Talk:American Gothic House

Further development using NRHP info
I noticed this listed as a GA at wp:NRHP. It's an important place and the article does seem very good. Among other things I like how the second photo is used to show how small in fact the house is, and I like how it is described that the property was in some danger and then there were high hopes for it being used to attract tourists, and so on. For further development, I notice that the NRHP application document has not been obtained and used in developing the article. The NRHP listing was apparently approved in 1974, so the application would have been written in 1973 or 1974. It is mentioned in the article that the house was in an uncertain state at that time and the application was made by a farmer. I am not clear if that means it was made by a different person than the owner or not. An application could have been prepared by someone else, but the NRHP program will not list a property over the owner's objection. If an application is prepared by a non-professional, there often is editorial involvement by professional historians, so the finally approved application could be the result of several parties. NRHP applications are also required to include photos documenting the condition of a place. Shortly after, in 1976, there were renovations. I surmise that the NRHP application document and its accompanying photos would be helpful in describing the state of the property at that time. Also, NRHP documents are usually well-written, reliable sources, with bibliographies leading to other sources. All this is to say I suggest obtaining and using the NRHP application documents, in further developing this article. The NRHP documents including photos are available for free, upon request to the National Register (email to nr_reference (at) nps.gov ). They may also possibly be available through the state's historic preservation office. Again, nice job with the article! doncram (talk) 23:37, 9 September 2009 (UTC)


 * Thanks for the suggestions! I've emailed a request and it should be on its way soon. --McMillin24 contribstalk 22:10, 11 September 2009 (UTC)

urban legend
there is a long-lived urban legend that the house in American Gothic was a brothel. I remember reading so (in L M Boyd's trivia column, IIRC) forty+ years ago and saw it again recently--in fact, that's why I looked up the wikipedia American Gothic article just now and was referred to this page. It would be interesting to learn the origins of this story, and to have some reference to it on this page--if anyone thinks it worthy of inclusion. I do, but if I'm the only person ever to have heard this story.... 165.91.65.27 (talk) 00:03, 8 May 2012 (UTC)RKH
 * I found a reference to this in The People's Almanac, p. 1020, and --  Auric    talk  22:46, 21 July 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
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