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John Wayne: An American Experience celebrates its fifth anniversary during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
John Wayne: An American Experience is marking its fifth anniversary January 16 through February 7, 2026, during the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.
Since opening in 2021, the John Wayne museum in Fort Worth has become a cultural destination, preserving and interpreting the life, career, and legacy of John Wayne in a setting closely aligned with the values he represented on and off screen.
“The fifth anniversary represents far more than five years,” said Amy Shepherd, vice president of John Wayne Enterprises. “It reflects decades of careful preservation, maintaining the archive so John Wayne’s story could be shared in a museum setting. This moment honors both what exists today and the long-term stewardship that made it possible.”
A living museum rooted in storytelling
John Wayne: An American Experience is designed as a living museum, with exhibitions that evolve over time. Visitors can explore iconic film props and costumes from John Wayne’s most celebrated movies, move through the museum’s 10,000-square-foot gallery space, and engage with multimedia elements that place Wayne’s work within broader American cultural and historical contexts.
The museum also highlights John Wayne’s influence beyond film, including recorded works that reflect his lifelong interest in patriotism, American identity, and storytelling. Among these recorded works is America, Why I Love Her, the spoken word album that earned Wayne a Grammy nomination and underscored his enduring interest in American identity and storytelling.
Jillian Grupe, curator of John Wayne: An American Experience, said accessibility is central to the museum’s approach.
“Every curatorial decision starts with a simple question,” Grupe said. “What does this help us understand about John Wayne and the era he lived in?”
“I hope visitors leave with a deeper understanding of John Wayne, not just as an actor, but as a person who lived through major cultural and historical shifts in America,” she said.
Why the Fort Worth Stockyards matter
The museum’s location in the Fort Worth Stockyards is central to its identity and mission.
“The Stockyards reflect the values John Wayne stood for: grit, independence, respect for tradition, and a strong sense of place,” Shepherd said. “This isn’t a setting designed to feel Western. It is Western.”
For visitors attending the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the museum offers a complementary experience that connects Western heritage, film history, and American culture in a location that remains an active part of Fort Worth’s identity.
Anniversary programming and exclusive experiences
The fifth anniversary celebration includes special programming and limited-time offerings throughout the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Visitors can enjoy Wayne Family Estates wine tastings, weekly raffle giveaways, and the debut of the John Wayne Stock & Supply Fort Worth Collection, created exclusively for the museum and inspired by the enduring legacy of the American West and the Fort Worth Stockyards.
The Fort Worth Collection features apparel and everyday goods designed as functional keepsakes, including cotton bandanas, classic diner mugs, trucker hats, and comfortable hoodies created for everyday wear.
Anniversary programming also includes artist activations with renowned hat milliner Teressa Foglia and contemporary Western artist Ty Hays. While weather-related issues required their original live events to be postponed, their hats and artwork remain on display in the museum, with rescheduled artist appearances planned for March.
A milestone shaped by community
Shepherd emphasized that the museum’s growth and relevance are shaped by the people who support it.
“To our visitors, many of whom return year after year, you’ve helped shape what this museum has become,” she said. “Your curiosity and engagement are why it continues to grow and evolve. This fifth anniversary is as much yours as it is ours, and we’re grateful to celebrate it together in Fort Worth.”
To mark the anniversary, the museum is offering $5 off admission through February 7.
