Brazil
Antarctica
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
Greenland
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Museum · Winterset, Iowa
John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
The four-room house where actor John Wayne was born in 1907, and the museum next door with costumes, scripts, posters and the actor’s car.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
John Wayne was born in Winterset on May 26, 1907, named Marion Robert Morrison, in a small white wooden house one block from the square. The family moved a few years later, but the house was purchased and restored to its 1907 appearance, with four rooms and period furniture.
Next door, the museum houses one of the largest collections about the actor: western film costumes, scripts, contracts, letters, posters and works of art, plus the green Pontiac pickup with the raised roof that allowed him to drive wearing his hat. A small theater room shows film clips.
The museum is open daily from March through November, with reduced hours in winter when the birthplace is closed to visitors. In May, near the actor’s birthday, the town holds a celebration with events around the museum.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to one-and-a-half hours.
Best time
From March to November, when the birthplace is open; in May for the actor’s birthday celebration.
How to get there
It’s on John Wayne Drive, one block from Winterset’s courthouse square.
Tip
Combine it with the covered bridges on the same day: the town is the starting point for the route.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about John Wayne Birthplace & Museum
Where was John Wayne born?
In Winterset, Iowa, in 1907, in a four-room house that is now a museum.
Is John Wayne’s birthplace open year-round?
The house is open from March through November; in December, January and February only the museum receives visitors, with reduced hours.
What’s in the John Wayne museum?
Costumes, scripts, contracts, letters, posters and the actor’s pickup, plus a small theater room.