A Visit to the Lucy-Desi Museum and more Special Guest Post by Lucy fan, Lucy Ortiz
When I was born, my parents decided to name me after the I Love Lucy show. As an adult, I realized I had some things in common with the Arnaz-Ball family. My birthday is exactly one week before Desi Jr’s in January, Lucille Ball and my father’s birthday are both in August, my name and Lucie Arnaz’s name sound similar, and finally Desi Sr. and my father both played the guitar.
Every once in a while, I watch the show and laugh at the crazy situations Lucy gets into, even though I’ve seen the episodes before. A relative of mine, who knew I was named after the show and occasionally watches it, told me there was a Lucy-Desi Museum in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY. I looked it up online and decided this was something I’d love to see. A month later I took the 6 hour drive to Jamestown and here’s what I saw…..
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The Lucy-Desi Museum
One of Lucy’s personal necklaces
The actual Emmy’s the show won
Desi’s Babalu record
A telegram announcing Desi Jr’s birth
Painted portrait of the family
Two of Lucy’s Mame costumes
The Paris “original” Ricky & Fred concocted for Lucy & Ethel out of potato sacks
Desi’s office chair & smoking jacket at Desilu Studios
The Ricardo’s piano
The Ricardo’s New York apartment
Ricardo’s NY apartment from another angle
The right side that connects to the kitchen
The Ricardo’s kitchen
Ricardo hotel suite in California (left side)
Ricardo hotel suite in California (right side)
Front view of the suite
Lucy’s personal 1972 Mercedes
She had her initials engraved on the Mercedes. The M stands for her husband Gary’s last name Morton.
Desi’s personal suits & golf clubs
A few pieces of Lucy & Desi’s personal china
Little Ricky’s pants
Lucy’s shoes
Lucy & Desi’s chairs on the set
The little message you see when you first come in
Lucy’s “Queen of the Gypsies” necklace
Ethel wore these shoes for the “Women From Mars” episode
This is my sister mimicking Lucy in the Vitameatavegamin scene. The scene’s dialogue is available so whoever you’re with can make a video of you acting out the scene.
Lucy and Vitameatavegamin
Desi Sr. made this teddy bear for one of his children. The message says “Get well soon. Love Daddy”. The teddy bear looks just like him.
This tiny bicycle was used by Pepito the Clown in the pilot episode of the series
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The above photos are two of Lucy’s costumes for the show. See if you can guess in which episodes she wore these.
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At the end of the exhibit before leaving, there is a handwritten message from Lucy and Desi’s daughter Lucie. On the opposite side of Lucie’s photo, there is a board you can sign.
Lucie’s message to Jamestown says “Thank you for honoring my family so beautifully all these years. There’s something magical here now…laughter”.
I’m sure there were other Lucys that signed the board, so I boxed my message.
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I Love Lucy Murals
The museum wasn’t the only thing that there was to see in Jamestown. As you walk around the city area, you’ll see I Love Lucy murals….
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Lucille Ball Memorial Park
There was also the Lucille Ball Memorial Park where her bronze statue is located.
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Lucy’s Childhood Home
We also saw her childhood home located at 59 Lucy Lane. The street was originally W. 8th St, but they changed the name in her honor.
Lucy’s childhood home at 59 Lucy Lane
Lucy & Desi visited the house in 1956. I get goose bumps knowing that I took the same walk they took to get to the house.
Visitors aren’t allowed into the house, but I walked up to the porch and took a photo of the front door. The sign says “Welcome Lucille Ball”.
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Lake View Cemetery
Our last leg of the trip was the cemetery where Lucy’s ashes are; the ashes were originally kept in a mausoleum in California but were moved in 2003 to the Hunt-Ball family plot in Jamestown. We entered the cemetery not sure of where her family plot was located, until we saw a sign that said to follow the L’s, and then follow the hearts.
Follow the L’s
Follow the hearts
Underneath her name it says “You’ve come home”
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–Lucy Ortiz for Classic Movie Hub
A Big Thank You to Lucy for sharing these wonderful photos with us!
Dear Lucy, thanks so much for letting us come along on your road trip to Jamestown. Your great photos made me feel I was really there, and I was most amazed at seeing the murals around town, what fun!
Thank you for sharing your photos. I grew up faithfully watching the I Love Lucy Show. It was a time when the whole family gathering around the TV to watch our favorite shows and this was one of them.
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Dear Lucy, thanks so much for letting us come along on your road trip to Jamestown. Your great photos made me feel I was really there, and I was most amazed at seeing the murals around town, what fun!
You’re welcome and thank you for your response. It was an enjoyable trip and I was happy to let everyone in on it.
Thanks so much.Superb photos.
Thank you & you’re welcome.
Thank you for sharing your photos. I grew up faithfully watching the I Love Lucy Show. It was a time when the whole family gathering around the TV to watch our favorite shows and this was one of them.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed them.