fairmount historical museum

Enjoyed our visit to Fairmount Historical Museum. Living in nearby Fort Wayne we've attended the James Dean Festival a few times, visited his burial site and knew some of the history of Fairmount. What we didn't realize is that Jim Davis, creator of the much loved cartoon character, Garfield, was also from Fairmount! So, when my dad (a long time Garfield fan!) came from Chicago to visit us for a week this past August, we knew that a trip to this museum was in order. Turns out he thought James Dean was kinda cool to!!! :) Much thanks to the couple that run the museum. They close at 5p during the week and even though we arrived at 4:30p they let us take our time thru the entire exhibit. The tour was very informative and I love the fact that James Dean was an artist! Learn something new everyday!!Michelle BeardFort Wayne, IN

Just off the Main Street, at the bank corner in Fairmount, you will find the Historical Museum. They put on the Fall Festival for many years and finally decided to call it the James Dean Festival, as everyone outside Fairmount called it that. Dean's cousin Marcus Winslow has generously donated many items to this museum. You won't see them anywhere else, so you must stop by. The gift shop is fine! Donations are welcomed. They are open in good weather, but the volunteers are aging a bit (as are we all) and keep it closed in bad weather. Check the web page to be sure, if it isn't summer. Anne Warr is retired from here and Jane Bauer too, in case you know of them. This is no tourist trap, folks! Enjoy seeing what no one else in the world has, and enjoy this fine little town.

The only place worth seeing in Fairmount when it comes to James Dean or any thing else like that! Great!!!

Indeed, James Dean brought cool to the movie screen. It's amazing to me that almost 60 years have past since his death and people still come from all over the U.S.A. and world to learn more about this movie icon. To me the photo's of his days in High School are the most interesting and also items that were owned by James Dean. Yes, it is a small museum but you will leave knowing a lot more than you expected. In a word it's, COOL!

If you're a James Dean or Jim Davis fan this is a must see! A huge collection of some of the rarest items that exist. The ladies at the Museum are very knowledgeable about all thing Dean and seem to enjoy sharing some pretty amazing memories they have of these two Iconic Hoosiers. My 10 year old niece and her friend were to write a paper in school about James and Jim and came away with a wealth of knowledge and received A's on their papers.

You probably guessed who the two names i'm referring to James Dean and Jim Davis the Creator of Garfield yes that Fat Lazy Cynical Orange Cat.... Ill admit when i first walked into the museum there wasn't a whole lot to see.... However the docents that were there tried their very best to bring alive the history and life story of James Dean and city of Fairmount Indiana... There is lots of pictures of James and letters, awards, two of his motorcycles and countless stories on the famous "Rebel"... Then in a little room one side of the building is the quick life story of Jim Davis and his creation known as Garfield (the whole reason i went to this museum) on the walls of this room are pictures of Jim Davis and the inspirations behind some of Jim's characters such as Jon's mom, dad and brother are all based off from Jim's real life family. There are some comic strips from before Garfield's creation when Jim worked on the Tumbleweeds and Gnorm the Gnat... there are allot of Garfield things inside the room including Plush, pictures, and other things Garfield's mug was applied to.... Although the docents were busy talking to the other patrons... i got the tour of the Garfield room by myself.... If your big into Garfield such as myself they offer a map of Statues of Garfield's as different characters in the surrounding towns of Fairmount. There is one outside the museum of Garfield in James Dean style outfit paying tribute to James.... hours are M-Sa 10-5, Sun 12-5.... there was no fee but there is a Donation box provided

It is pretty small with not much to see or do. Long drive and not much else to see.

the bike duH!well when i went i had so muh fun but i got really thirsty so i think that they should have nice free refreshmant and cookies! NOW that would want people to really go

It has a very small town friendly feel to it. They have a James Dean room and Garfield is from Fairmount too. It is an interesting place to visit.

Fairmount is not centrally located. You have to go out of your way to get there but if you have an interest in James Dean then the Fairmount Historical Museum is the place to visit. Fairmount is 5 miles off of I-69. The closest large city is Indianapolis to the southwest. Fort Wayne is to the north. The town is small and sits in the middle of farmland. The museum is in a Victorian-era house with the James Dean collection taking up most of the first floor. There are items from his childhood, from his school days and from time in Hollywood. There are fan tributes from around the world. You can wander around the rooms on your own or be taken on a tour by a knowledgeable docent. Fairmount is also the home town of Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield. There is a room dedicated to him and his works. The museum's second floor is dedicated more to the history of the town. There is no fee for admission and there is a gift shop filled mostly with James Dean items. The town holds an annual festival in September celebrating the history of the town. Dean fans should pick up the map with directions to his gravesite and family home, just down the road from town.

That is all I can say FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is the best for ALL James Dean fans. The items that I only saw in books came to life before my eyes that teared up, for a felt so much closer to the brightest star.I'll be back for sure..A+++++++++++++++++++

En découvrant ce lieu, j'ai d'abord eu l'honneur de découvrir que les personnes qui tiennent le musée sont très accueillantes et très gentilles, puis en visitant le musée, j'ai eu les frissons. Tout ce qui est dans ce musée est véridique. Tout a appartenu à James Dean. A voir absolument pour les fans