What interests you most when thinking about a screen legend? The person behind the legend or the legend itself? There are two museums in Fairmount, Indiana that are dedicated to James Dean. I liked them both for different reasons.
The first I visited was the James Dean Gallery. Located in a grand old home that was built on Main Street by the local doctor, this place has lots of stuff that celebrates the celebrity of James Dean and that memorializes the larger than life celebrity.
It’s a large private collection in a compact space. A few things caught my eye including the personal effects of California Highway Patrolman Ron Nelson who was first on scene of the crash that killed Jimmy. They have his hat, badge and other items.
There’s this record store display.
And here’s something different. It’s the concrete from the gas pump island at the Sherman Oaks gas station where he gassed up for the last time.
A small theater shows a looping collection of clips from film and commercials.
There’s also a nice vintage store in the back with lots of glass and ceramics, records, books and more. The prices are reasonable and the merchandise is good quality.
Oh, and remember the front porch I showed you? It’s here!
I imagine that when James Dean fans are coming to town, this is what they’re celebrating – the man, the myth, the legend!
However, just down the street you’ll find the James Dean Museum. It’s part of the local history museum, also in an old house and also an enormous collection.
This collection is different because it is focused more on Jimmy Dean the small town boy rather than James Dean the icon. Here you’ll find some surprising things like a sweater with a cowboy embroidered on it that he wore as a toddler.
There’s a childhood train set and his basketball uniform. He was quite the artist and they have drawings as well as a self portrait bust that he created. There’s even a photo of him working on that bust.
You’ll find a set of small busts he carried when he traveled. They are of classical musicians- turns out the Rebel Without A Cause was a classical music aficionado.
They also have a number of pictures I had never seen before including one with his father when he was a young boy. There was something sad about that image like he was clinging to his dad. He was kind of an emotional handful but was much more intellectual, more artistic and more sensitive than meets the eye. Movie items, racing awards and other items depict his public life.
Here’s his first motorcycle and his letterman sweater.
Notice the top picture? He was a cat person!
They have several clothing pieces along with pictures of him wearing the items either on set or in real life. He carried bongo drums when he traveled and enjoyed bull fighting. This is his favorite drum.
They say you shouldn’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. Check out these boots.
This museum has all these items thanks to the generosity of Marcus Winslow, Jimmy’s cousin who he thought of as a little brother.
I was quite taken with all those personal items that paint a picture of the boy and the man behind the legend. Maybe I’m wrong but I imagine that most people traveling to Indiana to celebrate James Dean aren’t all that interested in his baby clothes and childhood toys. They’re probably probably interested in the motorcycles, the movie memorabilia and the gas pump concrete. All the same, I like that you can get the full picture of his story. Of course, I am always curious about how people become who they are.
Incidentally, they also have this picture of Marcus and Ortense Winslow, the aunt and uncle who raised him. They were a vital part of his story and I found this picture charming.
Both museums are worth a visit. If you go, let me know what you think! Find the James Dean Gallery here and the James Dean Museum here.
