Information
Landmark: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz MuseumCity: Buffalo
Country: USA New York
Continent: North America
Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, Buffalo, USA New York, North America
Overview
In Jamestown, New York-Lucille Ball’s hometown-the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum brings to life the stories, laughter, and lasting legacy of television’s beloved duo, filled with snapshots, costumes, and the hum of old studio lights.Founded in 1996, the museum celebrates their trailblazing impact on entertainment, especially the iconic sitcom *I Love Lucy*, where laughter still echoes from classic scenes.In the 1950s, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz shook up television by creating and starring in *I Love Lucy*, a sitcom whose sharp wit and unforgettable red-haired heroine made it one of the most loved and influential shows in history.The museum celebrates them as the “First Couple of Comedy,” showcasing their sharp on-screen chemistry and the ways they reshaped television-most notably by bringing in the multi-camera setup, complete with the laughter and energy of a live audience.You’ll find the museum at 2 West 3rd Street in Jamestown, NY 14701-right in Lucille Ball’s hometown, where her story feels at home and her legacy comes alive.The museum sits inside a historic building that pulls you straight into the era of *I Love Lucy*, right down to the black-and-white charm of its set recreations.The museum’s main draw is its painstaking re-creations of classic I Love Lucy sets, like the Ricardos’ cozy New York apartment with its checkered kitchen floor.That sleek Hollywood hotel suite from the show’s later seasons, with its polished wood desk and city lights spilling through the window.Visitors wander through these rooms, stepping into the very settings that gave the sitcom its warmth and wit-like the scuffed kitchen table where half the jokes began.Personal artifacts and memorabilia fill the collection-hundreds of pieces from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s lives, including original costumes they wore under the bright studio lights.The couple took home Emmy Awards, their names called under the bright stage lights.Photographs show glimpses of their careers and home life-a handshake on stage, a laugh over coffee.Handwritten letters, old scripts, and production notes scrawled in the margins.Props used while shooting the episodes, like a scuffed leather briefcase, sat just off camera.Holding these artifacts feels like touching a fragment of the night sky, and they spark a deeper respect for the work behind them.At the museum, you can dive into the world of *I Love Lucy* with hands-on activities-step under the lights, face the camera, and recreate Lucille Ball’s unforgettable Vitameatavegamin scene, right down to the syrupy bottle in your hand.You’ll also find interactive spots with multimedia screens and rich audio-visual displays, telling the couple’s story and showcasing the show’s inventive production-complete with glowing lights and crisp, clear voices.Alongside its permanent displays, the museum now and then puts on special exhibits, film screenings, and lively events that explore every corner of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s careers-sometimes even showcasing a vintage script or costume under warm gallery lights.We’re open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the doors stay shut on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.Admission prices are $23 for adults, $22 for seniors 60 and over, $20 for college students and teens 13–17, and $18 for kids 6–12; children under six get in free.Chautauqua County residents enjoy discounted rates of $14–$19, while active military and veterans pay $18.You can also grab a dual admission ticket, which includes entry to the National Comedy Center just down the street-a spot packed with classic TV clips and comedy history.You can park for free in the National Comedy Center lot at 45 W, right by the main entrance.2nd St., available to whoever gets there first.You’ll find extra spots along the street and a couple of nearby garages, just steps from the entrance.Why stop by?Step inside the museum and you’ll find a rich, hands-on journey for classic TV fans, comedy buffs, and anyone curious about how shows are made and how they’ve shaped our culture.It keeps alive the legacy of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, pioneers who changed the face of entertainment and popular culture, from the crackle of black‑and‑white TV screens to the laughter echoing in living rooms.With its hands-on exhibits and faithfully recreated sets, the museum feels alive, drawing visitors into Lucy’s world until you can almost hear her laugh echo through the room.If you’re eager to step back into the golden age of TV comedy and uncover the remarkable life stories behind one of its most cherished shows, make your way to the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum in Jamestown, where Lucy’s bright red polka-dot dress still catches the light.
