by Jerry Annunzio
Is romance your cup of tea? Did you read the best-seller? Did you see the movie? More than once? Then come with us to experience the real thing. This year the American Council of the Blind convention in Des Moines has a special treat for those who need to know “the rest of the story.” Come find out for yourself what really happened in “the most romantic county in the world.”
Madison County, Iowa, has long been famous for its covered bridges (as well as for being the birthplace of film legend John Wayne), but this beautiful and romantic locality was catapulted to worldwide fame with the publication of Robert James Wailer’s novel, “The Bridges of Madison County,” and the subsequent filming of the movie that followed. You will experience once again the aura of Robert and Francesca as you walk through the farmhouse still propped as it was for the movie. You can relive scenes at the yellow Formica kitchen table and even dance there in the kitchen to the music from the movie soundtrack — just like Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep did on the screen. You’ll feel like you’ve walked right into the love story. If you’re a romantic at heart, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Our tour will visit three of the six Madison County covered bridges, as well as Francesca’s House, where the majority of the movie was filmed. Although Francesca’s House is the least wheelchair accessible venue on this tour, because it has three steps from ground level up to the first floor and 16 steps to the second floor of this old farmhouse, most everything inside and out is touchable.
An on-site guide will meet us at the front door and provide a detailed narration. Music from the movie soundtrack will be playing during the tour and is available for purchase in the small gift shop. Outside you will be able to take pictures and touch the old pickup truck that Robert (Clint Eastwood) drove. Then we’ll move on to Winterset, where a local guide will board our bus to narrate the tour of the bridges.
The Cuter-Donahoe Covered Bridge is very accessible because it has been moved to the city park where you can easily walk across, or simply view it from a number of angles — allowing for a variety of picture-taking opportunities. The Cedar Creek Bridge, which is still open to traffic, was featured on the cover of the novel. The Roseman Bridge played a prominent role in the movie version.
Does Your Taste Run to More Macho Movies?
Have you heard of Marion Robert Morrison? Well, most knew him as John Wayne, the Duke or even Rooster Cogburn. Whatever name strikes a note of recognition for you, you’ll find his life story, which began in the central Iowa town of Winterset, Madison County, Iowa, fascinating. He was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907, the son of Clyde and Mary Morrison. John Wayne described his father as “the kindest, most patient man I ever knew.” The Duke said of his mother, “she was a tiny, vivacious, red-headed bundle of energy.”
An on-site guide will help us to step back in time and picture the life of a young midwestern boy and his family near the turn of the century. Detailed narration describing the modest four-room home and the impressive collection of John Wayne memorabilia will carry us back to years gone by. Included among the artifacts is the eye patch the Duke wore in the movie “True Grit,” as well as hundreds of rare photographs and letters from Lucille Ball, Gene Autry, Maureen O’Hara, Jimmy Stewart, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Ronald Reagan and George Burns.
On November 3, 1984, when President Ronald Reagan toured his friend’s birthplace, Reagan commented that the site is an inspiring tribute to a good friend and a great American. Our guide is very capable and will be able to tell us interesting stories and provide detailed descriptions. We have planned time in the gift shop and for taking pictures on the front porch of the house. You will bring home a lifetime of memories, a renewed appreciation for John Wayne and all that he stood for, and maybe even a few souvenirs to remind you of 2001 in Madison County, Iowa.