As many of you might be aware, the Roy Rogers Museum has moved from Victorville, California, and been reopened in Branson, Missouri. What an ideal location for a John Wayne museum! Fairly centrally located in the country, and in a clean, wholesome environment.

Does anyone have a connection with the Wayne family, to suggest such a possibility? Aside from his birthplace, is anyone aware of an actual John Wayne museum anywhere?

The Western Heritage Museum in Los Angeles has some John Wayne displays, as does a museum in Oklahoma City (name escapes me right now, but it has been described somewhere on this board), but one dedicated only to the Duke would be AWESOME!!

We could even have a message board reunion (read that "wild party") at their facility (if it existed).

So keep this idea in mind, and if you meet the right person, interject!

:rolleyes:

Chester

It seems JW items are scattered all over the place.
The one up in Griffith Park in L.A. (the one you are referring to, Chester, I guess) is the Gene Autry museum. It has among other things his gun belt. Then there's the cowboy hall of fame in Oklahoma to which JW himself donated his large collection of Indian art, his saddle, winchester, etc (wouldn't I LOVE to see that!).
One of his winchesters - probably the one used in Rio Bravo - is on display at the Warner Studios tour.
His hat from Stagecoach is at the Musee de Cinema in Paris (right at the Trocadero, slip that one into your schedule on your next trip to the city of lights).
Then there's the birthplace with a nice collection (one of the eyepatches, a suitcase from Stagecoach, but mostly letters etc.)
Of course the biggest collector of them all was Michael Wayne himself. After his dad's death, he rather frantically tried to buy everything - costumes, posters etc. - he once said in an interview they never kept anything and only after JW was gone they realized that. He was quite a hard man in that matter (so I've heard from serious collectors, anyway). Tried to get prized things from Wayne collectors because he felt they should belong to the familiy. He was always talking about the one big museum in which everybody should be able to see the memorabilia. Maybe it's going to happen now that somebody else is taking over - maybe Michael's death means that it's never going to happen.

This is a good subject to discuss. Out of all the famouse cowboys they have Museum's. It is about time that all the fan's pull together and see if we can do anything to help start A John Wayne Museum. Chester, Itdo you have my total 100% support on this one. Anything I can do.

Brian
Tulalip Wa

I agree, a John Wayne Museum would be the perfect thing. I've been to the Tom Mix museum and it wasn't too bad. Not interested in Roy Rogers though (don't like drugstore cowboys). ;)

An idea I had was, it would be nice to purchase the abandond "McLintock" ('http://www.tombstonemotels.com/johnwayne.htm')" movie set and restore it. Then put in a decent museum about Wayne.

I have read that Planet Hollywood (this info was posted in 2000) in Beverly Hill CA had gone out of business. They had the Butterfield stagecoach which John Wayne rode in "Stagecoach". The other Planet Hollywood in South Coast Plaza also went under, they had a fringed leather jacket worn by John Wayne on display. Whatever happend to these items is not known to me. Anyway, it would be nice to have in the JW museum.

I'm sure there are enough items and personal effects to be gathered to make a decent museum to commemorate John Wayne. If anyone has been to the Will Rogers museum, then you would know what I'm talking about.

Here is a link to my website that features some small museums to the Duke. John Wayne Tourist Attractions (http://www.angelfire.com/zine/timetraveler/jw_tourist.html). I'm updating it as fast as I can. B)

Hi Baron
Planet Hollywood is selling a piece at a time, at different auction houses. But beware: they were buying like wild when they opened to just have enough stuff to furnish all their locations - and they often bought without consultants, without knowing what they'd get. They just didn't care obviously if they got the pieces right. For instance they showcased Henry Fonda's life-jacket "from The Longest Day" (in which he never wore one), and IF they are lucky it's really from Battle of the Bulge.

I am really surprised that there isn't a John Wayne Museum that is dedicated to the Duke :angry:

Monique ;)

Good evening, all!

I ran the museum idea past Ermal Williamson (John Wayne look-alike/impersonator, for those of you who don't know), and I am sharing his response here, just to add a little more to the mix. In addition to his thoughts on a museum, there is also information on upcoming Duke's Hollywood Cowboys events (again, for those who don't know, Duke's Hollywood Cowboys consists of men and women involved in keeping the image of John Wayne alive, along with that of other Old West characters, in which they dress and act the part, or simply watch. Ermal is the founder and president of the group.)

Anyway, these things are for your consideration.

Chester



Hello, Chester and the rest of Duke's Hollywood Cowboys.

Roy and Dale's Museum is going great. They've had three weeks of newspaper reviews and write-ups on them with full-length page of photos.

Melinda Wayne is probably heading up the Wayne Enterprises now, but there's no museum in the near future. Luster Bayless tried to have one which he opened in Mississippi. He came back and gave everything (clothes he designed for Duke) to the WE.

It's not saying that we can't do it. What it would probably take is for someone with money to invest in it (and there are some places in Branson which would make for a museum with a little work), and secondly, it would take, as I see it, all of us GIVING most of our memorabilia to the museum. Now that's going to take some, but I do know for a fact that MOST of the John Wayne fans would part with a lot of good stuff for the sake of a museum. Mostly all of my things would go there. People all over the country (the world) have something to offer. I know of a restuarant in S. Dak. who has a pick-up of Duke's which he'd probably donate.

By the way, did I mention that we caught his house in Encino being torn down? The owner gave us the set of twin porch lamps off his house.

Get ready for Branson in Oct. 16-19th. We have 15 DHC'ers coming already. I'm planning for us to be dressed in our wardrobes (I'll already be dressed as the Duke) and anyone else can dress as the Duke, the women in gowns, Look as Look, Nikki as Dale Evans, John Wilson as the Man With No Name, and you as Duke or Arness, and the rest, and we'll go down Main Street Branson where I perform, do photo sessions at the theater and perform a 3-minute piece for the audience, tour Roy's Museum and strut down the I-Max Entertainment Center, Dixie Stampede, Silver Dollar, Shepherd of the Hills, and other places. The newspapers will have a blast printing all this. Wherever we go, we'll go as a gang and sit together. We'll have breakfast at Buck Trent's which will last 3 hours.

Spread the word and let DukeWayne group know they're invited, as well as friends and guests. Encourage them to come dressed as their favorite film star.

Now, one more thing and this is it. Next years' Birthday Party for the Duke is - ready for this - MOAB. They're getting ready for us. Duke made a few pictures there, including "Rio Bravo". They're beginning to roll out the carpet for us. And don't forget 2007 - Duke's 100th Birthday in IRELAND. Remember in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" - "Lest we forget!".

Well, that's all for now. Keep thinking and passing on the ideas. Something's happening and it's just because we all want to have fun keeping the West alive.

All our best to you always,

Ermal and Betty Williamson
Ermal Williamson - president
Duke's Hollywood Cowboys

I just took it for granted that there was a museum dedicated to John Wayne, I am completely dumbfounded to find out information to the contrary.
It is a pity also to find out that the Quiet Man cottage no longer exists and that the actual War Wagon is lieing in and MGM/universal backlot rusting away. I think these items should have been preserved a lot better and that what we have left of the Duke should be preserved for both his fans and admirers etc.

B)

I agree, Robbie. I saw the War Wagon while in Florida and while it was a thrill to be next to something that was in a Duke movie, I was depressed to see it out in the weather and and rusting away. I had my picture taken next to it, but it was night and it didn't turn out. :angry: It should be in a museum dedicated to john Wayne along with other props that might otherwise be going to waste. Let's hope that someday soon, that dream will become reality. dukefan1

I thought you all might be interested in learning that Ermal Williamson (John Wayne impersonator, for those who are new to the board, and may not know who he is) has been working in Branson, Missouri since July, and liked it there so well that he and his wife Betty bought a bed and breakfast inn, and it looks like they are considering relocating to that area. In addition, I had shared my thoughts with him regarding the desirability of a JW museum in Branson, and he is thinking of starting one there, initially converting the gift shop of their b&b to one. I'll keep you updated as to his progress. This is wonderful news!

Chester :newyear:

Great news, Chester. Just what are we looking for in this museum? Does Ermal have a lot of John Wayne (actual) things?

Just curious if we need to help out or if there is a warehouse of things ready to go in a museum. Keep us informed.

Cheers, Hondo B)

Hondo,

Below is an excerpt from an e-mail I received from Ermal -


Following up on your suggestion, I'm thinking seriously of converting our gift shop arena into an Unofficial JW Museum starting with my things. What do you think?

1) When people come to our B & B, they can view the items and purchase gifts of their choice

2) I'll start with my items first - and my books, et al.

3) I can solicit for other items to be shown (not sold) for the museum from other JW fans

4) I can sell items for others on a consignment basis.

Let me know what you think. Missouri is a good site base - and RR [Roy Rogers] Museum is already up and established - but of course it's 1000 times larger than our little gift shop - which is the converted garage portion of our B & B.

Again, Happy New Year. Let us hear from you. Thanks.

Always,

Ermal and Betty Williamson


When he says "my items" I'm sure he is referring to JW items he has collected over the years.

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

I think it will be great if this project gets of the ground.

:agent:

Interesting how thoughts, like like water have a natural way of finding a way home. I want to thank all members who have contributed, both in deed and in action ( communication etc ) towards the current reality. Now there is a drive underway to fund a John Wayne Museum at his birthplace - Winterset Iowa. Come the 29th of May some members might be saying hello in the flesh as they sit down to a fine meal and entertainment at the Rio Bravo celebration. Sounds mighty appealing or in the words from the Alamo ( slightly adjusted ) Do this mean what I think it do ?

It has been almost one Year now sense we Put In The John Wayne Part of The Wild West Museum in Williams, Arizona that is Called The Gate-Way to The Grand Canyon and we have had over 5000 People go though the Museum in the last year !
:teeth_smile:
Many of the people that come to take the Train to The Grand Canyon also take the Tour of the Museum, plus we now have Bus Tours to the Grand Canyon that stop at The Museum !!
:wink_smile:
Last weekend we took about 25 People though the Museum and we had a Snow Storm, so we think we will do much better this year as soon as it warms up !!!
:wink:
Below is what they have on Most of T.V. Stations and in Most of the Motels in Northern Arizona .
Yahoo
(bud)
Chilibill
:cowboy:



e39UQlc7jS8

Sounds like Winterset has the ball rolling on a JW museum, good for me as I live real close :shades_smile: