Explore Grant Wood Country in Anamosa, Iowa

Eastern Iowans looking for a scenic daytrip can get their fill with the rolling hills and wooded areas in Jones County located in Eastern Iowa. The rural setting and picturesque hills provided the inspiration behind many of the paintings created by Grant Wood.

One of the first American Regionalists painters, Grant Wood paintings uniquely captured the American Midwest countryside particularly in Stone City, Iowa or Young Corn.

Anamosa, Iowa - Home of Grant Wood

Grant Wood was born in Anamosa, Iowa in 1891 and lived in Iowa for much of his life. Visitors to Anamosa can get a first hand work at much of Grant Wood's artwork by exploring the Grant Wood Art Museum located on Main Street in Anamosa. Staffed by volunteers and free admission this museum provides a glimpse of many of Grant Wood works as well as videos that visitors can view. The museum is open daily from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A visit to the Riverside Cemetery in Anamosa reveals the final resting place of Grant Wood.

Anamosa also has several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Anamosa Public Library, Shaw House and the Iowa Men's Reformatory Historic District. Anamosa also has a National Motorcycle Museum featuring over 60 vintage and antique motorcycles along with other motorcycle memorabilia.

Stone City, Iowa

Another Eastern Iowa treasure is Stone City. Located in Jones County and just outside of Anamosa, Stone City is home to the Stone City Colony and Art School. The school and colony where created by Grant Wood in the summers of 1932 and 1993 and held in a limestone mansion on the site. As a celebration to the mark Grant Wood left on Eastern Iowa, Stone City hosts the annual Grant Wood Arts Festival on the second Sunday of June.

The classic stone buildings in the historic town of Stone City provide a glimpse of a previous era. Tours are available from Jones County Tourism who hosts a Stone City tour for visitors. The tour provides an in-depth look at the Dolomite Limestone quarried from the Stone City Quarry, St. Joseph's Church, the Water Tower, Ice House and several other buildings in the area.

Grant Wood Studio - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Just a short trip from Anamosa, the Grant Wood Studio in Cedar Rapids is where Grant Wood painted several of his works, including the American Gothic. The Grant Wood Studio is operated by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art which houses works by Grant Wood.

Sources:

www.grantwoodartgallery.org

www.thestonecityfoundation.org

www.jonescountytourism.com