“Pat Acton is clearly the best matchstick model maker in North America. Quality-wise and skill-wise, he’s the best in the world.” — Edward Meyer, Vice President, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Patrick Acton was born in Greene County, Iowa, and raised on his family’s farm near Rippey. After he graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1977, he moved to Gladbrook with his wife April. It was at this time that Acton began his experimentation with matchsticks. Acton is currently employed professionally as a career and employment counselor in nearby Marshalltown. Making matchstick models remains a passionate hobby.
Many models have historical significance, such as large-scale models of the USS Iowa battleship, the space shuttle Challenger, the Wright Brothers’ Flyer, and the United States Capitol, which measures 12 feet long. Other models have world significance such as the French cathedral Notre Dame of Chartres, which took 2 years and 174,000 matchsticks to construct.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not has purchased 15 of Acton’s matchstick models for their museums throughout the world, including Mexico City, Jakarta, Copenhagen, and Sidney, Australia. In the United States, they are displayed in Branson, the Wisconsin Dells, New Orleans, Key West, Jackson Hole, Gatlinburg, Atlantic City, and others.
The museum in Gladbrook is about a block from where I lived until 4th grade. The “Big Tent” for the Corn Carnival was always right in front of our house.
Hey, Joel,
We googled my husband,Pat Acton, and his matchstick model museum in Gladbrook and ran across your blog. How nice! I especially love the picture of our dog Tandi, which I took. When did you live in Gladbrook and which house? We’ve been here for 29 years and I’ve taught English at the school all this time. Since you moved after 4th grade, I probably didn’t know you, especially since you may be closer to my own age anyway! Have you ever been back to visit the museum? We’d love to hear back from you.
April Acton
It’s good to hear from you, April. I haven’t been to the museum yet – but I want to go. I’m hoping it can be while June is working. She can tell you a lot about me.
Here’s a picture of me in second grade.