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All the United States Iowa Mount Vernon American Gothic Barn

American Gothic Barn

A hidden barn-sized rendition of Grant Wood's most famous, and most parodied, painting.

Mount Vernon, Iowa

Added By
Lew Blank
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American Gothic Barn from northwest   lewblank / CC BY-SA 2.0
American Gothic Barn from northwest   lewblank / CC BY-SA 2.0
American Gothic Barn from northeast   lewblank / CC BY-SA 2.0
American Gothic Barn close up   lewblank / CC BY-SA 2.0
American Gothic Barn from roadside   lewblank / CC BY-SA 2.0
  wisemand / Atlas Obscura User
Sunny day in Iowa. 17 August 2024   Ragnar of Ballard / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Off the road on U.S. Route 30 in eastern Iowa, hidden by trees and completely unannounced, Iowa's little-known American Gothic Barn is a fully painted barn coated in color that would make Grant Wood proud.

Wood’s famous painting “American Gothic” is one of the most parodied pieces of art in modern American history. But if you don’t have time to see the real thing at the Art Institute of Chicago, you can see the next best thing in Mt Vernon, Iowa, where a barn-sized rendition of the classic work is hiding on a private farm.

The large replica of Wood’s painting covers the barn’s entire facade. The barn's sides are painted to depict a bison in a prairie and an image of the Iowan countryside that inspired Wood throughout his life.

The American Gothic Barn wasn’t actually painted by the farmer who owns the property but was created by Mark Benesh, a local middle school art teacher, who was commissioned by the barn's owner to replicate Wood’s masterpiece. And for the few who pull over to enjoy the view and snap a few pictures of the barn, Benesh's endeavor was well worth it.

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Farms Paintings Art Roadside Attractions

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On the south side of Highway 30, directly after the highway curves due east.

Community Contributors

Added By

lewblank

Edited By

dadacowgirl, slatonanthony, Ragnar of Ballard, wisemand

  • dadacowgirl
  • slatonanthony
  • Ragnar of Ballard
  • wisemand

Published

April 25, 2017

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Sources
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/34096
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Gothic
American Gothic Barn
Highway 30
Mount Vernon, Iowa
United States
41.917401, -91.489435
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Grant Wood Studio

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

miles away

Cedar Rapids Municipal Island

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

miles away

Stone City

Anamosa, Iowa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

Nearby Places

Grant Wood Studio

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

miles away

Cedar Rapids Municipal Island

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

miles away

Stone City

Anamosa, Iowa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Iowa

Iowa

United States

Places 74
Stories 10

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