A Visit to the Christmas Story House

I woke up this morning to a text from my Mom, "Where is the blog on the Christmas Story House?"  Ummm I hadn't gotten to it yet, thankyouverymuch!  (My final is next week.  EcccKKKK!  I don't want to talk about it.)  Anyway as I tempted you in my last post, I went to visit the Christmas Story House in Cleveland over Thanksgiving weekend.  I thought K#1 had seen the movie and it would be a fun trip.  (Ummm she hasn't seen it.  I will fix that!)  This is by far one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  I adore this movie.  I don't even care how many times I've seen it.  I love when the marathon is on Christmas Eve/Day.  You better believe when I am cooking, it is on.  I have every leg ornament that was ever made, along with a smaller version of the leg lamp.  I guess this makes me a fanatic!

I have always heard you could go visit the actually house where they filmed in Cleveland.  My parents only live about an hour away.  One of my high school friends posted about her trip on Facebook and that was it.  We were going!  (Thanks Elizabeth for the great idea!)

Here in the middle of a Cleveland neighborhood is the actual house they filmed some outdoor scenes.  A few were shot inside.  The majority of the filming was done on a sound stage and outside in Canada.  They also have a museum with clothes and props from the movie.  And of course a gift shop.  The day we were there, the elf from the department store scene was signing autographs.  (For a fee of course.)

The house.  We had to wait about 20 minutes to get inside.  Luckily it was a pretty warm day out.

Our tickets.  Kids under 6 are free!

Me and K#1

With Gammy.  Don't look so happy K#1!

The house looks quite large from the outside but it is actually pretty small inside.  Much smaller then I imagined.

You can barely see the leg lamp inside.

Once we got inside, the staff encouraged you to touch everything.  Say what?!  Usually they say look, don't touch.  K#1 didn't know what to think.  You could pick up the leg lamp, the BB gun, bowling bowl, sit on the bed, play with the typewriter, 'eat' the soap, sit at the dinner table........whatever you wanted!  That was pretty cool.  The staff was amazing.  You could tell they are very passionate about the movie and their job.  I would fit in for sure!

Leg lamp

'FRAGILEEEEEEE.  It must be Italian.  Honey I think that says fragile.'  I could recite the whole movie for you.

The family

K#1 just marched right up to that leg lamp and ran her hands up and down it.  Just like Ralphie.  She said she liked the way the net stockings felt.

I don't know what made me look for this but there was the pile of cords on the floor.  Remember the scene where they spark and blow a fuse?

Tree

Going up the stairs.  In this pic I couldn't get Gammy to hold still.  Not K#1.  She's perfect.

The staff member in this room said go ahead.  Hop on up there.  Ralphie and Randy's room.

This was her favorite part.  We had to go back twice.  Business/typing teacher Gammy was thrilled.

Calling to tattle on K#1

'NOT THE SOAP!'

'Be Sure to Drink your Ovaltine.'

Hiding under the sink like Randy.  She even let me close the doors.

'Don't eat the bird.  You'll get worms!'

The backdoor which Ralphie came out to shoot his Red Ryder BB Gun.  And broke his glasses.

Some wild child running in the backyard.  They actually filmed the robber scene here.  Newer fence of course.

Shed in backyard.

K#1 was a very good girl.  I think she had a good time.

If you are ever in the Cleveland, I'm sorry.  Whoops I mean you should check out the Christmas Story House.  I would love to go back someday on an 'off' day when it is not so busy and I can really check every detail out.  Thanks to my Mom for driving and going!

I can't wait to watch the movie again and compare what I saw with what is in the movie.  Good thing I own a copy!

My souvenir.  Fits in with my Sarah Plain and Tall houses from years ago.