Welcome to The Birthplace of John Wayne

Tour information and hours for the existing facilities are listed below.

Mark Your Calendars Now
for the

2010 John Wayne Birthday Celebration!

Friday, May 28th and Saturday May 29th

Buy your VIP EVENT TICKETS here


Latest items added to the Birthplace Shop:



Brian Downes and daughter on board the Wild Goose

On a recent visit to California, John Wayne Birthplace director Brian Downes and his family were hosted onboard John Wayne's former yacht the Wild Goose by Capt. Shawn Ware of Hornblower Cruises. The skipper even invited Downes to briefly take the helm of the fabled former Navy mine sweeper during an evening Newport Harbor cruise! Downes reports that Wayne had invited him to tour the splendid craft at some future date following their visit in 1977, but the tour was prevented by the actor’s failing health.

“This cruise was a fantastic experience’ said Downes, “and I feel that after all these years, our hero had somehow kept his promise.” More info

To book your own memorable Wild Goose cruise contact Hornblower Cruises & Events in Newport Beach. Call (949) 646-0155 or visit www.hornblower.com.


Our thanks to all who participated in the
2009 John Wayne Birthday Celebration!

Watch a video from the VIP Event: Lynn Anderson invites Carin Mari to join her singing “Cowboy Sweetheart”!


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 long way to go to reach our $5.5 million goal. Click for more information on the new Museum project or to contribute online!

Contribute to the new Museum and have a lasting memorial:
The John Wayne Birthplace Walk of Fame and Tribute Bricks

Granite Block

You can sponsor a laser-engraved granite block, one for each film starring John Wayne, that will be set in concrete to form our Walk of Fame which will connect the Birthplace home with the new Museum.

Tribute Brick

Or you may support the museum with a Tribute Brick. You will be permanently recognized for your support of John Wayne and what he stood for.

Right now you can purchase a 4" x 8" brick with your choice of three lines of text and have it placed on the walkway leading to the front steps of the Birthplace home! (see below)

4x8 Tribute Bricks on Birthplace walk

This offer is only available while the supply of brick spaces lasts! Click here to go directly to the information for this special limited-time offer!


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.

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


John WayneJohn 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 Birthplace of John Wayne is an inspiring tribute to a good friend and a great American.

BIRTHPLACE TOUR INFORMATION AND HOURS

The Birthplace of John Wayne is 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 available daily, with the last guided tour of the day beginning at 4:30pm. Handicap accessible.

Admission Fees for Guided Tour:

Adults

$6.00

Seniors (60 & over)

$5.00

Children (12 & under)

$2.00

Motorcoach tour groups:

Groups under 20, per person

$6.00

Groups over 20, per person

$4.00

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