I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community of Eldon and Wapello County for their support of our new American Gothic House Center. We had a successful grand opening Saturday, June 9, with about 300-350 visitors the day of the opening and another 350 since.

The enthusiasm for the facility and exhibit has been great. The committee responsible for raising the funds and grants for the building, the volunteers who signed up to help operate the gift shop, give tours and clean the facility, and the many visitors who have already stopped by show that there is a strong passion for Grant Wood and his American Gothic.

Visitors enjoy putting together the magnetic puzzles in the exhibit hall, putting on American Gothic costumes to take their own picture in front of the original house and watching the animated film “Dropping in on Grant Wood.”

A big thanks goes out to the contractors who worked so hard to have a parking lot, road and sidewalk done in time, the individuals who helped bake cookies for our opening reception, the many volunteers who raised the necessary funds to pay for this project (and continue to do so as new needs are discovered) and everyone who gave what they could — whether it was time, talent or money.

Thank you.

Jessica Strom

AGHC Administrator

AmericanGothic House Center

300 American Gothic St.

Eldon, Iowa 52554