Central States, Lawman and Outlaws Historic Association: John Wayne's 2024 Birthday Celebration, Winterset Iowa; By G.C. Stevens

John Wayne Birthplace Museum, Winterset Iowa

Photo from a post card in the Authors collection

Marion Robert Morrison May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979,

professionally known as John Wayne

Nicknamed "the Duke", John Wayne was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood's Golden Age, especially in Western and war movies. His career flourished from the silent era of the 1920s through the American New Wave, as he appeared in a total of 179 film and television productions. He was among the top box-office draws for three decades and appeared with many other important Hollywood stars of his era. In 1999, the American Film Institute selected Wayne as one of the greatest male stars of classic American cinema. -Wikipedia

I've always said that Iowa is the gateway to the American West. It was the place where Jesse James committed the first train robbery in the west, the land of the Mormon trail, the home of a young Wyatt Earp, his family and his bigger than life father Nicholas Earp. But no other town in Iowa Exemplifies Iowa as wild west state like Winterset Iowa, which is the hometown of John Wyane's Birthplace and the museum dedicated to his life.. Every year the John Wayne Birthplace museum holds a series of events over the Memorial day weekend to remember John Wayne and his contributions to the people of the United States. I visited the celebration on Saturday and toured the museum, John Wyane's Birth home and viewed a small documentary about John Wyanes's movie Career. I was also very honored to have met Michael Blake who is not only an author but a well known Hollywood makeup artist Michael F. Blake - Author (michaelfblake.com) Who was at the museum signing his book "The Cavalry Trilogy, John Ford. John Wayne, and the Making of three Classic Westerns.

The event included a reception, book signings, John Wayne movies shown at the local theater, a dinner, auction and much more. The Museum has an extensive collection of John Wayne movie memorabilia, and personal items that belonged to the Duke. The house where John Wyane was born had guided tours, and is a well kept version of the original home. The structure is original, but the contents and furniture of the home are comprised of many donated, but period correct items that give the home a very realistic and original feel for the early 20th century. The staff there are very well read and informative about the home and its background. The museum has a great gift shop, theater and interpretive signs, dioramas, (My favorite was the 54mm scale Alamo that they had on display) and original items. During the event, there were multiple period horse drawn wagons on site, including a working and staffed chuck wagon. The outside grounds are adorned with statutes of John Wayne, and plaques on the ground all around the main museum that commemorate each movie that John Wayne acted in, from his first to his last movie. The plaques compliment the collection that the museum has in its possession.

I thought, I'd add this message from the John Wayne Birthplace that was posted on social media;

It is always a somber day when we have to admit that our yearly celebration of John Wayne has come and gone. For all those who made their way to the birthplace of our beloved Duke, we want to thank you for sharing these special days with us. For all of the volunteers, performers, and speakers, we offer you a tip of the hat for making this such a memorable experience. But, have no fear. We are already planning an even bigger party for the Duke next year.

In the meantime, keep an eye on this page, and don’t forget the immortal words of John Wayne: “We must always look to the future. Tomorrow - the time that gives a man just one more chance - is one of the many things that I feel are wonderful in life…But I think tomorrow is the most important thing. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives, and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.”

See you next year!

#JohnWayne #happybirthdayduke