Anamosa was originally settled in 1838 as Buffalo Forks, the name was changed to Anamosa in 1877. Anamosa was named the Pumpkin Capital of Iowa by the legislature in 1993. The town is home to several historical landmarks such as Anamosa State Penitentiary, National Motorcycle Museum as well as Grant Wood Art Gallery.
The Anamosa State Penitentiary is currently Iowa's largest correctional institution with over 1200 inmates. It has been in operation since 1873. The Penitentiary museum, opened in 2001, is located outside the Anamosa Penitentiary walls, but on the prison grounds. Prison life is highlighted through photographs, a replica cell, and a prison history video.
Hours:
May 28 to September 6: 12pm-4pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Grant Wood is known for his work titled American Gothic. The Grant Wood Gallery in Anamosa is housed in an old bank building constructed in 1884. The collection includes historical photos of Grant Wood and his artist colony, books, prints, posters and notecards as well as a short film on his life and art.
The National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa was founded in 1989. It features a collection of vintage motorcycles, photographs, posters, postcards and pieces of motorcycle memorabilia.
Address: National Motorcycle Museum, 102 Chamber Drive, Anamosa, IA 52205, United States
Phone: 1 (319) 462-3925, Fax: 1 (319) 462-3982
Hours:
April 1 to October 31: 9am-5pm; Sun:10am-4pm
November 1 to March 31: 9am-5pm; Sun:11am-4pm; Sat:10am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
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