Can You Visit Ed Gein’s House Today?

No. The farmhouse where Ed Gein lived was destroyed by fire in 1958, shortly after his arrest. Nothing remains of the structure today.

The land where the house once stood has been privately owned since 1958. It has changed hands a couple times, but remains private property. There is no marker, no official access point, and no public tour. You can view the land from the road, but stepping foot on it is trespassing.

For travelers, this is the most important expectation to set early. There is no preserved crime scene or accessible house.

Where Was Ed Gein’s House Located?

The former Gein property where the farmhouse was located sits a few miles west of Plainfield in rural Waushara County, on the southwest corner of Archer and 2nd Ave. There is no house there today, or any buildings remaining from the Gein farm. All the outbuildings were razed in the early 1960s, during which workers found additional human remains that had not been previously discovered.

Where Was Ed Gein Buried?

Gein is buried in Plainfield Cemetery with his family, where he was laid to rest after his death in 1984. His grave is the unmarked space between his brother Henry and his mother Augusta.

Gein’s gravestone was stolen by a touring band passing through in 2000, and recovered in Seattle the following year. The decision was made not to return the gravestone to Gein’s grave as it would probably just get stolen again. It is said to have been buried with Gein and covered in concrete soon after its return to Plainfield.

Is There an Ed Gein Museum?

There is no museum, but the Waushara County Historical Museum in Wautoma, WI serves as the unofficial Ed Gein Museum. It is housed in the original county jail building where Gein was held after his arrest. Upon request, visitors can see Gein’s jail cell with a few of his personal belongings and a small collection of Gein memorabilia.

The museum is run by volunteers and depends on monetary donations to operate, so be sure to leave what you can to help preserve history.