The Jimmy Stewart Museum

When the town of Indiana, Pennsylvania approached actor James Stewart about creating a museum in his honor, they found an unwilling star. Stewart didn’t think his hometown should have a monument to him. Stewart finally caved when he was told that the museum could create a boost in community-benefiting tourism. He agreed on one condition: that no new structure would be built for the purpose. The third floor of the Indiana Free Library was chosen as the location for The Jimmy Stewart Museum, and there it stands to this day! 

The museum is full of Jimmy Stewart artifacts, from movie posters and personal photos, to his favorite cowboy hat, worn in multiple westerns. There is also an abundance of fan-made art on display, and a small theater that shows Stewart’s films daily. 

The surrounding area of the quaint college town also displays pride for the local hero, including a statue of James Maitland Stewart himself, and even a crosswalk that uses Stewart’s voice to guide people across the street. A charming nod to one of the biggest, yet humblest, stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood, located just over an hour from Pittsburgh.