The Jimmy Stewart Museum
835 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701
(724) 349-6112
Open: Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm/Monday-Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm
Admission: Adults $12.00/Seniors $11.00/Children 7-17 $9.00/Children Under 7 and members Free
My review on TripAdvisor:
The historic marker in front of the museum.
The entrance to the museum.
The Jimmy Stewart Museum is part of the Indiana Library. The museum is located on the second floor of the building.
The entrance to the museum:
The museum is a chronological story of not just Jimmy Stewart’s life and legacy but the contributions of his family going back almost five generations on both sides of his family.
The Stewart family on both his mother and father’s sides have been part of this part of Pennsylvania since the area was opened up during colonial times.
The Indiana Gallery:
The Indiana Gallery highlights the history of Jimmy Stewart’s hometown, Indiana, Pennsylvania along with Stewart’s early ancestors, a look at his early childhood, and his schooling through Princeton University. Highlights include a recreation of Stewart’s father Alex’s local hardware store, Jimmy’s Princeton jacket, and a life-size replica of the Jimmy Stewart statue (Museum website).
Both sides of the family participated in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Mexican-American conflict and WWI and WWII including Jimmy Stewart’s contribution as a Navy pilot. His father and grandfather had been part of the business community owning a hardware business that spanned three generations until it closed in the 1960’s.
The family’s contribution to the Indiana business community was well noted. The Stewart’s “Big Warehouse” hardware store was prominent in Indiana for many years.
Jimmy Stewart’s Bedroom:
This gallery is a recreation of Jimmy’s boyhood bedroom from his home in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Jimmy’s boyhood bed is showcased along with family photos and his history with the Boy Scout of America. Another feature highlights Jimmy’s childhood hero, Charles Lindbergh, and his historic flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Highlights include his childhood bed, the Silver Buffalo Award from the BSA and an original painting of his childhood home (from the Museum website).
Jimmy Stewart’s boyhood bedroom.
The story of Jimmy Stewart starts here with his grandparents on both sides and their shaping of his future life. The museum continues with his life at Princeton University after his schooling in high school in Indiana, PA.
Jimmy Stewart’s college and post graduate years.
His Military Career:
The Military Gallery shines a light on the history of aviation and Jimmy’s early interest in flying. It continues with Stewart’s enlistment in WWII and showcases his highly decorated military career. There is also a special tribute to Stewart’s stepson who died in Vietnam. Highlights include 4 of his military uniforms, his military medals (including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Croix de Guerre)(The Museum website).
Jimmy Stewart continued the long line of military service his family had served since the Revolutionary War and his step-son continued until his death in Vietnam.
The Military Gallery with many of Jimmy Stewart’s uniforms and awards and accolades.
Jimmy Stewart’s WWII uniforms
Awards and Military films that he was in plus pictures of his time in the armed forces.
The Hollywood Gallery:
The Hollywood Gallery wraps around our theatre and takes you through Stewart’s film career of over 80 films (1935-1991). Original movie posters, still pictures, costumes, props, movie summaries, and stories behind the scenes take you on a journey through the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond. We shine the light on Stewarts’ collaborations with Frank Capra, Alfred Hitchcock, and westerns with Anthony Mann. The exhibit wraps up with a section featuring Stewart’s awards and accolades. Highlights include a western uniform and rifle from Winchester ’73, Stewart’s cowboy hat he wore in most of his westerns, the hat he wore in the movie Harvey and a plane propeller signed by the cast of Flight of the Phoenix and much more! (From the Museum website).
I had read on one of the signs that his family was not too sure what the Academy Award was and asked him to send it home so that he could display it in the store window which he promptly did. It was nice to see that he was humble enough to share this win with the community.
His booth at Chazen’s where he courted his wife and they frequently went to dinner.
The gallery of much deserved awards and accolades.
Movie posters of all of his films.
His Academy Award that he presented to his father who put it proudly in the family business window.
The display on the movie “Harvey”.
Jimmy Stewart’s Office in California:
This gallery is a recreation of Jimmy Stewart’s office from his home in California. It includes Jimmy Stewart’s desk, grandfather clock, his tweed hat, office memorabilia, and family photos. Highlights include letters from Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton, a personal letter from Frank Capra and his Autopen machine (from the Museum website).
Recreation of Jimmy Stewart’s office in California.
In the middle of the museum is a movie theater showing Mr. Stewart’s films during the day. When I was there they were showing “Dear Brigette”:
It was a fun film.
The Movie Theater:
The museum has a 50-seat vintage theater that shows a matinee movie every day at 1:00 pm. The movie that’s shown changes each week and showcases the over 80 films that Jimmy Stewart starred in. More classic movie posters adorn the walls of the theater and Jimmy Stewart biographies are available to be viewed upon request. Highlights include the screening of It’s A Wonderful Life from mid-November through December and the showing of all 4 Alfred Hitchcock/Jimmy Stewart films throughout the month of October (from the Museum website).
The museum is a tribute not just to a movie star but to someone who lived a life well lived. Jimmy Stewart’s contributions were more than just movies. It was a citizen who got involved and tried to make things better. The museum takes us through his world. It may have not been perfect but it was a life that many of us would like to live.
It gives a glimpse into his world.
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