As I am always out searching for interesting museums, recently I found out that the house where the movie, “A Christmas Story” was filmed, at least parts of it, is open to the public. Not only, but there is also a museum and gift store next door. I couldn’t believe that it is 20 minutes from us and I didn’t even know about it. Last weekend I called an Uber and went to check it for myself.
This time I did not make any previous arrangements, based on the descriptions I thought there would be something there for me, and I also tried some of the AI tools to get more information, but more about that in another article. On weekends there is a tour starting every half hour. First, people go through the Christmas Story House, then the museum. Our guide, Chuck was amazing. He must have heard at the gift store that there is a blind person in his team, because he arrived a couple of minutes early, came to introduce himself and offered to help me. I didn’t only have an elbow to hold onto, but he explained everything in great detail, and made a point to let me touch anything that was available.
After watching the movie, it was so interesting to be at the house. Unfortunately, the movie is not audio described, but as Jean Shepherd narrates it, it is still enjoyable without the audio description. But being there and imagining the different scenes which take place n the house is something that audio description cannot recreate. Another great aspect of the visit, is that the movie takes place around 1940. From the movie one can only guess the year. Thus, all objects in the house recreate what a house was like more than eighty years ago, which was interesting on its own. I could touch the sink, the fridge, or even the fire engine from the early 1940’s.
The house has replicas of the leg lamp, the BB gun, and even of the soap that was used to wash out Ralphie’s mouth. You can walk upstairs and visit Ralphie’s and Randy’s room.
A fun fact is that you can even sleep there. When the house is not open to the public, people can rent it out for any night, and aside from the Christmas days, it is not even too expensive. So, theoretically, anybody can go, visit and stay. However, it certainly wouldn’t be the same without the guided tour.
From the house we went to the museum, where one can see originals of the objects used in the movie, and many pictures. Though there were a few things to touch in the museum, for example the chalkboard or the fire engine, it is mostly a visual experience. Most things are behind glass, and even if they weren’t there is not much to feel. But fortunately Chuck still explained everything to me so it was still interesting.
I would highly recommend it as a tactile experience. I am also adding it to the list of tactile museums as an unusual item, I only list museums which have at least a good hour worth of tactile experience. But this is a smaller place, so there isn’t all that much here, but what is there is unique enough that I’d recommend visiting if you are in town.
Tom, You can get the audio description of A Christmas Story at Audiovalt.com. You will get a MP3 file of the sound from the movie with the audio description, not the whole video movie. It is a free download.
Thank you Marty, this is great info!