Fun Fact: When Patrick began building with matchsticks in 1977, the sticks measured 1/8″ x 1/8″ x 2″ in length. By the end of the 1980’s the matchsticks being produced measured 1/9″ x 1/9″ x 2 1/4″ in length.
Location: Gladbrook City Centre Building Mailing Address: P. O. Box 309
319 Second Street Gladbrook, IA 50635
Gladbrook, IA 50635
Phone Number: 641-473-2410
Website: www.matchstickmarvels.com
Email: matchstickstheater@gladbrook.org
Contact: Audra Siddell, Manager
Hours: April 1 thru November 30, 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. 7 days a week, closed Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving Day.
Buses and smaller group tours welcome year-round any time by appointment.
Admission Cost: Adults $5.00; ages 5-12 $3.00; under 5 free with an adult. Two complimentary admissions for an escort and a bus driver are provided with a group tour. No credit cards are accepted, so payment needs to be by check or cash. Checks can be made out to Matchstick Marvels.
Description: Artist Patrick Acton has created dozens of models and sculptures made exclusively of ordinary wooden matchsticks. Using nearly 10 million matchsticks and hundreds of gallons of glue, he has created 80 highly detailed and painstakingly scaled models. Many models have historical significance, such as the Iowa governor’s mansion, Terrace Hill, and a thirteen-foot scaled model of the USS Iowa battleship, a huge model of the United States Capitol, and the Apollo 11 exhibit with its Saturn V rocket and lunar lander Eagle, along with many other creations on display here at Matchstick Marvels. Ripley’s Believe It or Not has purchased dozens of Acton’s matchstick models for placement in their museums throughout the world. Come and experience what former Vice President of Exhibits for Ripley’s Believe It or Not called, “The best matchstick art in the world!” and hear the story that began it all!
Accessibility: Our building has handicap-accessible entryways, large restrooms, and an elevator for your convenience. Bus parking is available in front or along the side of our building.
Dining: Opposite Matchstick Marvels, Hometown Foods is available for snacks, deli sandwiches, ice cream, and noon-time lunch specials. Additionally, based on your group size and needs, Hometown Foods may cater meals to our building. Their contact number is 641-473-3222. For early groups, we can arrange to have fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee ready for you.
For things to do while you are visiting check In the Area page.
Fun Fact: Patrick has used over 300 gallons of wood glue making his matchstick models, and nearly every drop of glue has been applied through small school-sized glue bottles that he refills. The constant squeezing of the bottle and dragging their pointed plastic applicator tips along the wooden sticks wears them out quickly. As a result, Patrick buys a case of Elmer’s school glue every fall just to use the plastic bottles with their applicator tips.
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Matchstick Marvels, 319 2nd Street, Gladbrook, IA
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