Relive
"A Christmas Story" in the
Movie’s Museum
It’s
beginning to look a lot like Christmas
in Cleveland. Though nothing rings in
the season like the holiday favorite “A
Christmas Story” movie, Cleveland,
Ohio is offering you just a little more.
It’s here that the house where the
1983 holiday hit was filmed.
Renovated
to its original movie appearance, the
home that proudly displayed an infamous
high-heeled leg lamp more than two decades
ago is now a museum devoted to the tale
of Ralphie Parker. The one-and-only lamp
— displayed prominently in the home's
front window — serves as a beacon
drawing in “A Christmas Story”
fans from all over. The pop culture destination
and tourist attraction, which opened its
doors in late 2006, is now a must-see
as the holidays draw near.
Visitors
of A Christmas Story House will feel like
they have stepped into the 1940s, taking
a nostalgic trip through the Parker Family
home. Though most of the movie's interior
shots were done in a Canadian film studio,
the house has been renovated to look like
it did in the movie. Several pieces of
furniture were even donated by fans of
the film who wanted to help with the restoration
of A Christmas Story House.
In
addition to the home, guests can tour
the accompanying museum dedicated to the
holiday film. Located across the street
from A Christmas Story House, the museum
serves as a ticket sale location and starting
point for the home tours. The museum features
more than 100 behind-the-scenes photos
and items donated by actors from the movie.
For instance, Ian Petrella, who portrayed
Randy Parker, has donated his famous snowsuit,
toy zeppelin and rat from Miss Shields’
drawer. The museum also includes a gift
shop where items such as leg lamps, T-shirts,
paintings, pictures, action figures, Ovaltine,
Lifebuoy Soap, secret decoder pins and
pink bunny suits are available for purchase.
Brian
Jones, owner of the home and museum, purchased
the house— sight unseen — in
an eBay auction without ever having been
to Ohio. A former Navy intelligence officer,
Jones is an obvious fan of “A Christmas
Story” and sells leg lamps, like
the one in the movie, online.
Jones
purchased the 111-year-old house with
the money he earned through his leg lamp
business. He also purchased the house
across the street to serve as the museum.
A
Christmas Story House is located just
five minutes from downtown Cleveland at
3159 W. 11th St. in the Tremont neighborhood.
The home is open year-round, and tickets
cost $5 for adults and $3 for children.
If
You Go…
A
Christmas Story House
3159 W. 11th Street
Cleveland, OH 44109
p: 216-255-6651
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