Methods preserving Lucille Ball's legacy endure in her hometown, years after her demise
Lucy-Desi Museum: A Haven for 'I Love Lucy' Fans in Jamestown, New York
Jamestown, New York, is a place of great significance for fans of the iconic television show 'I Love Lucy.' The town is home to the Lucy-Desi Museum, a hands-on attraction that allows visitors to film the famous 'Vitameatavegamin' commercial themselves.
The museum, a major attraction for Lucy fans, houses a comprehensive collection of memorabilia and exhibits about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Among the hundreds of personal items, awards, archival photographs, cars, clothing, and actual TV series sets, visitors can find a replica of Lucy's famous red dress from the 'Chocolate Factory' episode.
Lucille Ball, born on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, lived briefly at 59 Lucy Lane before moving to 59 W. Eighth St. in neighboring Celoron. Her birth home at 69 Stewart Ave. in Jamestown was renamed 59 Lucy Lane to honor her fame.
The Lucy-Desi Museum is not the only attraction dedicated to Lucy in Jamestown. The National Comedy Center, located near the Lucy-Desi Museum, is a top-notch national museum dedicated to American comedy and famous comedians. The center features a vast number of historic comedy video performances from the last 75 years or so.
In addition to the museums, Jamestown features towering murals of Lucille Ball in various scenes from 'I Love Lucy' throughout the downtown business district. One of the most notable murals is the 'California, Here We Come' mural, which depicts the Ricardos and the Mertzes driving away on a trip to Los Angeles.
Lucy's grave in Lake View Cemetery is another popular destination for fans. Her remains were brought back to Jamestown in 2002, at her children's request, and are now buried in her family's plot (Highland Section) in Lake View Cemetery. The front of her gravestone features the iconic 'heart' that opened each 'I Love Lucy' TV show. Fans often leave cards, notes, flowers, dolls, and other Lucy memorabilia at her final resting place.
Lucille Ball Memorial Park, while not a place where Lucy worked as a young person, is still a popular destination for fans. The original bronze statue of Lucy at the park was immediately panned by the public due to its unlikeness to Lucille Ball, and a new statue was installed in 2016.
The Lucille Ball Little Theater, a performing arts center where a young Lucy performed for hometown audiences decades ago, was named for Lucille Ball in 1989. Regrettably, she passed away before the grand opening.
Tens of thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to the Lucy-Desi Museum each year, making it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Jamestown, New York. The National Comedy Center, with its vast collection of comedy history, only adds to the appeal of Jamestown as a destination for comedy and Lucy fans alike.
