the moment. He would come home with a load of steaks and buns and Brie and say, ‘Mom, a gang is coming. Put the coffee pot on.’ The conversation always was lively—about what everyone was doing and the latest plays they’d seen. I never knew of any of Grant’s parties to be a failure.”

          We’ll be sure to have the coffee pot on at our celebration Saturday, February 7 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the KD Center in Eldon. You can enjoy an amazing array of soups, homemade bread, and birthday desserts, made by our wonderful volunteers (who are also great cooks!). Door prizes will be awarded throughout the event. Free-will donations will support educational programs at the American Gothic House Center. Come celebrate what would be Grant Wood’s 124th birthday, have a wonderful meal, and support a great cause at the same time.