Visiting the Lucy Desi Museum in Jamestown, New York

One of the greatest gifts to mankind is laughter, and one of the greatest gifts to laughter is Lucille Ball. God has her now but thanks to television, we’ll have her forever.”

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Perhaps no other person in history has captured the love of the world as Lucille Ball. Her face is said to have been seen by more people than any other. The TV show that she and Desi Arnaz created has been voted the best show of all time (according to a poll taken by ABC News in 2012), winning five Emmy’s and numerous awards, inventing reruns, and changing the way that TV functioned in the home.

This woman came from a small town in the Lake Chautauqua region of New York State; yet, no matter how successful she became she always considered this place her home and visited frequently. The town is very proud of their most famous resident, and they honor her and Desi in many charming ways.

Come along with me to Jamestown to celebrate America’s First Couple of Comedy…Lucy and Desi Arnaz!

I am so glad the idea for this post came to me not long ago, for it perfectly coincides with “I Love Lucy Day” (yes, it’s a thing)! On October 15, 1951, ‘Lucy’ aired its first episode, and the world indefinitely became a better place.

Here’s to Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred! Happy 68th Anniversary!

Desilu Studios

Right in the center of town are two adjacent museums dedicated to these two talented entertainers and their artistic achievements. Desilu Studios is all about I Love Lucy. Inside you’ll see original costumes, props, re-created sets, Emmy awards, and lots of other goodies that you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll learn the history behind the show: it’s inception, creators, and the filming/editing machine that changed TV forever – the “three headed monster.” (Don’t worry, he doesn’t bite. I visited him on display.)

A delightful surprise to see on display was the door that served as the entrance to Studio A at CBS Columbia Square Studios, located on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Many celebrities from yesteryear used the door in making their appearance on radio shows and later, on television. In addition, Lucy and Desi used Studio A to produce the pilot for I Love Lucy.

The list below is only a partial list of Hollywood greats who have used the door. Touching the handle was the closest I’ve been to so many stars at one time! Admittedly, I felt like Lucy when she’s out “hunting” for movie stars at the Brown Derby and she says, “I have a feeling we’ve run into a whole nest of them!”

(Note that William Holden is on the list, but he probably wasn’t covered in pie…yet.)

Lucy Desi Museum

The Lucy Desi Museum takes you through the personal story of these two legends. We learn about their hometown roots, how they got into show business, their movie/stage careers, how they met, and their life together as a family.

I really enjoyed seeing this side of the museum. It is loaded with personal items and correspondence, photographs, costumes, and beautiful works of art.

I loved reading Lucie Arnaz reflect on the time her dad painted a picture for her when she was sick. The happiness that the Arnaz family shared could also be felt when viewing a portrait of Lucy kissing her cow, The Duchess of Devonshire. Simple, everyday, priceless moments.

Desi’s chair from his office at Desilu Studios can be seen at far right, as well as the picture of Lucy that hung on the wall beside it.

Murals

Lucy is ever present in Jamestown, even on the sides of buildings! These gorgeous murals were painted by the father and son team, Gary Peters and Gary Peters, Jr. The “California, Here We Come” (top left) mural holds the distinction of being the largest I Love Lucy mural in the world, spanning 1800 square feet.

Read more about Gary Peters and his process of painting these amazing murals in this great article.

I missed the fifth mural on my visit, but it’s on my list for the next time I return!

• Check out the official website of the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum here.

• Click here for Part 2 of my trip to Jamestown where I see more sites related to the fabulous Lucille Ball!

How are you celebrating “I Love Lucy Day”? Let me know with a comment below and be sure to share your favorite episode!

Thanks for reading and for visiting The Classic Movie Muse!