Welcome to The Birthplace of John Wayne

Tour information and hours  |  John Wayne Merchandise NEW!


The John Wayne Birthplace is honored that Maureen O’Hara
and her family have accepted our invitation to attend the
John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset, Iowa
on May 24-25, 2013!

John Wayne Birthday Celebration A Tribute to MAUREEN O'HARA May 24-25, 2013 Winterset, Iowa

A few tickets for the Museum Benefit Dinner with Maureen O’Hara at 5pm on Saturday, May 25th are still available for purchase, but don’t wait!
LESS THAN A WEEK AWAY!
Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

#8400 2013 John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner

$125.00  

This is Maureen O’Hara’s public farewell to her legions of fans, and she’ll discuss her life-long friendship with John Wayne. This year’s Dinner will be held in a comfortable, air-conditioned indoor venue. Dinner tickets also include the Auction, sure to be a great one this year! Proceeds from the Dinner and auction benefit the John Wayne Birthplace Museum.

All of the films starring both John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara will be shown during the weekend: McLintock! (1963), Rio Grande (1950), The Quiet Man (1952), The Wings of Eagles (1957), and Big Jake (1971). There's a special Cowboy Swing Dance on Friday evening celebrating the 50th Anniversary of McLintock! and more. Click here for complete information.

With over 785 reservations already for the Benefit Dinner,
you'd better get yours NOW!

Of all my films, "The Quiet Man" is my favorite and John Wayne, who became a dear friend, was my favorite leading man

DON’T MISS MAUREEN AT THE FRI. WESTERN SWING DANCE!

Western Swing Dance

(Click for the full-size .pdf poster)

Friday, May 24th Celebrating the spirit of McLintock!—2013 is the 50th anniversary of that rollicking picture—the John Wayne Birthplace presents western swing bandleader Les Gilliam and his Silver Lake Band. Les has been designated the official Oklahoma Balladeer by the legislature of his home state and was honored with the coveted Wrangler Award for his contributions to traditional western music by the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. The three hour western swing dance commences at 7pm. Food vendors will have various western-themed vittles available for purchase beforehand starting at 6pm.

Maureen O’Hara says she will attend this event (she's even getting a new Western shirt!)
JOIN THE FUN NOW and get your ticket before its too late!

#8425

Fri. Western Swing Dance

  $25.00  



Get the Inside Track on What’s Happening!

Membership in the John Wayne Birthplace Society is just $45 per year. Members receive:

  • A John Wayne Congressional Medal coin (while supply lasts)
  • A beautiful color print of John Wayne
  • An official Certificate of Membership
  • A John Wayne Birthplace Society membership card
  • The Birthplace Bulletin, our quarterly newsletter (click the name or image to view)
  • Two tickets for a free tour of the Birthplace
  • Special members-only content and offers
  • Early access to special items and events before they are available to the general public

Join Today!

Birthplace Bulletin April 2013 Issue

 

Rendering of NEW John Wayne Birthplace Museum

Help Us Build the New John Wayne Birthplace Museum and Learning Center

YOU can help us build the only museum in the world dedicated to John Wayne! Help us teach new generations about Duke and the character for which he stood. We’re on our way, but there’s a way to go to reach our $5.5 million goal. More information on the new Museum

Contribute Now!
 

You may contribute with the following credit cards:

VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express
VISA
MasterCard
Discover
AMEX

Or help build the new Museum with a Walk of Fame Granite or a Tribute Brick. More information

Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The tax identification number of the John Wayne Birthplace Society Ltd., a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) corporation, is 42-1207533.




Saddle Up Visits The Birthplace of John Wayne

“Saddle Up with Dennis Brouse” visited the Birthplace as a segment of their show. It includes a visual tour of the Birthplace home with Birthplace Board Vice President Joe Zuckschwerdt, a horseback ride down the Clark Tower Trail in Winterset’s City Park with Ginger Ryals, an interview with long-time Duke costumer Luster Bayless, and highlights of the John Wayne Birthday Celebration.

Learn more about “Saddle Up with Dennis Brouse” at http://saddleupwithdennisbrouse.com.


JOHN WAYNE MERCHANDISE

Sales of products from our shop support The John Wayne Birthplace Society, a non-profit organization which exists to preserve and expand the Birthplace of Winterset’s most famous resident. If you'd like to become a member of the Society, click here.

You can order toll-free by phone from the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean: (877) 462-1044.

Here’s the latest NEW! items in our Birthplace Shop:

John Wayne: The Legend And The Man Book

Courage T-Shirt in Prairie Dust

American Legend Sign

John Wayne Country Sign

Birthplace Boot Can Cozy

John Wayne Child’s Dinner Set

Duke Card Holder

John Wayne Toothpick Dispenser

Duke Talking Pocket Watch

“Got To Do” Lunchbox

Duke T-Shirt Ornament

The Green Berets Glasses Set

American Legend Mug

Double-walled Ceramic Travel Mug

The Green Berets Mug

Collectible Courage Mug

2013 John Wayne Calendar

John Wayne Signature License Plate

John Wayne Birthplace Patch

John Wayne American Legend Switchplate

Cup & Ball Toy

Buzz Saw Toy

John Wayne Birthplace Bumper Sticker

John Wayne Birthplace Keychain

Military Services Keychains

Roseman Bridge Fine Art Cards

The Searchers Canvas Print

Liberty Valance Canvas Print

John Wayne Birthplace Bag

John Wayne Birthplace Thimble

John Wayne Birthplace Shot Glass

Roseman Bridge Shot Glass

Horseback Decoupage Ornament

The Alamo Decoupage Ornament

The Searchers Decoupage Ornament

Lariat Decoupage Ornament

Horseshoe Decoupage Ornament

John Wayne Bobblehead


John Wayne: The mere mention of his name produces images of courage and patriotism.

The life story of John Wayne began in the central Iowa town of Winterset. He was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, the son of Clyde and Mary Brown Morrison.

His father Clyde was a pharmacist who worked on the south side of Winterset's town square. In his youth, Clyde attended nearby Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. John Wayne described his father as “the kindest, most patient man I ever knew.”

Wayne’s mother Mary was of Irish descent, and Duke said “she was a tiny, vivacious red-headed bundle of energy.”

Step back in time and picture the life of a young midwestern boy and his family near the turn of the century. This modest four-room home has been restored to reflect its appearance in 1907, the year of Duke’s birth. An impressive collection of John Wayne memorabilia includes unique items such as the eyepatch worn in the movie True Grit, a hat worn in Rio Lobo, and a prop suitcase used in the film Stagecoach. Hundreds of rare photographs of Duke are on display as well as letters from Lucille Ball, Gene Autry, Maureen O’Hara, Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan and George Burns.

Since its opening, the childhood home of John Wayne has been visited by many celebrities and dignitaries. On November 3, 1984, President Ronald Reagan commented that the John Wayne Birthplace is an inspiring tribute to a good friend and a great American.

BIRTHPLACE TOUR INFORMATION AND HOURS

We are open seven days a week, 10:00am to 4:30pm except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter.

Guided tours of the house are given daily, with the last guided tour of the day beginning at 4:30pm. Guided tours of the house are handicap accessible. Tickets are purchased and the tours depart from the Welcome Center, just north of the Birthplace home.

Admission Fees for Guided Tour:

Adults

$7.00

Seniors (60 & over)

$6.00

Children (12 & under)

$3.00

Motorcoach tour groups:

Per person

$5.00

Back to top

Nearby accommodations at the Hampton Inn in West Des Moines:

Hampton Inn logo

Hampton Inn Des Moines-West

7060 Lake Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
Phone (515) 223-4700 - Fax (515) 221-1010
www.desmoineswest.hamptoninn.com


John Wayne Birthplace
216 S. 2nd St.
Winterset, Iowa 50273 USA
(515) 462-1044 - toll-free (877) 462-1044
E-mail

Facebook


Home - News - New Museum - Directions - Birthday Celebration - Birthplace Society - Links

Privacy - Centennial - SHOP: - Apparel - Books - Collectibles - Video/Audio

Copyright © 1997-2013, John Wayne Birthplace Society, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.