A Masterpiece In The Middle Of Nowhere: You Won’t Believe This Incredible Iowa Barn!
📸 You won’t believe what’s hiding in this Iowa barn! A must-see masterpiece for art lovers and road trippers alike. 🌽 #AmericanGothicBarn #HiddenGem #IowaRoadTrip #ArtIsEverywhere
Mount Vernon, Iowa – If you’re driving down U.S. Route 30 in eastern Iowa, keep your eyes peeled for a hidden gem that’ll make you do a double-take. Nestled among the trees, completely unannounced, sits a barn that’s not just any old barn – it’s a work of art!
A Tribute to an American Classic
This barn is a giant replica of one of the most famous paintings in American history – “American Gothic” by Grant Wood. You know, the one with the stern-looking farmer and his wife? It’s been parodied more times than you can count!
Next Best Thing to the Real Deal
If a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago isn’t in the cards for you, don’t worry. This barn-sized version of the classic painting is the next best thing. And the best part? It’s right here in Iowa!
The entire front of the barn is covered in a spot-on recreation of Wood’s masterpiece. But that’s not all – the sides of the barn are painted too! On one side, you’ll see a bison roaming through a prairie, and on the other, a stunning depiction of the Iowan countryside that inspired Wood throughout his career.
A Labor of Love
Now, you might be thinking, “Did the farmer paint this himself?” Nope! The American Gothic Barn was actually created by a local middle school art teacher named Mark Benesh. The barn’s owner hired him to recreate Wood’s famous painting, and boy, did he deliver!
For the lucky few who take the time to pull over and snap a few selfies with this incredible barn, Benesh’s hard work was totally worth it. It’s a true hidden treasure in the heart of Iowa.
Pro Tips for Your Visit
If you want to see the American Gothic Barn for yourself, here’s what you need to know:
- For GPS, use: American Gothic Barn, 1278 US-30, Mount Vernon, IA 52314
- It’s on the south side of Highway 30, just after the highway curves due east.
- The barn is privately owned, so be respectful and don’t trespass.
- There’s no service area, so just park on the gravel, grab your photo, and be on your way!
- Have fun!
🗣 Did you just add the American Gothic Barn in Iowa to your travel bucket list? Have a quirky gem we should know about? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️