The John Wayne Birthplace Society is planning several events for May 25th to the 27th in Winterset to honor the 100th anniversary of actor’s birth. Wayne’s famous cowboy image is copyrighted and owned by his children, but society chair David Trask says that hasn’t been a problem for them.
Trask says the society has had a very good relationship with Wayne Enterprises since the group acquired the house in 1980. In 1982 son Michael Wayne came back for the dedication, in 1983 Trask says all three of Wayne’s sons came back and they unveiled a commemorative firearm. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan visited, and Wayne’s daughters were on hand to greet him. Winterset renamed a street John Wayne Drive in 1986. Trask says Wayne Enterprises tightened up the use of Wayne’s image in 2003 to make things more uniform.
Trask says that gives them a logo that now matches those used for other organizations involving Wayne, including Wayne Enterprises, The John Wayne Cancer Foundation and the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Trask says the society has a licensing arrangement with them. He says the family has been very willing to work with the John Wayne Birthplace Society.
Trask says they’ve been very generous in going to suppliers and creating special souvenirs to sell at the gift shops and giving the society price breaks on buying those souvenirs. The society holds tours of the Wayne home and is planning a new museum as part of the centennial celebration. Wayne was born May 26, 1907.