Construction of Gothic House Center under way

BY CINDY TOOPES Courier staff writer

November 21, 2006 12:20 am

— ELDON — The building is going up “fast, fast, fast,” according to Brenda Kremer.
On Monday, Kremer said Bi-State Construction of Burlington is working dilligently on the Gothic House Visitor’s Center, which is down the hill from the Gothic House in Eldon. The small house with the gothic windows provided inspiration for artist Grant Wood’s painting, “American Gothic.”
Kremer is a member of the American Gothic committee that has labored long and hard to collect monies to build a visitors/education center near the Gothic House.
When completed, the center will be about 2,500 square feet, Kremer said.
“When I heard that number, I didn’t think it would be this big but it’s sure looking big,” she added.
The paint for the walls, tiles for the floors and bathrooms, and shingles for the roof have all been approved, according to Kremer.
“The colors are neutral — we didn’t want to take away from any of the art work on display,” she added.
The Eldon committee got a big boost from state officials last June when the state approved $250,000 for the center. The funds will go to continuing a trail from Eldon to the Gothic House, pave a parking lot and pave part of the road to the center.
The Gothic House also is receiving help from the Wapello County Foundation, which agreed to donate funds for equipment needed in the media area. The list may include a DVD player and Powerpoint and TV equipment.
“We have been viewing possible video material to show visitors. One is an animated DVD called ‘Dropping in on Grant Wood,’ done by Crystal Productions out of Illinois,” Kremer said.
The other item is a 1983 piece called “Grant Wood’s America,” a PBS production.
Kremer is hoping the Gothic Center “will be ready before” Eldon Gothic Days, the town’s annual celebration during the second weekend in June.
The center’s advisory committee, set up by a 28E agreement with Wapello County, met for the first time last Wednesday, according to Kremer.
She said the committee has “brainstormed” some more and created a “Bottle Raffle” to raise funds. Local businesses have donated merchandise and the Libertyville Bank has over 20 numbered, different-shaped bottles that people can buy a $1 chance on.
The raffle will be 1 p.m. Dec. 1 at the KD Center and is only one of several activities planned for the town’s Christmas celebration.
“We are so excited!” Kremer added.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.

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