About the Gallery:
The James Dean Gallery was established in 1988 in the actor’s hometown and final resting place of Fairmount, Indiana. The original Gallery was housed in a beautifully restored 1905 Victorian home, located on tree-lined North Main Street in downtown Fairmount. The Gallery remained at that location for fifteen years and during that time over 60,000 people toured the seven room exhibit.
In May of 2004 the James Dean Gallery relocated to an all new 7,400 square foot facility conveniently located at the Gas City, Indiana, Exit #59 off of Interstate 69, just four miles north of the Fairmount exit.
The six room Museum exhibit is the private collection of James Dean archivist, David Loehr, who began collecting in 1974, and has since amassed the world's largest collection of James Dean Memorabilia
The exhibit chronicles Dean’s life growing up in Grant County, Indiana, his early years in New York and California, his rapid rise to stardom on the big screen, his untimely and tragic death and the subsequent rise to becoming an American Icon.
The Museum exhibit includes thousands of items including clothing he wore in the films, original artwork done by James Dean, personal items and dozens of original movie posters, books and magazines from over thirty different countries. A thirty five seat state-of-the-art theater continuously shows rare film clips, television appearances, and documentaries.
The research library and archive has been used by several authors and film-makers working on books and documentaries, and includes over 1,000 photographs, hundreds of books and magazines, and file cabinets full of clippings and information regarding James Dean from birth to death and beyond.
A fully stocked gift shop offers a fine selection of souvenirs and collectibles.
The James Dean Gallery gives visitors an opportunity to view many of the items which have helped to keep the memory of this famous Indiana native alive.
