ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Our mission is to collect, preserve and interpret artifacts and archival materials relative to the life and work of Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., by utilizing our collections and exhibits to provide cultural and educational publications and programs to the public.

The Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. Museum’s archives contain photographs, artwork, movie posters, autographs, rare documents and correspondence, audio and video recordings, films, books and periodicals dating from the 1860s to the present. Our collection is growing rapidly, and currently contains approximately 1200 artifacts in addition to thousands of pages of published materials in our news archives.

The museum was founded in 1998 by a small group of Fairbanks fans, is run entirely with private funding and the efforts of our volunteer curatorial, conservation and research staff. Memorabilia from our collections has been featured in various media publications, books, documentary films, and live presentations worldwide.

Our credits include projects and exhibits produced by The History Channel, the University of Texas, Indiana University, PBS (Public Broadcasting System – USA), BBC2 (U.K.), the National Portrait Gallery, the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, the United States Mariners’ Museum, the Whaling Museum, The San Francisco Silent Film Festival, and the Douglas Fairbanks Memorial at Hollywood Forever.

The museum also provided production assistance, interviews, artifacts, and photographs to the documentary film, Douglas Fairbanks – The Great Swashbuckler, available on DVD. Excerpts from the documentary can be viewed on YouTube.

HELP US PRESERVE FILM HISTORY

One of the easiest ways you can help the museum is to simply give a gift of your volunteer time, office/archival supplies, artifacts, or a small cash donation.

Your financial support helps us with basic operating expenses, enables us to acquire new artifacts, and to provide the very best care and conservation for our existing collections. As these items are now approaching or over 100 years of age, they need increasing amounts of attention.

Every gift is greatly appreciated and brings us one step closer to accomplishing our mission. That goal is establishing a permanent place in history for Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., to ensure that film historians and fans have his work, his extraordinary life and legacy to study and enjoy for many generations to come.

* Please note that all gifts – whether of volunteer time, supplies, artifacts or cash – are not tax-deductible. A Deed of Gift form will be provided to you for your records. All non-cash gifts must have prior written approval from the museum curator.