John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
The John Wayne Birthplace & Museum contains an extensive collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the actor’s life and career. Naturally, the facility also includes a movie theater. Relax in comfortable seats (originally from Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood) and watch a documentary on Duke’s phenomenal film career. Be sure to explore our gift shop’s wide assortment of John Wayne merchandise perfect for souvenirs or great new items to add to your collection. You’ll be fascinated as you linger and learn about John Wayne the actor, the private citizen and an American legend.
The life story of John Wayne began here in Winterset, Iowa. He was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, the son of Clyde and Mary Brown Morrison. Step back in time and picture the life of a young midwestern boy and his family near the turn of the 20th century. The modest four-room home has been restored to reflect its appearance in 1907. Adjacent to the home, the John Wayne Birthplace Museum is open daily and offers the largest diversified collection of John Wayne artifacts in existence, including movie posters, film wardrobe, original scripts, contracts, letters, artwork and sculpture — even one of his last custom-built cars. Our gift shop carries a wide assortment of John Wayne merchandise perfect for souvenirs or great items to add to your collection.
Since the John Wayne Birthplace Society was established in 1982, more than a million visitors have journeyed to historic Madison County to tour his birthplace home. Guests have included President Ronald Reagan, movie legend Maureen O’Hara, Wayne’s widow and all of his children, and fans from 50 states and 40 foreign countries.
2022 marked the grand opening of a new addition to the John Wayne Birthplace Museum which houses photos, memorabilia, a movie theater, and a gift shop all to honor the legacy of John Wayne. This impressive 10,400-square-foot museum now allows visitors to see the largest diversified exhibit of John Wayne artifacts in existence.
The John Wayne Birthplace & Museum hosts an annual John Wayne Birthday Celebration each May around the actor's birthday. This two-day celebration includes a Friday night reception at the Birthplace Museum featuring discussions and book signings with esteemed authors, an annual benefit dinner and auction at the Madison County Fairgrounds with musical headliners, big screen presentations of a couple of his movies at the Iowa Theater, a 5K Walk/Run, and much more!
Category: Arts & Entertainment, Historical
Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Contact
205 S. John Wayne Dr.
Winterset, IA 50273
515-462-1044
