{"id":618762,"date":"2026-02-27T01:11:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T01:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/618762\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T01:11:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T01:11:19","slug":"how-john-wayne-museum-enshrines-the-dukes-legacy-at-fort-worth-stockyards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/618762\/","title":{"rendered":"How John Wayne museum enshrines the Duke\u2019s legacy at Fort Worth Stockyards"},"content":{"rendered":"

by David Moreno, Fort Worth Report
February 26, 2026<\/p>\n

Ethan Wayne, 63, spent his childhood rummaging through boxes of his father\u2019s personal items and mementos \u2014 old photos and letters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Legendary actor John Wayne \u2014 \u201cthe Duke\u201d \u2014 was known for his Westerns and war movies during the Golden Age of Cinema. He died at 72 in 1979.<\/p>\n

His belongings offered a glimpse into a decadeslong career as a cultural icon in Hollywood, Ethan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now, those personal items are on display at the Fort Worth Stockyards. For five years, the Wayne family has offered fans a rare glimpse into the Duke\u2019s early life and how his career inspired generations at the John Wayne: An American Experience<\/a> museum.<\/p>\n

The 14,000-square-foot exhibit space features various costumes from Wayne\u2019s career, film scripts, a firearm collection and his 1970 Academy Award for Best Actor<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides being a beautiful presentation, the museum gives people a chance to get closer to the person who maybe helped them make a better decision in life or guided them through difficult times in their life,\u201d said Ethan, who serves as president of John Wayne Enterprises.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dena Newell, director of marketing at the Stockyards Heritage Development Co., said the museum added a \u201crich cultural layer\u201d to the district\u2019s Western heritage and complements its historic character.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIts presence has contributed to increased visitation, longer guest stays, and a deeper appreciation for the history and values that define this destination,\u201d she said in a statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you go<\/p>\n

What: <\/strong>John Wayne: An American Experience<\/p>\n

When: <\/strong>9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily\u00a0<\/p>\n

Where: <\/strong>2501 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth\u00a0<\/p>\n

Admission: <\/strong>$17.95-$22.95<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Before Wayne\u2019s death in 1979, the actor who was born Marion Robert Morrison distributed some of his memorabilia to close friends and crew members. His estate, John Wayne Enterprises, spent several decades selling some items<\/a> to fans, museums and charity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In recent years, family members came to an agreement that the remaining belongings in their possession should be displayed to the public, Ethan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs time has passed, these items have become more and more important,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2019, the Wayne estate launched its first exhibition of the Duke\u2019s memorabilia<\/a> with \u201cJohn Wayne: Spirit of the West,\u201d in Las Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But, how did the Duke\u2019s personal items make their way to Fort Worth?<\/p>\n

Members of John Wayne Enterprises visited Cowtown on invitation from developers at the Fort Worth Stockyards in early 2020. The family instantly felt it was the perfect location to build a museum because of its gateway to Western culture, Ethan said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The John Wayne museum opened at 2501 Rodeo Plaza in December of that year in a 10,500-square-foot space.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The museum added 3,500 feet in 2024 to expand its special exhibitions and gift shop<\/a>, which allowed it to accommodate more guests. John Wayne Enterprises declined to share annual attendance numbers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Glimpse into the Duke\u2019s life<\/strong>
\n\"\"A wall inside the John Wayne museum shows the entire Wayne family posed for their Christmas card photo in Newport Beach, California, circa 1965. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n

The John Wayne museum\u2019s lighting spotlights hundreds of the Duke\u2019s belongings seen by guests immediately upon entry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The first section of the exhibition features Wayne\u2019s early life in Iowa before his family relocated to Glendale, California. Items displayed include a 1925 yearbook from Glendale High School and photos of Wayne as a teenager.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt narrates his humble beginnings,\u201d museum director Amy Shepherd said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The next room features floor-to-ceiling images of Wayne and a screen that displays multiple videos referencing what Shepherd called the Duke\u2019s \u201ccelebrity status,\u201d including Lady Gaga\u2019s 2016 song named after the actor.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Among the most popular of the museum\u2019s displays is a space filled with sample scripts and corresponding references to some of the Duke\u2019s most famous films, including \u201cTrue Grit\u201d and \u201cThe Big Trail.\u201d More than 10 costumes line up on mannequins along the back wall of the exhibition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Costumes worn by John Wayne in several of his Western films are on display at the Fort Worth museum on Feb. 3, 2026. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)
\n\"\"John Wayne\u2019s 1970 Academy Award for Best Actor is displayed in a glass case at the Fort Worth museum. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)<\/p>\n

The final rooms in the museum explore Wayne\u2019s life beyond film, with a focus on his philanthropic work, firm conservative values and association with the Republican Party.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite his political views, Wayne \u201cviewed himself first as an American, who was most interested in the country\u2019s welfare,\u201d according to a museum label.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Duke\u2019s career faced controversy over the years. Wayne came under scrutiny six years ago when a 1971 interview with Playboy magazine resurfaced<\/a> in which he expressed derogatory views of Black Americans, Native Americans and films with gay characters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ethan told CNN in 2019<\/a> that his father\u2019s words in the interview were taken out of context.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For John Wayne Enterprises, the focus is illuminating the accomplishments Wayne achieved throughout his lifetime. The final section of the museum spotlights a foundation with his name<\/a> that was established in 1985 to honor the actor\u2019s wish to fight cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are artifacts from my life and my childhood with my father,\u201d Ethan said. \u201cTo see them respected and displayed in a proper way is very satisfying.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"The end of the John Wayne exhibition features sacks filled with letters sent by fans when the Duke died in 1979. The mail remains unopened, said museum director Amy Shepherd. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report)
\nMuseum\u2019s place in Stockyards expansion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Every time the Wayne family members walk through the museum space, Ethan said they can\u2019t help but smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One of the biggest gifts is seeing longtime fans and new generations learn more about the Duke\u2019s legacy, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, officials with John Wayne Enterprises said they\u2019re optimistic about the museum\u2019s growth, especially as the Stockyards undergoes a $630 million expansion<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re on this beautiful street right next to the (Cowtown) Coliseum,\u201d Ethan said. \u201cAs we work to bring more amenities to the area, I think we\u2019ll continue to see (numbers of) visitors go up, and that\u2019ll help us stay here and share John Wayne.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or @davidmreports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Fort Worth Report\u2019s arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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