Free Birthplace Tours

Chuckwagon Supper

Michael Martin Murphey Concert

Special Screening of “The Cowboys”
 with Special Appearance by actor Robert Carradine

Photo by Rhonda Early

Brian Downes Appointed Executive Director

The Birthplace of John Wayne is pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Downes as Executive Director.

Until recently, Downes, a life-long Chicagoan, was a staffer of the Chicago Tribune. Among his varied assignments, he has written extensively on the historic American West for the Tribune’s travel section, covering the lives and locales of such notables as Buffalo Bill Cody, Will Rogers, Jesse James and, of course John Wayne.

“I cannot remember not being a John Wayne fan,” said Downes. “So you can imagine what a thrill it was to interview him at his home in 1977 and to collaborate with him later on a couple of newspaper articles detailing Wayne’s opposition to mandatory retirement at age 65 and, most notably, his support of the Panama Canal Treaties.”

John Wayne fans who attended the Centennial Birthday Celebration in 2007 may remember Downes as Maj. Frank North, leader of the crowd-pleasing “Wild West Revue” which performed to standing-room-only crowds at the fairgrounds.

“I’m proud as can be that the John Wayne Birthplace has entrusted me first and foremost to develop the planned Birthplace Museum” says Downes. “For me, this is not a job; it's a mission!”

The larger-than-life bronze statue of John Wayne presented by the Wayne Family on his 100th birthday at the John Wayne Birthday Centennial Celebration is now on display at the Welcome Center. Click for a larger view.

Here’s the latest items in our Birthplace Shop:

	“Wagons” Mug		John Wayne Figurine
	American Cowboy Lunchbox		“A Man’s Got To Do” Wood Sign
	“Courage” Wood Sign		There Rode A Legend Leatherbound Book
	Horseshoe/Spur Frame		Boot/Spur Frame
	Hat/Rope Frame		3 Godfathers 11x17 Poster
	El Dorado 11x17 Poster		Horse Soldiers 11x17 Poster
	King of the Pecos 11x17 Poster		Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 11x17 Poster
	McLintock! 11x17 Poster		Oregon Trail 11x17 Poster
	Rio Bravo 11x17 Poster		The Shootist 11x17 Poster
	True Grit 11x17 Poster

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 the 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 the 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 the 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.