Iowa
artist Patrick Acton has glued over 3 million ordinary wooden matchsticks
into more than 60 incredibly detailed scale models of life-like sculptures,
complex machines, and world renown architecture. Acton has used
the tiny 2 inch long sticks to build huge models like his 13-foot
long true-to-scale model of the battleship USS Iowa, and
a 12-foot lighted model of the United States capitol. The Matchstick
Marvels display has drawn visitors from all over the United States
and dozens of foreign countries.
Matchstick Marvels have been seen on ABC's Extreme Makeover, Home
Edition, Home and Garden TV, Public Television, Ripley's Believe
It or Not, and High Definition TV . Additionally, Matchstick
Marvels have been featured in magazines such as Highlights for
Children, Reminisce, AAA Travel, Wood, The Iowan, Country America
, Farm Bureau, and Workbench.
For
the past thirty years Acton has used matchsticks by the tens of thousands
to build these unique models that can be seen in museums around the
world. Many are featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not
museums in North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. You can
see many of Acton's most intricate creations at the Matchstick Marvels
Tourist Center, 319 2nd Street, Gladbrook, Iowa.
For
a map and more Museum Information Click
Here!
