John Wayne's Birthplace

Above, the birthplace of John Wayne. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As Jessica was busy doing other things, I went solo to the John Wayne Birthplace & Museum in Winterset, Iowa yesterday.

I rented a car and headed there. It was about 45 miles away from Jessica's. 

The house where Wayne was born was acquired by Winterset around 1983 and restored. The furnishings inside were from the period, early 20th Century. 

Wayne's daughter Aissa and her husband head to Winterset every May to celebrate her dad's birthday and meet with her dad's fans.The museum has many movie artifacts from Wayne's films. It is not as extensive as the John Wayne: An  American Experience in Fort Worth, Texas, but it has plenty to not be disappointing.

Wayne and his family lived in Winterset for two years following his birth. It is a pretty small town, especially with the trees in their autumn colors. 

I was talking to the docents and they were not aware that the John Wayne Cancer Foundation holds marathons in different locations (like Ridgway, Colorado). I showed them photos of  Patrick and Ethan Wayne and me. They were quite fascinated. I told them I would try to have the Foundation contact them about promoting the marathons.

Of course, I took some photos while there: