“An Unexpected Friendship: Jimmy Stewart’s Love for Fort Worth” will open April 13  and run through September 1. The exhibit will feature photos, scripts and other artifacts from the legendary actor’s time in Fort Worth. 

These never-before-seen items come out of a collaboration between Visit Fort Worth, The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, The Fort Worth Zoo and the Fort Worth Aviation Museum. 

Through his friendships and experiences across five decades, Stewart, an Academy Award winner and Honorary Texan was an advocate of the city of Fort Worth. He was a frequent promoter of the Fort Worth Zoo because of his love for conservation. In 1966, the world premiere of his film, “The Rare Breed,” took place during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo at the original Palace Theater downtown. 

Visit Fort Worth recently unveiled a new, cinematic marketing campaign featuring the iconic voice of Jimmy Stewart from the 1977 short film, “Fort Worth: The Unexpected City.” The exhibit will also feature this original short film, sponsored by First National Bank of Fort Worth in celebration of the bank’s 100th anniversary.  

Individuals and institutions who assisted in documenting the exhibit include Visit Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Zoo, the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Fort Worth Aviation Museum, Fort Worth Camera, Ms. Jane Schlansker, Mrs. Debbie Head, Mrs. Ramona Bass and the Stewart Family.

Access to the exhibit is included in the price of a regular Fort Worth Museum of Science & History admission ticket.