Loved my visit to the James Dean Gallery - wish I'd had more than an hour to peruse this largest collection of James Dean memorobilia in one place! Movie posters (for viewing and for sale), photographs, report cards, high school play playbills, and just tons of other stuff! Some great T-shirts I haven't seen anywhere else and all sorts of souveniers for purchase - and the prices were great. They have just tons of stuff to look at, read, take in. Very freindly man who was running the place when we dropped in - friendly and super helpful with directions to other notable places: where James Dean bought his first motorcycle, his gravesite, church he attended while growing up, etc. In the very back of the gallery is a room with other "classic" stuff you can spend time looking at and all of it was for purchase as well. Even if you're just passing through Indiana, it's worth taking this 6 mile detour and stepping into the past to remember a forever young legend - the original rebel - James Dean.
If you have a little time and enjoy museums, you would enjoy looking around and the owner will tell you about his life. While his life got cut short at 24 and died in 1955. It did make a few movies. While I was 3 when he died, it was interesting to see and hear about his life. There's also a gift shop in the back. Nice way to enjoy a Saturday.
While visiting James Dean's hometown of Fairmount, IN, it was a 'must see' to visit the James Dean Gallery. It has lots of cool James Dean items and a great gift shop with all types of James Dean items. The staff was welcoming, friendly and offered lots of good James Dean information during our Fairmount visit. A+
I've been one of the Gallery family since the 1990s. David Loehr and Lenny Prussack are the most welcoming hosts you ever met. Regular visitors come for breakfasts, picnics and holiday events. The collection has changed locations (in part) from time to time, but it is all back in Fairmount now. Watch rare video clips in the viewing room, learn about many of the people who are noted for their connection to James Dean, find a unique gift, and sit at the big table to read more about Jimmy. They have an available restroom, no small find in this tiny town. There is a new Subway out on the highway and the usual fun meals at the filling station. Take the exit from I-69, now called exit 255 instead of 55, and treat yourself to the mind-expanding concept of a young man who followed his Hollywood dream.
This really is a magical place that hearkens back to the simpler times and gives great insight into what life was like in a place where time seems to stand still. Hospitality at the gallery is second to none!
The proprietors, David and Lenny, are the warmest, most knowledgeable hosts... The James Dean exhibit is powerful and obviously put together with great care and compassion... The adjoining retail space "Rebel Rebel" is a wonderland of fun... plan on spending a good amount of time there...
Got there just as it was opening for the day. It was a great tour. The proprietors are so knowledgeable. It was so nice to remember life in the simpler times. So glad I decided to stop.
Fairmount Indiana is a little out of the way but the James Dean Gallery is a MUST SEE for cinema buffs especially. The road trip from Chicago actually gives you a nice perspective on what a "small town kid" James Dean was. The town is practically unchanged, almost "Mayberry". The people at the Gallery are welcoming and enthusiastic fans of all movies but of course James Dean especially. You will love your time at this special place!
Wonderful collection of memorabilia and more importantly an owner who is so informative and enlightening. His passion and interest in the James Dean phenomena is catching. We took a couple of grandchildren who had no clue as to who James Dean was. The kids are 10 and 14 and an expected degree of boredom was present but being from Indiana it's a part of their State's heritage as well as America's. Someday it will make more sense to them.As adults we found it fun to browse through all the items on display and then to so see other sites in Fairmount. The gallery provides an easy to read map of other key spots. Take time to stop in!
Drove into Fairmount on a pretty Sunday and it is like going back in time. Very quiet almost deserted town on a Sunday. But it gave me a wierd feeling I cant describe knowing that James Dean came from such a small town and skyrocketed to fame. The museum was great and then riding by his old house and cemetery was very cool.