Jimmy Stewart’s love of Fort Worth rings true in artifacts, words in exhibit now open

A new exhibit documenting actor Jimmy Stewart’s love of Fort Worth, what he called the “Unexpected City,” is now open at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History.

The exhibit, called “An Unexpected Friendship: Jimmy Stewart’s Love for Fort Worth,” is located in the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History and was created in collaboration with Visit Fort Worth, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, The Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Aviation Museum.

Earlier this year Visit Fort Worth revealed its latest tourism ad featuring Stewart’s voice from the 1977 film “Fort Worth: The Unexpected City.”

Although he wasn’t from Texas, Stewart was an advocate of Fort Worth throughout his career and a promoter of the Fort Worth Zoo because of his love for conservation.

In the film “Fort Worth: The Unexpected City” Stewart said, “I got lucky...and discovered this place.”

In a 1977 letter included in the exhibit, Stewart wrote to the senior vice president of Fort Worth-based marketing company Witherspoon & Associates following the marriage of one of his twin daughters.

“I am glad the film “Fort Worth: The Unexpected City” has been well received; and I think it’s a fine idea to donate a portion of the equipment the zoo needs to present animal-oriented multi-media shows for children as well as adults,” he said in the letter.

“An Unexpected Friendship” feature photos, scripts and other artifacts from Stewart’s time in Fort Worth. The exhibit will run through Sept. 1.

Admission into the exhibit is included in the regular ticket price of the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History.

Ticket prices are:

• Ages 65 and older: $14

• Ages 12-64: $16

• Ages 3-11: $12

• Ages 0-2): Free

• Members: Free