Holiday Nostalgia at A Christmas Story House and Museum

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Is it really the holiday season if you haven’t watched A Christmas Story at least once?!

If you are a fan of this iconic Christmas movie then you are in for a real treat this year with a brand-new sequel! A Christmas Story Christmas will air on HBO Max this holiday season starring Peter Billingsley reprising his role as Ralphie.

I for one can’t wait to find out what Ralphie has been up to all these years!

Several years ago I got to set foot in the legendary home where Ralphie and his family lived when I visited A Christmas Story House and Museum in Cleveland.

I just learned that the house, museum, and everything on this historic property is up for sale!

I’m sure it will cost someone a pretty penny or two to own this beloved home along with the site’s 1.3 acres and all its priceless movie artifacts. Hopefully, a fan of the movie with deep pockets becomes the next owner and allows adoring fans to continue to visit.

In the meantime, the museum will remain open, so plan your trip to Cleveland and don’t miss your chance to walk in Ralphie’s footsteps.

To get you excited and full of Christmas nostalgia, I’ve dusted off my previous article about this treasured landmark. Enjoy…and Merry Christmas!

My Visit to A Christmas Story House and Museum in 2018

I love Christmas!

I love everything about Christmas. The decorations, the lights, the music, the parties, the church services, the shopping, the baking, the movies…I really could go on and on!

Now you may not think of Cleveland, Ohio when you dream about the picturesque Christmas towns highlighted in Hallmark movies.  But Cleveland was the setting for one of the most iconic Christmas movies of our time…A Christmas Story.

Cleveland is where Ralphie Parker finally got his Red Ryder BB gun!

An Iconic Christmas Movie

Love it or hate it, A Christmas Story is one of the most well-known, if not always beloved, holiday movies.

The movie debuted in 1983, but it depicts an Indiana family in the 1940s. The movie didn’t do all that well at the box office and critics did not give it high praise. It wasn’t until years later when A Christmas Story found its way to the small screen, that it won over the hearts of millions. And became a holiday movie classic.

Thanks to Turner Broadcasting System, since 1997 millions of people have had the opportunity to binge on A Christmas Story with a 24-hour marathon every holiday season.

While the movie takes place in the fictitious town of Holmon, Indiana, the actual house where 60% of the movie’s footage was recorded is in Cleveland, Ohio.

Twenty industrial towns that still had some resemblance to a 1940’s community along with a large department store were approached to be the setting for A Christmas Story. Cleveland was the only city that responded, cementing its place in holiday history.

Many decades later the movie remains a holiday staple. And for the price of just $13 you can take a guided tour of Ralphie’s house and wander through the small museum of movie memorabilia just across the street.

A Christmas Story House

The house and accompanying museum, inn, and gift shop are nestled smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood where time seems to have stood still.

We didn’t chat with any of the locals, but I have to wonder if they love or hate having this iconic home and all its many starstruck fans popping in on a daily basis!

Inside the house, a well-rehearsed tour guide reminds you of all the movie scenes you know and love. She also shares some inside secrets about casting and how the movie came to life.

Unlike many museums and former movie sets, guests are actually encouraged to handle the props and even act out familiar scenes from the movie.

Some notable props included the bb gun and bowling ball by the tree, the lifebuoy soap in the bathroom, the rotary phone in the hallway, and the newspapers on the kitchen table.

At the tour guide’s suggestion, you can even take on the role of little brother Randy by getting in the cabinet below the kitchen sink!

Arguably the most famous prop, the infamous leg lamp, is prominently displayed in the front window. The iconic FRAGILE box is also on display among many other photo-worthy props.

It’s a Major Award!!

A Christmas Story Museum

Many more memorable props are housed across the street in the museum. While these props are not to be handled, we couldn’t help but snap numerous photos.

Here you will find various outfits worn by the cast. Including Randy’s classic snowsuit, which provided the utmost warmth…yet rendered him all but immobile! The museum also houses many photos of my favorite scene from the movie, the triple dog dare. The infamous tongue stuck to the light pole scene, along with all the school scenes, were shot in Ontario, Canada.

Kids don’t try this at home!

Classic 1940’s era toys that would have been on many Christmas lists and lining the shelves at Higbee’s Department store are also on display in the museum.

The Bumpus House

The Bumpus homestead next door no longer shelters the Parker’s hillbilly neighbors. Instead, it has been turned into an inn for movie fans, welcoming its first guests in the fall of 2018.

For those who can’t get enough of A Christmas Story, you can spend the night in one of 2 rooms in the Bumpus House.  Choose from the “Hound Dog Haven” suite on the first floor, which accommodates up to four guests. Or stay in the “Stolen Turkey” suite with room for 6 guests and occupies the 2nd and 3rd floors.

If staying in the Bumpus House isn’t your cup of tea, you can actually stay in the private 3rd floor loft of A Christmas Story House. Once the house closes for tours,  guests have full reign of the entire house!

I can only imagine how many amateur remakes of the movie have been recorded by overnight guests!

The Gift Shop

If you are seeking a piece of holiday nostalgia for your own home, the gift shop at A Christmas Story House has every movie keepsake you ever wanted!

From leg lamps in various sizes to pink bunny suits to t-shirts, blankets, board games, magnets, puzzles, and so much more! You can even start or add to your collection of Department 56 village collectibles depicting all your favorite A Christmas Story scenes.

And guess what movie you can watch on a continuous loop while you shop?!

Pick up a jar of Ovaltine or purchase an official Red Ryder BB gun, and you will be set for your next White Elephant gift exchange!

Go ahead, say it. I know you want to!

You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out!!

I highly recommend a trip to A Christmas Story House and Museum for some good old-fashioned holiday nostalgia. But if you can’t get to Cleveland anytime soon, you can still purchase your favorite items from A Christmas Story, including the movie, on Amazon. Links provided below…so let the shopping begin!

Soon your front window can also proudly display the classic leg lamp!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya

Need some memorabilia from A Christmas Story for the perfect Christmas present? Amazon has you covered!

Traveling Tanya is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

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