The Jimmy Stewart Museum - Indiana, PA - America's Hometown Hero

The Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pa is a museum dedicated to preserving, highlighting, and displaying the accomplishments of James M. Stewart. James Stewart (1908 - 1997) was born in Indiana, PA where his father owned and operated a hardware store. Stewart began a film career in 1935 and appeared in over 92 movies and TV shows. He served in the military between 1948 and 1968, retiring as a Brigadier General. Stewart also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Indiana, PA rests halfway between Pittsburgh and Altoona, PA. The Museum is located at the intersection of 9th & Philadelphia Streets in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The Museum proper is on the Third Floor of the Indiana Free Library Building, the public library. The library is across the street from where Stewart's father's hardware store stood. The Museum's hours are: Monday through Saturday 10am - 5pm, and 12-5pm on Sundays and holidays. The Museum is not open on these holidays: Christmas, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, July 4th, Labor Day,and Thanksgiving. There is no admission charge for members. Non-members admission fees are: $7 for adults, $6 seniors/military/college students, $5 children 7-17, and children under 7 are free.

The Museum is a non-profit organization as well as a member of the American Association of Museums. Membership is available in a number of tiers. A single adult membership is $35 for one year while the family membership is $50 and includes spouse and children under 18. Membership benefits include unlimited free admission, a 10% discount on Museum store goods, and an 11''x17'' reproduction poster of "Harvey.'' The Museum accepts monetary donations as well as donations to their collection.

The Museum has a vintage-styled 50-seat theatre in which visitors can view Stewart's movies. The sound and projection system was donated by Universal Studies of Hollywood. Saturdays and Sundays the theatre runs matinee showings of Stewart's films at 2pm. The Museum also has several rooms dedicated to different periods in Stewart's life. One room is dedicated to his youth and family and displays photographs and memorabilia including baby photos of Stewart and his father's desk from the hardware store. Another room is the education room wherein students can learn about good citizenship values. The Museum can provide activity sheets for grades K-12 to enhance the learning experience.

Altogether, seven galleries celebrate Stewart's life and accomplishments. At first, Stewart was bashful about having a Museum in his honor, but came around to favor the idea. He then personally selected some of the memorabilia that is on display at the Museum.

In 2003 the Museum collaborated with the Boy Scouts of America to award the first James Stewart Citizenship Award. Stewart had been a supporter of scouting and in his honor the Museum offers a program to interested Scout programs. In order to earn the award, Scouts are complete the Jimmy Stewart Museum quiz, write an essay 500+ words, and do a good citizenship project. A workbook is available through the Museum for $6 (includes shipping) to begin the Scouts on this badge-earning quest.

Group tours are available when reserved ahead of time; requiring contract and deposit. The Museum also can accommodate group events for 125-people, which can include a hosted tour of the Museum, meeting Stewart impersonator Chris Collins, and even a walking tour of sites in Indiana, PA. Contacting the Museum can be done via phone 724-349-6112 or toll-free at 800-83-JIMMY.