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.

John Wayne’s Wild Goose Now Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

John Wayne’s yacht the Wild Goose, a converted World War II-era minesweeper, has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Read the news storyin the Orange County Daily Pilot here. Wild Goose information in the National Register can be viewed here.

A scale model of the Wild Goose as it appeared when owned by John Wayne is a part of our collection at the John Wayne Birthplace. It was unveiled at a ceremony at the 2011 John Wayne Birthday Celebration by Wayne’s daughter Aissa; see the photo and more information here.

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.

KCCI-TV/Des Moines Coverage of the 2011 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

This story broadcast Friday, May 27th includes interviews with visitors and Claude Jarman, Jr. as well as a bit of background on Birthplace Executive Director Brian Downes. Click here or the image above to view.

WHO-TV/Des Moines Coverage of the 2011 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

This story broadcast May 28th includes interviews with cavalrymen and visitors. Click here or the image to view.

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.

Birthplace Officials Present Trophy at the John Wayne Stakes at Prairie Meadows

John Wayne Birthplace board members Richard Grimes (left) and Marjorie Baker (third from left) join Birthplace Executive Director Brian Downes in presenting the trophy for the $70,000 John Wayne Stakes sprint for Iowa-breds at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa on May 14th. Jockey Terry Thompson (right) rode Mutti Blues through a light rain to win by 4-3/4 lengths.

John Wayne: American Exhibit at the Strategic Air & Space Museum

In conjunction with the John Wayne Birthplace, the Stategic Air & Space Museum just outside of Omaha, Nebraska on Interstate 80 will have an exhibit running from June 11–October 2, 2011 entitled John Wayne: American that showcases artifacts from his movies and personal life from one of the most impressive collections on John Wayne ever assembled. They’ll also have special showings of John Wayne’s military and patriotic themed movies throughout the summer. For more information call (402) 944-3100 or visit their web site at www.sasmuseum.com. Click the flyer image for a larger view.

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.