Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Lucille Ball’s hometown, Jamestown, New York. This older city boasts of their Lucy heritage. Upon entering Jamestown, huge murals of Lucy are painted on some downtown buildings. The United States Post Office displays a giant postage stamp with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on the stamp. The famous “Vitameatavegamin” picture is painted on the parking garage that is near other Lucy attractions. With events, a museum, the playhouse, gift shop, and more, Jamestown certainly plays tribute to the red-headed actress who has brought comedy to homes across the globe.
While visiting Jamestown, I visited the Lucy-Desi Museum. The museum takes you through the lifetimes of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. There are exhibits, huge pictures of the couple, voice recordings, costumes, videos, novelty items, and interesting facts posted to keep a visitor entertained and educated on this famous couple. The exhibits are changed every couple months. There is a small gift shop at the museum with pictures, postcards, and unique items for the Lucy fan. I was not able to take a picture inside the museum. However, there was a beautiful picture of Lucy on the outside of the museum that made a keepsake snapshot.
After the museum, I went to the Desilu Playhouse. The playhouse contains replicas of the actual sets used in the “I Love Lucy” show. I was able to see the kitchen and living room of their New York City apartment and the Hollywood hotel suite on their trip to California. The playhouse also contains costumes and pictures that made me recall episodes from the show. Also, there is an opportunity for visitors to practice their own “Vitameatavegamin” commercial. The playhouse’s gift shop sales clothing items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, pajamas, as well as books, trinkets, purses, and much more.
Then, I was off to the official Lucy-Desi Gift Shop. The shop had so much to offer . . . Lucy luggage, lunch boxes, games, puzzles, DVD’s, books, scrapbooks, posters, postcards, address books, and much more! I left the shop with a puzzle in a mayonnaise jar from Episode #79 – The Million-Dollar Idea, 30 postcards, Lucy socks, Lucille Ball’s autobiography, and the only three movies that Lucy and Desi made together. There is a complete catalog of the gift shop. You can order at 1-877-LUCY-FAN or www.lucy-desi.com.
All of the attractions are open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday 1:00 – 5:00 pm. Pricing for the museum and playhouse is very reasonable. It took me about three hours to visit the attractions above. I did not see Lucy’s birth house, childhood home, or her grave site.
Jamestown is truly proud to be the hometown of Lucille Ball. It was interesting to see Lucy displays at local businesses. The town celebrates Lucy-Desi Days on Memorial Day Weekend and Lucy’s Birthday Celebration in August. During these two major events, the town is filled with Lucy fans. Games, parties, book signings, tours, and much more invite the true Lucy enthusiast.
I enjoyed my trip to Jamestown, New York, the hometown of Lucille Ball. The attractions were not huge, but they were informative and a delight to visit. I left the city with some great mementos and a desire to return for Lucy’s Birthday Celebration in August.
