Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum — Attraction in Jamestown

This museum was a special, nostalgic experience for me. Growing up in the 60s and 70s, there were a few shows that were woven into the fabric of my being. The TV was switched on for a good part of the day during summer vacation days. In those days with only five or six choices of stations, during daytime hours there were few viewing options beyond the dreadful soaps that ran most of the day along with the even more dreadful talk shows that followed. But I was saved from the morass by stellar PBS options like Sesame Street and the syndicated re-runs on independent stations such as the Andy Griffith Show, Gilligan's Island, Gomer Pyle, Lost in Space, etc. that I grew to appreciate. Of course, a wonderful, classic choice was I Love Lucy. Its production had long been over by the time I started watching it in syndication. But its humor was timeless and endearing nonetheless. The candy production line and grape vat stomping scenes are etched in my mind for all time. And of course, Lucille Ball had a prime time show by then with her kids and Gale Gordon as co-stars, so she was recognizable to me apart from her highly successful former series.

This museum was extremely interesting to me because of the level of personal relateability. But it was interesting on a general level to learn more about Lucille Ball's roots, the influence of Jamestown on her personality, her early exploits, her family situation and how she got started in show business. It was likewise interesting to explore Desi Arnaz's privileged background in Cuba, his immigration to the US and his ascent to renown. The details of how they met, their family, the development of their highly acclaimed series and the exploits of their extremely successful production company were fascinating. For example, the fact that Star Trek was backed by Desilu was something I never knew. I would not have associated them. The artifacts on display including costumes and a couple of sets were well chosen.

For those who love and appreciate classic TV, this museum is a must-see. This "time-of-my-life" experience was similarly wonderful to the one I had at the Andy Griffith Museum in North Carolina. Even for those not familiar with the show or with Desi and Lucy, it is a terrific peek into 20th-century Americana. It's worth the investment of 90 minutes to two hours. Get the combo ticket with the Comedy Museum. It's a worthwhile package and...

If you’re a Lucy fan like my wife and I, the Lucy Desi Museum is an absolute must-visit! This place is packed with charm and nostalgia, making it such a fun and meaningful experience. The exhibits bring Lucy’s life and career to life in a way that really resonates with fans, old and new.

One of the highlights for us was the headphone-guided audio tour, which we didn’t realize was available until we’d already gone through the first exhibit. We decided to double back and experience it again with the tour, and it was so worth it! The audio tour gave us deeper insights and added fascinating context to each exhibit, enhancing the entire experience.

Seeing Lucy’s iconic costumes up close was a real treat, and the sets recreated to show what the original filming environment looked like brought a touch of Hollywood magic to the museum. It felt like stepping back in time and getting a glimpse of the classic TV era.

The museum is located in Jamestown, which was a bit of a drive from Niagara Falls, where we were staying, but it was well worth it. The drive itself was scenic, with beautiful views that made the journey enjoyable in its own right. We also loved that the museum offers a self-guided driving tour, allowing you to explore other significant sites in Lucy’s life around Jamestown. You can even visit the cemetery where Lucy is buried, which was a surprisingly touching experience for us as longtime fans.

If you’re visiting the area, do yourself a favor and plan a trip to the Lucy Desi Museum. It’s so much more than just a collection of memorabilia—it’s a heartfelt tribute to a comedy icon and a delightful walk down memory lane for fans...

This is a small but very well done museum! Jamestown has tremendous adoration for its Lucille Ball history and she is commemorated in many ways throughout the town. The story of Lucy and Desi is so touching and beautifully captured here in the museum. Visiting taps the nostalgia of easy, pleasant memory from youth and definitely speaks to days of old and the fun of early tv comedy. My 20 something year old daughter commented that not growing up with Lucy as we did might make it harder for her to connect to but truly, the museum is laid out in such away that I believe anyone could. You cant watch the old clips or home movies of Lucy and Desi and not look on with fondness. The museum has 2 main parts...the story of Lucy's life, and an homage to the I Love Lucy television show. Both are worthwhile and recommended. Great costumes, comprehensive signage to tell the story, and recreated stage sets are all part of the show. For 10.00 additional you can get your photos taken in the sets. This was fun and the staff was very generous with his willingness to take many. You caneven film your very own Vitameatavegemin commercial! Beyond the museum walls, there are 5 murals through town which should be seen. 4 are walkable. You can also see the home Lucy was born in, the home she was raised in, her school, the theater she got her start in, and where she is buried. Search Google for ,"The Lucytown Tour" for exact locations of each of these and more. The museum can also...