It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but unfortunately, that may not result in the annual opening of the “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland Museum in Cleveland, Illinois.
Since 2008, “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland Museum has been home to more than 400 Hollywood Christmas relics including costumes from A Christmas Carol, Jim Carrey’s sleigh from The Grinch, Will Ferrel’s Buddy costume from Elf (see above) and the famous leg lamp from A Christmas Story. However, Movieland has lost its long-standing strip-mall home in North Olmsted, and have yet to find a new or permanent residence.
This precarious position may ultimately “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland Museum out of Cleveland and into Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
“We are trying to retain it in Cleveland,” says Dena Klaus, wife of Movieland Museum creator Mark Klaus. “The Christmas Story House is here, and with both locations open it was a tremendous draw. It’s like a hidden gem inside of Cleveland.”
Still, in this rough economy, tourist attractions must be wanted by their resident city to receive any backing. And with the attraction bringing in onlookers from over 20 different states, you’d think someone would step up and keep them local.
“We are trying to get the backing from a city that really wants us,” Dena says. “We bring people from 20 different states, and we can really turn a community around. We are looking for people with buildings willing to work out a deal … or an angel investor.”
With time running out, the “Holly”wood Christmas Movieland Museum may need, dare I say, a Christmas miracle.
About Dan Benton
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