Come See Us!
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Fairmount Historical Museum
203 E Washington Street PO Box 92 Fairmount, IN 46928 765-948-4555 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Other times by appointment. Holiday schedules may vary, so please call before you travel. Admission: $5 suggested donation. Guests age 17 and under visit free with a paying adult. Follow updates on Facebook and Instagram. Browse gifts anytime in the online shop. |
Street parking is available near the Patterson House museum campus. Allow at least an hour for a relaxed walk through the Dean, Davis, and town history galleries. Group tours or school visits can be arranged when you email or call ahead. For festival schedules and downtown activities, open the Remembering James Dean Festival page.
Museum History
In 1923 a Quaker educational organization called the Fairmount Academy closed its doors. In 1969 Fairmount High School did likewise. Graduates of both schools went on to shape American life as college presidents, writers, lawyers, scientists, doctors, actors, farmers, artists, and teachers with national and international reputations. When alumni returned to Fairmount, they often asked to walk their old hallways again. The same question kept surfacing: where were the class pictures, trophies, and awards? School leaders had preserved those materials, and residents agreed the town needed one permanent place to care for them.
The museum committee first met on January 19, 1975. Fairmount Historical Museum, Inc. incorporated on February 23, 1975, opening above the Western Auto Store at 113 1/2 South Main Street. Charter memberships and memorial gifts funded utilities and remodeling of the former Hockett Studio rooms.
The public dedication followed on Sunday, September 21, 1975. In 1977 the board purchased the J.W. Patterson property at 203 East Washington Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 14, 1979. Exhibits moved into the Patterson House on September 5, 1983, where they remain today.
Alongside town, school, and family artifacts, the galleries showcase James Dean memorabilia on loan from his family, including awards, clothing, motorcycles, and film-related pieces. A separate display honors Fairmount cartoonist Jim Davis and Garfield.
Since 1975 volunteers have presented Fairmount Museum Days during the Remembering James Dean Festival. The three-day weekend, traditionally the last full weekend in September, celebrates hometown icons through concerts, look-alike contests, film screenings, and a major car show. Current schedules appear on the festival information page.
The museum committee first met on January 19, 1975. Fairmount Historical Museum, Inc. incorporated on February 23, 1975, opening above the Western Auto Store at 113 1/2 South Main Street. Charter memberships and memorial gifts funded utilities and remodeling of the former Hockett Studio rooms.
The public dedication followed on Sunday, September 21, 1975. In 1977 the board purchased the J.W. Patterson property at 203 East Washington Street, listed on the National Register of Historic Places on November 14, 1979. Exhibits moved into the Patterson House on September 5, 1983, where they remain today.
Alongside town, school, and family artifacts, the galleries showcase James Dean memorabilia on loan from his family, including awards, clothing, motorcycles, and film-related pieces. A separate display honors Fairmount cartoonist Jim Davis and Garfield.
Since 1975 volunteers have presented Fairmount Museum Days during the Remembering James Dean Festival. The three-day weekend, traditionally the last full weekend in September, celebrates hometown icons through concerts, look-alike contests, film screenings, and a major car show. Current schedules appear on the festival information page.