John Wayne Birthplace Museum — Attraction in Winterset

I have always loved this guy since I was a kid. He seemed like he could always save the world and make it better. You knew you could depend on him. That somehow someway he would make it right. The 1st time I saw the movie The Searchers I was hooked I watched that movie at least 100 times & after looking for Debbie for 5 long years you couldn't wait for him to chase her down that hill & take her in his arms and tell her to lets go home or after he takes her home and suddenly he's standing alone at that doorway and turns and walks away how could you watch that and not be moved to tears? The museum was great seeing all his personal items along with all the movie memorabilia from so many movies. It's hard to picture him making that many movies. Outside the museum circling it there are stones listing all his movies he ever made I thought that was really cool. I believe that everyone did like I did look to find your favorite movie. They have a short movie about him (that I think is great) and I think that should be the 1st thing you do to put you in a John Wayne sort of mind. Step into his world and enjoy all that they have to offer. So walking into his childhood home was like unreal he was a little kid here how could you picture him ever being a little kid playing with his brother having a mom and dad just like everyone else. Let me tell you I had a really great day just me and the...

If you are passing through these parts and don't take some time to stop here, you are making a big mistake, Pilgrim!

The wheel chair accessible main museum building incudes a film room where visitors may view a 10 plus minute video of just a few highlights of the iconic American movie and Academy Award winning legend John Wayne's career that began during the silent film era of the late 1920s and blossomed into many bankable lead roles from the 1930s through the 1970s. Other separate rooms contain well curated artifacts (movie posters, clothing, weapons, props, film gear, and more) from his personal life and cinematic career.

Outside of the museum there is a large statue of the Duke, many stone tiles recognizing his many film roles, and a boulder with a mural of his many military film roles.

Next to the museum is a whitewashed clapboard siding home where a 13-pound Marion Robert Morrison was born and lived for only a few years. before his family moved to other Iowa towns. Knowledgeable museum staff members greeted us in the tiny 4-room home and explained details about the home's history and restoral, as well as the life and career of Winterset's famous son.

The cost of entry was $20 for adults and discounts were available.

Many souvenirs are available for purchase in the...

My husband really wanted to see this. We had all 4 kids with us, ranging in age from 11--21. Not all of them started off interested in this, but all of them ended up really enjoying it. Admission included an 11 minute video introduced on screen by one of John Wayne's daughters, entry into an immaculately organized though small museum of very interesting items from John Wayne's life and entry into his childhood home. The video was shown in a small, private theater containing approximately 50 seats that were obtained from Grauman's Chinese Theater in LA. The theater was just off to one side of a nice sized gift shop. Off to the other side was the actual museum. The highlight of the museum for me was the side buggy used in The Quiet Man, donated by Maureen O'hara. Just around the corner from the museum, a mere countable steps, is the house that John Wayne was born in and spent his first 28 months of life. It's adorable, with original woodwork, floors and stained glass. The staff at these locations were knowledgeable and helpful and seemed genuinely happy to be there. I'd definitely come back. There are several members of my family that I know...