"John Wayne: An American Experience Exhibit"
johnwayneexhibit
The "John Wayne: An American Experience" at the Fort Worth Stockyards
Beginning with his breakout role as Breck Coleman in "The Big Trail," John Wayne quickly grew into an American icon.
In commemoration of the life and legacy of the late actor, the Fort Worth Stockyards recently debuted a new, permanent exhibit titled “John Wayne: An American Experience" at 2501 Rodeo Plaza, next to Cowtown Coliseum.
The dedication of the museum is scheduled for Wednesday, a day which will henceforth be known as John Wayne Day across the city.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” John Wayne’s youngest daughter, Marisa Wayne, says. “We always celebrate that day because it's his birthday, but it makes it even more special to be here now that the experience is open.”
Friends, family, and some of the Fort Worth’s more notable figures, including Mayor Betsy Price, are invited to attend Wednesday’s proclamation.
Beginning at noon and revolving around the daily cattle drive, guests will hear a speech delivered by John Wayne’s son, Ethan Wayne, experience a mock gunfight, and taste the new Duke Tequila before venturing over to Hotel Dover for a VIP reception.
“He had such a love in his heart for the people of Texas and this great state, and it’s really cool we are able to come back here and celebrate him not just every year but every day," Marisa Wayne says.
“John Wayne: An American Experience” began as a pop-up exhibit but, by pressure from founder and president of the Cowboy Channel Patrick Gottsch, ultimately became a permanent fixture in the heart of the Stockyards.
“He said, 'You have to come to Fort Worth. It’s a perfect fit, and people will love it,'” Marisa Wayne says.
"John Wayne: An American Experience Exhibit"
The exhibit features costumes, props, and other memorabilia from the iconic Western actor.
The exhibit extends over 10,000 square feet and brings guests on an interactive tour through the life of The Duke. Walking in, guests are exposed to never-before-seen family photographs and correspondences, including letters to fans, celebrities, presidents, and others.
“Through these letters, you can see his sense of humor and true love of country,” Marisa Wayne says.
The exhibit features many galleries, including “Life of Screen,” which illuminates John Wayne’s prolific film repertoire through displaying his more iconic film props and costumes, as well as “America, Why I Love Her,” showcasing his Grammy-nominated original poems.
After exploring the exhibit, guests are invited to peruse a 2,000-square-foot retail space where they can find an array of apparel, books, drinkware, fine Western photography, leather goods, and other accessories.
And the tour wouldn’t be complete without sitting down to enjoy a Duke Bourbon or John Wayne Cabernet in the lounge.
Perhaps one of The Duke’s greatest legacies was the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, which was founded by his family in his name shortly after his death by cancer.
“His dying wish was that we use his name to help individuals diagnosed with cancer,” Marisa Wayne says. “He didn’t want to see people suffer and go through what he and his family had gone through ... He was an actor by profession but really lived the life he portrayed in movies as far as family values, morals, and love of God, country and family."
