John Wayne Birthday Celebration on Des Moines TV News

Des Moines, Iowa TV station KCCI had a report on their news of this year's John Wayne Birthday Celebration “Salute to Maureen O’Hara.” Click here or the image above for the video.

John Wayne Birthplace Is The Cover Story in Winterset Living Magazine

Winterset Living Magazine, a monthly local publication has a very nice cover story about the John Wayne Birthplace in this month’s issue. Learn more about our native son John Wayne, see the room where he was born, learn how he got his nickname “Duke” and learn more about the Tribute to Maureen O’Hara at this year’s John Wayne Birthday Celebration.

Winterset Living magazine

“The Duke Lived Here” Cover Story

.pdf copy of this issue

John Wayne Remains on the Harris Poll of America’s Favorite Movie Stars

The new Harris Poll is out and John Wayne is the sixth most favorite movie star in America, above such stars as George Clooney and Harrison Ford (click here for details). Harris has been conducting this poll for 19 years since 1994, and Wayne is the only star who has been on the list every single year as well as the only deceased actor on the list. Considering Wayne’s last movie was made in 1976 (37 years ago), that’s a pretty remarkable achievement!

John Wayne’s Granddaughter Jennifer a Contestant on The Amazing Race

Jennifer Wayne, John Wayne’s granddaughter, will be a contestant on The Amazing Race that premieres February 17th on CBS. Jennifer (on the right) and her Stealing Angels bandmate Caroline Cutbirth (who happens to be a descendant of Daniel Boone) will be one of the teams racing around the world to compete for a $1 million prize. Click here to watch Jennifer and Caroline talk about it all.

Harry Carey, Jr. Services

Harry Carey, Jr., longtime John Wayne co-star and part of legendary director John Ford’s stock company passed away December 27th at age 91. He was a good friend and a strong supporter of the John Wayne Birthplace for many years. Our condolences to his wife Marilyn and his family.

Birthplace Director Brian Downes was in attendance at the service. “The service was January 12 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Santa Barbara where Dobe lived for the last decade or so. The church was jam-packed with 300 of Dobe's family, friends and colleagues and fans. Sitting close by were actors Robert Carradine who appeared with Dobe in The Long Riders and Claude Jarman Jr. who played John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara's son, Trooper Jefferson Yorke, in Rio Grande. (Jarman was the teenager who performed that outstanding Roman ride alongside Dobe and Ben Johnson.) Also on hand was author Dan Ford, grandson of director John Ford; John Wayne’s daughter, Melinda Munoz, and granddaughter Anita LaCava Swift.

“Eulogies were short but most memorable to me was the full-throated organ playing “Shall we Gather by the River” Dobe’s‘'theme song’ in 3 Godfathers.

“I’ve known Dobe about 20 years since my days of writing westerns for the Chicago Tribune and was thrilled to have shared with him so many memorable events in his later life. I rode alongside him on his last horseback trip to Monument Valley, was there when he was inducted into the Great Western Performers gallery at the Cowboy Hall of Fame and escorted him to the Reagan Presidential Library where he received the red carpet treatment at the museum’s U.S.Cavalry: History and Hollywood Exhibit.

“Dobe used to say he wanted his tombstone to read: “He rode with the Duke.” Yes, he did, but that was just part of his story.”

New Restored Version of The Quiet Man Out January 22nd

A gorgeous new restored version of The Quiet Man will be out on high-definition blu-ray disc on January 22, 2013. Scanned from the original camera negative, this is by far the best looking version ever released. See the screenshots and review at http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Quiet-Man-Blu-ray/58675/#Review.

It is our humble pleasure to share this stunning restored version on the big screen with Maureen O'Hara herself who has accepted our invitation to join us at our 2013 John Wayne Birthday Celebration featuring a tribute to Maureen O'Hara on May 24-25th. All of the films starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara (Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles, McLintock! and Big Jake) will be shown on the big screen in the Iowa Theatre on the Courthouse Square in Winterset.

There will be lots of fun and plenty of free things to do during this event. For those interested in attending our John Wayne Birthplace Museum Benefit Dinner with Maureen O'Hara on May 25th, tickets are now available here or by phone toll-free at (877) 462-1044. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

P.S.: We’ve seen the new Blu-ray disk and it is stunning! Colors and scenery are beautiful without being oversaturated and the detail is amazing. Clearly the best version ever available for home video!

Carolyn Farr Named Madison County Covered Bridge Festival Queen

John Wayne Birthplace’s own Carolyn Farr was named as this year’s Queen of the 2012 Madison County Covered Bridge Festival which takes place on October 13-14. She’s pictured riding in the Bridge Festival Parade with Festival King Don Pettit, who volunteers frequently for the Birthplace. Carolyn’s managed our gift shop and welcome center for the past ten years and is one of the smiling faces you’ll meet when you visit.

Since 1970, the Covered Bridge Festival has honored the world-famous Madison County covered bridges and the hardy pioneers who founded this area with food and crafts, non-stop music on several stages and many more delights. Visit madisoncounty.com for more information on the Bridge Festival.

New Birthplace Gazebo Dedicated to Carolyn Farr

A beautiful new gazebo erected in the back garden at the John Wayne Birthplace was dedicated to Caroyln Farr, the Manager of the John Wayne Birthplace Welcome Center. Caroyln has watched for years as visitors from literally around the world have lingered here while savoring John Wayne’s Birthplace. She envisioned a comfortable place where they could enjoy a brief rest from their travels. A plaque that reads “With Appreciation To Our Great Friend Carolyn Farr” adorns the gazebo entrance. Pictured left to right are Lindsay Baessler, Executive Director of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce; Joe Zuckschwerdt, President of the John Wayne Birthplace; Carolyn Farr; and Dr. Doyle Scott, Administrator of the Greater Madison County Community Foundation.

The garden and gazebo will soon be available for use by small wedding parties.

Many thanks to the Greater Madison County Community Foundation and the Community Betterment Grant from the Madison County Chamber of Commerce whose helped pay for a portion of the cost.

Birthplace Introduces The Horse Soldiers at the Corning Opera House

Birthplace director Brian Downes (left) gives a short talk on the John Wayne film The Horse Soldiers before the big-screen presentation of the film at the newly-restored Opera House in Corning, Iowa.

This impressive facility first constructed in 1902 has been ccompletely restored. More information about the Corning Opera House can be viewed here.

Maureen O’Hara Records Greeting for the John Wayne Birthplace

Maureen O’Hara Herself has recorded a personal greeting to the John Wayne Birthplace which will be screened during the John Wayne Birthday Celebration in Winterset on May 26th during the Midwest Premiere of the John Ford–Dreaming the Quiet Man documentary!

See more information about the documentary here.

See complete details about the John Wayne Birthday Celebration here.

American Flag Flown at the John Wayne Birthplace Part of a Proud Tradition

Dave Grodt CSC (SS), an active duty US Navy Chief Petty Officer who will be retiring next year wrote us: “It is a tradition to have the American flag that will be presented at your retirement ceremony flown over a patriotic location. Being a history major, I have taken this tradition one step further by having my flag flown at as many locations around the world and here at home that display the meaning in American patriotism and sacrifice. And it doesn’t get any more American than John Wayne.”

We are all very proud to have his flag flown here at the John Wayne Birthplace (see above).

His flag has already flown at Iwo Jima, Gettysburg, Antietam, Fort McHenry, Mount Rushmore, the Alamo, Omaha Beach in Normandy France, Belleau Wood in France, on the USS Arizona, at the Saipan Battlefield, and on Midway Island. The flag has also “flown” aboard Fifi, the last flying B-29 Superfortress. It has been on display over the Harley Davidson Motorcycle Factory and at Jack Daniels in Lynchburg TN. Last year it flew aboard the F/V Wizard on the TV show Deadliest Catch.

The flag is scheduled to go to McMurdo Station in Antarctica as well as Independence Hall and the Statue of Liberty.

More photos of where the flag has flown can be viewed here.

John Wayne Statue Adorns New Winterset Phone Book

Springtime means new telephone directories and Winterset’s HomePages phone book features the John Wayne Birthplace’s Duke statue on their cover (left). The Welcome to Winterset page reads:

“Winterset's most famous landmark is the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, located not far from the downtown area. The museum celebrates the actor’s life with guided tours and a wide selection of John Wayne memorabilia.”

Click the image for a full-size view.

Birthplace Chosen As Western Treasure

The John Wayne Birthplace is proud to be chosen as one of the Western Treasures of True West magazine’s 2012 Best of the West!

Aissa Wayne at the Maureen O’Hara Foundation Annual Tribute and Awards

John Wayne’s daughter and Birthplace board member Aissa Wayne visits with Maureen O’Hara at the Maureen O’Hara Foundation Annual Tribute and Awards ceremony in County Cork, Ireland on October 1, 2011. Birthplace President Joe Zuckschwerdt and Executive Director Brian Downes accompanied Aissa to the event. John Wayne was this year’s recipient of the Legacy and Excellence Award.

The British Are Coming!

A motorcoach tour of approximately sixty British tourists stopped by the John Wayne Birthplace for a brief visit. They stretched their legs, visited the John Wayne statue and the Welcome Center, and of course took lots of photos in front of the Birthplace home. Then they headed down the road to the Holliwell covered bridge, one of the world-famous Bridges of Madison County.

Auction At New Museum Benefit Dinner Raises A Record $38,000+

Auctioneer Jon Garrison holds a 26 Bar Ranch belt buckle. The design commemorates the 26 Bar Ranch near Scottsdale, Arizona that John Wayne owned with partner Louis Johnson.

The auction that took place during the New Museum Benefit Dinner at the 2011 John Wayne Birthday Celebration raised a record amount of over $38,000. Unique items included a framed photo from Rio Grande signed by Benefit Dinner guest Claude Jarman, Jr.; a floorboard from the actual home of General George Armstrong Custer; a commemorative 7th Cavalry bugle donated by the U.S. Cavalry Museum; and an original 1927 USC yearbook from John Wayne’s senior year.

Items bringing in the most funds included an original Springfield Model 1873 Trapdoor Carbine, also used by Warner Bros. for $3,750; a 26 Bar Ranch belt buckle donated by Birthplace Board President Joe Zuckschwerdt for $6,700; and an original oil painting of John Wayne as Capt. Nathan Brittles for $16,000.

Proceeds from this auction support the new John Wayne Birthplace Museum and Learning Center.

Scale Model of John Wayne’s Yacht the Wild Goose Unveiled At The 2011 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

At a special event at the Birthplace on Saturday, a scale model of John Wayne’s converted minesweeper turned yacht, the Wild Goose was unveiled. From right to left are Aissa Wayne, John Wayne’s daughter, Captain Shawn Ware of Hornblower Cruises, present owners of the real Wild Goose, and Scott Conrad, Aissa’s husband and an Academy Award-winning Hollywood film editor.

John Wayne Regains Number 3 spot of America’s Favorite Movie Stars

In the latest annual Harris poll of America’s Favorite Movie Stars, John Wayne moves up to the number 3 position again. Besides being the only actor who has be in the top ten every year since the poll started in 1994, he’s also the only deceased actor. He remains so popular despite the fact that his last film, The Shootist, was made in 1976, thirty-five years ago!

Positive PROOF of TIME TRAVEL! iPhone in 1948 Film!

In 1948’s Fort Apache, You can clearly see Lt. Col. Owen Thursday (Henry Fonda) and his daughter Philadelphia (Shirley Temple) checking their stagecoach route on an iPhone! In 1948!!!

See for yourself on the big screen during the John Wayne Birthday Celebration May 27-28 in Winterset, Iowa. Featuring John Ford's legendary cavalry trilogy: Rio Grande, She Wore A Yellow Ribbon, and, of course, Fort Apache!

Marine Corps Commandant General James F. Amos Writes “John Wayne holds a special place in our Corps’ History”

General James F. Amos, a four-star general, the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff recently wrote to John Wayne’s daughter Aissa on the 235th anniversary of the founding of the Marine Corps. In this letter, he describes the importance of John Wayne on their branch of the Armed Forces:

“Marines may never have had the opportunity to see these milestones had it not been for your father’s participation in The Sands of Iwo Jima. Though a connection between the bright lights of Hollywood and the survival of a branch of our Armed Forces may seem unlikely to some, Marines are aware of the impact that movie had on ensuring that our Nation would have a Marine Corps for generations to come. Though he never served as an active duty Marine, John Wayne holds a special place in our Corps’ history."

Click the image below for a full-size view.