The Jimmy Stewart Museum Faces An Uncertain Future

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Dec 22nd 2010 at 4:00AM

Fame can be fleeting and as we've seen with the closing of the Liberace museum in Nevada and the Roy Rogers museum in California, sometimes lack of interest can spell the end of the road for museums dedicated to a single person, no matter how legendary. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania has been struggling to stay afloat. According to the article, attendance is down, state funding is disappearing and grants are also hard to get. Although the museum has a fairly modest operating budget of $140,000 that number may get harder and harder to reach.

The museum, which has been open since 1995, is a treasure trove of Stewart memorabilia including costumes, scripts, his childhood bed and even the red leather booth from Chasen's Restaurant in Hollywood where the Stewart family used to dine every week. Even though people are still indulging in the Christmas tradition of watching Stewart's 1946 classic movie "It's a Wonderful Life," that hasn't translated to people visiting the museum.

Museum director Timothy Harley has been appealing for help from local foundations but could use a little divine intervention. The Stewart family donates $25,000 every year and gave the county a $500,000 endowment fund for various agencies and other famous friends of Stewart have helped including impressionist Rich Little, who funded a $20,000 museum canopy, and Nick Clooney, father of actor George, brother of singer Rosemary who provided the audio for a self-guided museum tour. Clooney and Little also co-host the museum's annual dinner. Recently we saw the planned Red Skelton museum get a $1 million gift, perhaps some holiday magic will find its way to the Stewart museum.

Tags: Its a Wonderful Life, jimmy stewart, jimmy stewart museum

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Matt Dec 25th 2010 6:20AM

Wow, what a shame. I've always been a big Stewart fan -- he was my favorite film actor -- but I had no idea a museum existed. Perhaps the problem is not Fleeting Fame, but Paltry Publicity.

robert Jan 6th 2011 11:32PM

he always played a wuss. He was better in the movies that he hardly had nothing to say.

Bart Dec 25th 2010 7:56AM

I think maybe you should check your facts. I believe he served as a bomber pilot in WW II and continued to remain in the service in the reserves eventually ending his career after years serving our Country. If you are concerned because he didn't shoot his mouth off about social issues he knew nothing about like many actors do today, well you right. He only did his duty. Wuss, I don't think so?

Cyndi Dec 25th 2010 12:02PM

Robert, check your facts please. Mr. Stewart retired as a Brigadier General in the Armed Forces in a reserve capacity. He fought over 30 bombing missions in World War II. Google him and you'll see what I'm saying.
He was a wonderful actor, a kind gentleman to family and friends and was a dedicated husband and father.
Stop maligning a person that you do NOT know.
Get an education and you might learn something....

Jo Ann Dec 25th 2010 6:56AM

He is very much one of my all time actors, he humble sweetness was a real part of him. A war hero taboot. This makes me very sad about the musem.

gurusoldier Dec 25th 2010 6:56AM

I live in Pennsylvania and I have never heard of a Jimmy Stewart Museum! Maybe a little advertising could help via the Internet and some local advertising on Public TV?

Edward Pruett Dec 25th 2010 8:32AM

I certainly agree with you. I have never heard of the Jimmie Stewart Museum. PA is not that far from where I live. I certainly would like to visit the museum. I did visit the Roy Rogers Museum when it was in CA and in Branson. People have no idea what they missed. What a collection. I will guess the Stewart Museum is worth seeing. A little advertizing might help.

Michael Dec 25th 2010 7:02AM

I live in Pennsylvania and I have never heard of a Jimmy Stewart Museum! Maybe a little advertising via the Internet and some promotionals of the free or low cost Public TV programs would help out and even using the latter, you never know who is up watch Public TV at 2:00 AM?

Phil Dec 25th 2010 7:36AM

I never knew that there was a Jimmy Stewart museum either. Some advertising probably wouldn't hurt. Isn't there public TV in Pennsylvania?

grainman1955 Dec 25th 2010 7:39AM

Atta boy Robert, run down a WWll vet., who helped make it possible for dips like you to mouth off.

Kurtz4818 Dec 25th 2010 9:01AM

The Roy Rogers museum didn,t close . It moved to Branson,MO. If you can't get the people to come to you, then go to where the people are.

John Dec 25th 2010 1:43PM

Kurtz, that is good to know, thanks! Should we be surprised at this closing? Now they are calling these kids, stars, even game show hosts have a star along side with real ACTORS, like John Wayne, Betty Grable, and Vanna White??
To that Robert: check out "12 Angry Men"...Mr Stewart plays the role of the only juror that is NOT in a hurry to convict this kid. He holds his grounds, wins the rest over. Most certainly is not a "wuss". I think the other behavior, that of a gentleman, you are unfamilar with. Shame! Jimmy Stewart was class all the way!

Kurtz4818 Dec 25th 2010 9:10AM

The Roy Rogers Museum didn't close. It moved to Branson , MO.
If you can't get the people to come to you! Then go where the people are.
There are a lot of tourist that go to Branson every year.

RICHARD WIGGINTON Dec 25th 2010 9:35AM

Unlike the loud mouthed, elitist socialist Marxist morons of today's Hollywood, Jimmy Stewart was not only a great actor, he was also a great American. He was indeed a WW II bomber pilot, retiring with the rank of Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force Reserve. Many were the Hollywood folks who served, unlike now where the only service rendered is self service. Tyrone Power, Marine fighter pilot. Glen Ford, Navy Captain, Ed McMahon, fighter pilot, Colonel, USMCR retired. Johnny Carson, Navy Lieutenant. Neville Brand, U.S. Army, 4th highest decorated U.S. veteran. Audie Murphy, Numerou Uno. Jimmy Stewart served in good company. The pampered, preening miminally talented so called stars of today are not fit to walk the same path of their predecessors. There is a great difference between a walk of fame and a walk of shame.

todd Dec 25th 2010 10:04AM

Amen! Very well said.

SmackAGrinch Dec 25th 2010 11:18AM

Yes, lets turn a possible tragedy of a museum closing into a personal soapbox for your own political ramblings by wrapping them in cloak of legitimacy by including past military service of former Hollywood stars. Oh and don't hit me with "you should be thankful" BS, I am thankful and I agree the current stock of starlets have nothing on Stewart and the rest but this is not the place to ramble about your personal distaste with hollywood politics. Go tweet or blog about it and leave the comments for those discussing the article.

Denise Dec 25th 2010 12:04PM

Abso-freaking-lutely agree!

placavdad Dec 25th 2010 3:10PM

AMEN BRO. Tell it like it is...............!

mishkamice Dec 25th 2010 2:11PM

Richard, Thank You for all the information on Jimmie Stewart.I knew about most of his achievements but you really filled me in on more. Jimmie has always been my favorite. I met him once and what a gentleman.It's too bad that the young men of today can't take lessons from him.Thank you again and R.I.P. Jimmie

delumiere Dec 25th 2010 4:27PM

The WW II veterans, who later became actors, were outstanding as men in acting roles as they were as enlisted men while serving their country. They were mature, adult men long before becoming actors. They were believable on the screen because they projected the authenticity of character within. Jimmy Stewart was "what you see is what you get", he was decent, honest, forthright, fair and just; and this essence was captured on the screen. He was a friend and I will miss Jimmy and Gloria Stewart.

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