James Dean museum to stay open for now

[exfasteddy]

Article on Yahoo page that the museum got some money to stay open for awhile. Anyone ever been there? I presume his grave is in the area?

[IndyJim]

I drive by the sign for it twice a year on the way to the 500 but have never stopped.

[rev-ed]

I haven't been to the one out by I-69, but I went through it when it was in an older-style house in Fairmount. Some decent stuff there. My brother-in-law is a JD freak and I'm sure he'd love it if he ever got there.

In the house there was a small (I'm talkin' 8 folding chairs) theatre showing old PSAs like the one he did about not driving fast!

The gravesite is in a cemetery just north of Fairmount. It's not hard to find, as there are plenty of signs up. The grave itself is just off one of the driveways, on top of a small hill. (or as much of a hill as there is in the cemetery.) When we stopped, there were a couple of other cars there. The tombstone is small -- rises maybe a foot off the ground -- and must constantly be replaced because people keep chipping pieces off the stone.

If you have any interest in James Dean, I'd recommend seeing the place, unless you have to drive much more than an hour to get there.

[Truth Detector]

They have a great car show during the James Dean Festival each year.

[athos1172]

Some links:

http://www.jamesdeanartifacts.com/index.php

http://www.jamesdeanartifacts.com/collections/james_dean/jd_festival.htm

[exfasteddy]

Thanks guys, it looks like the James Dean Festival might be worth hitting, nice time of year mid-September. I'm from north Chicago suburbs but usually find myself in Indiana 2-3 imes a year (besides the 500).

[Maynard111]

They have a great car show during the James Dean Festival each year.

Best free car show you will ever see.

The museum should not have been moved the out of Fairmount. (IMO)

[badart]

They have a great car show during the James Dean Festival each year.

I know, it seemingly falls on the 4-Crown weekend in Eldora every year and it is right on our way. This year my father and I finally got wise and detoured around Fairmount. BTW, did anyone go to the ill-fated James Dean Fest (or whatever the name was) at the Marion Airport this past summer???

[Maynard111]

I know, it seemingly falls on the 4-Crown weekend in Eldora every year and it is right on our way. This year my father and I finally got wise and detoured around Fairmount. BTW, did anyone go to the ill-fated James Dean Fest (or whatever the name was) at the Marion Airport this past summer???

Even without the stormy weather there was no way the operators were going to recover expenses. Someone seemed to overestimate the willingness of the locals to spend a great deal of money for admission. $25.00/head just to get in.(IIRC) Then it got expensive once you got in. Many turned around at the gate I was told.