A group of dedicated Star Wars enthusiasts, including Lisa Stevens, Vic Wertz, Steve Sansweet, Gus Lopez, and Duncan Jenkins, have come together with the goal of creating The Saga Museum of Star Wars Memorabilia. The museum would house four massive collections of Star Wars memorabilia, totaling more than 1.5 million objects, ranging from toy action figures to film props. The museum would be a public, nonprofit space dedicated to celebrating the beloved science-fiction film series through educational, aesthetic, intellectual, and cultural exhibitions and programming for multiple generations.
The idea for The Saga Museum was announced during a fundraiser at Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, generating excitement among Star Wars fans across the galaxy. The collections that would be featured in the museum are among the largest in the world and are the result of years of dedicated collecting by individuals like Lisa Stevens, Vic Wertz, Steve Sansweet, Gus Lopez, and Duncan Jenkins. These collectors have spent years amassing a wide array of Star Wars memorabilia, ranging from rare international items to certified Guinness World Record collections.
The team of collectors has launched a campaign to raise $2 million for a two-year planning phase to identify a suitable location for The Saga Museum and begin the construction process. They envision a 200,000-square-foot space that would include rotating exhibits, a store, cafe, 300-seat theater, research center, meeting and conference rooms, and outdoor and rooftop gathering spaces. The museum aims to provide an immersive experience for Star Wars fans of all levels, from hardcore collectors to casual visitors, allowing them to explore the impact of the iconic franchise on pop culture and the world at large.
The collectors behind The Saga Museum project bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the endeavor. Steve Sansweet, the executive chairman and founder of Rancho Obi-Wan, holds the Guinness World Record for the largest Star Wars memorabilia collection in the world. Gus Lopez, a former Amazon executive, brings his extensive collection known as “Bobacabana” to the table, along with his expertise as the creator of the Star Wars Celebration Collecting Track and co-author of several Star Wars books. Duncan Jenkins is known for his presentations at Star Wars conventions and his comprehensive collection, “The Sithsonian,” in Kansas City, Mo., which focuses on international and unique memorabilia.
The team is excited about the potential of The Saga Museum to create a space where fans of all ages can come together to experience the magic of Star Wars in new and exciting ways. Anne Neumann, President of Rancho Obi-Wan, expressed the hope that the museum would serve as a hub for exploring the impact of the Star Wars franchise on both pop culture and the broader world. With their combined passion, expertise, and resources, the collectors involved in The Saga Museum project are poised to create a one-of-a-kind destination for Star Wars fans to come together and celebrate their shared love of the iconic science-fiction saga.
