Rancho Obi-Wan: Difference between revisions

| caption = OwnerRancho Obi-Wan owner [[Steve Sansweet]] (standing) at [[Star Wars Celebration|''Star Wars'' Celebration ]] V

| collections = ''[[Star Wars]]''

| collection_size = ~500,000

| founder = [[Steve Sansweet]]

| president = AnnAnne Neumann

| ceo = AnnAnne Neumann

'''Rancho Obi-Wan''' is a nonprofit museum in [[Petaluma, California]], that houses the [[Guinness World Records|Guinness World Record]] certified largest collection of ''[[Star Wars]]'' memorabilia, amassed by [[Steve Sansweet]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2023 |title=The Star Wars collection is strong at Rancho Obi-Wan {{!}} Bartell's Backroads |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/backroads/star-wars-rancho-obi-wan-petaluma-bartells-backroads/103-4ae6192e-0258-4928-a1f5-760f35f8ffb7 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=abc10.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2020 |title=Alta Asks Live: Rancho Obi-Wan’s Steve Sansweet |url=http://altaonline.com/events/a9428/rancho-obi-wans-steve-sansweet-alta-asks-live/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Alta Online |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bartell |first=John |date=January 26, 2023 |title=San Francisco's crooked street |url=https://www.abc10.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/backroads/san-francisco-crooked-lombard-street-bartells-backroads/103-d95138a0-ff60-4ba0-af64-12840550130c}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Danville awakens force for 1st in-person Star Wars Day celebration since the pandemic began |url=https://abc7news.com/danville-may-4th-the-fourth-be-with-you-star-wars-day/11818503/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2022 |title=9 eccentric (and totally fascinating) Bay Area museums |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/07/19/9-eccentric-and-totally-fascinating-bay-area-museums |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> Rancho Obi-Wan covers over 9,000 square feet.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2020 |title=Rancho Obi-Wan offers tours of the world's largest collection of Star Wars memorabilia |url=https://abc7chicago.com/rancho-obi-wan-star-wars-kenner-toys-worlds-largest-collection/5891962/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=ABC7 Chicago |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sandell |first=Clayton |date=October 23, 2018 |title=Rancho Obi-Wan: This man spent years building the largest 'Star Wars' collection in the world |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/News/rancho-obi-wan-man-spent-20-years-building/story?id=58695191 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>

The museum had its roots in Steve Sansweet's personal collection, amassed since before the original ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' movie was released.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Impressive 'Star Wars' Memorabilia Collection at Rancho Obi-Wan |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/rancho-obiwan |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}}</ref> It got started in earnest when Sansweet pulled a ''Star Wars'' promotional mailer out of his boss's wastebasket when he worked at the ''[[The New York Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wortham |first=Jenna |title=Ultimate Star Wars Fanboy Stashes a Galaxy of Cool Collectibles |language=en-US |work=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/06/gallery-starwars-2/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> The museum itself was built out of an old chicken ranch in Petaluma, California. The museum still houses several chickens and contains multiple coops near the entrance to the main house. The chicken ranch was purchased by Sansweet in 1998.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Leibowitz |first=Ed |date=November 9, 2020 |title=In a Galaxy Closer to Home |url=http://altaonline.com/dispatches/a8723/rancho-obi-wan-steve-sansweet/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Alta Online |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=DiFeliciantonio |first=Chase |date=November 25, 2021 |title=The world’s largest galaxy of ‘Star Wars’ relics is in a Petaluma museum. Here’s what’s inside. |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/The-world-s-largest-Star-Wars-collection-16650172.php |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=San Francisco Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":9" />

In 2014 the Guinness Book of World Records officially certified Rancho Obi-Wan as the largest collection of ''Star Wars'' memorabilia.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" />

Throughout 2015 and 2016, Carl Edward Cunningham, a longtime friend of Steve Sansweet, stole over 120 collectibles from the museum. Valued at over $200,000, the theft consisted of primarily vintage [[Kenner Star Wars action figures|Kenner ''Star Wars'' action figures]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 10, 2017 |title=Man admits to stealing $100,000 in 'Star Wars' collectibles from Petaluma museum |url=https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/georgia-man-pleads-guilty-to-star-wars-collection-theft-from-rancho-obi-w/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=Santa Rosa Press Democrat |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Glionna |first=John M. |date=June 6, 2017 |title=World's most prolific Star Wars collector appeals to fans after 'devastating' theft |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jun/05/star-wars-biggest-collector-steve-sansweet-theft |access-date=2023-03-10 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |last=Hoyle |first=Ben |title=Luke Skywalker on the case of Star Wars’ theft at Rancho Obi-Wan museum |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/luke-skywalker-on-the-case-after-theft-of-rare-items-at-star-wars-rancho-obi-wan-museum-mx8k7bsjn |access-date=2023-03-10 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> Sansweet met Cunningham in 1996, who stayed at the museum several times in the period of theft.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2017 |title=Owner of Rancho Obi-Wan, the Smithsonian of 'Star Wars,' speaks out on 'devastating' memorabilia theft |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-rancho-obi-wan-star-wars-theft-20170606-story.html |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Cunningham pled guilty to [[grand theft]] in 2017 in a [[Sonoma County, California]] court.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=June 6, 2017 |title=Collector charged in theft of Star Wars items from private Northern California museum |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/06/california-star-wars-memorabilia-stolen-collector-charged/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2017 |title=Collector charged in theft of ‘Star Wars’ items in California |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/movies/collector-charged-in-theft-of-star-wars-items-in-california/ |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kukura |first=Joe |title=World’s Largest ‘Star Wars’ Toy Bandit Captured |url=https://www.sfweekly.com/archives/world-s-largest-star-wars-toy-bandit-captured/article_01d18edd-6490-5014-963f-575d8be3ac73.html |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=SFWeekly |language=en}}</ref>

=== ''Star Wars'' Celebration activity ===

At ''Star Wars'' Celebration 2019 in Chicago, Rancho Obi-Wan showcased its collection in the exhibition hall., Includingincluding displays about ''Star Wars'' Celebration, and women in ''Star Wars''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2019 |title=Rancho Obi-Wan at Star Wars Celebration honors fandom, Leia, and Jar Jar Binks |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/rancho-obi-wan-at-star-wars-celebration-honors-fandom-leia-and-jar-jar-binks |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=SYFY Official Site |language=en-US}}</ref> Sansweet and Rancho Obi-Wan were also present at ''Star Wars'' Celebration 2022 in Anaheim, hosting a [[Mandalorians|Mandalorian]] themed exhibition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=StarWars com |title=Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2022 Announces First Celebrity Guests |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-celebration-anaheim-2022-guest-announce-1 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Star Wars Celebration adds Rancho Obi-Wans the Evolution of the Mandalorians Exhibit |url=https://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2022/05/star-wars-celebration-adds-rancho-obi-wans-the-evolution-of-the-mandalorians-exhibit.html |website=Star Wars News Net}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in California|COVID-19 pandemic]], Rancho Obi-Wan halted all tours of the facility, and closed the museum.<ref name=":5" /> In response, the museum started an online version that documented the collection over a series of photos and videos.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=World's Biggest STAR WARS Collection Opens Virtual Tour |url=https://nerdist.com/article/rancho-obi-wan-virtual-tour-worlds-biggest-star-wars-collection/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=Nerdist |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2021, ''[[USA Today]]'' hosted a poll to determine the top ten pop culture museums in the United States for its readers choice program, endingwith Rancho Obi-Wan in third place underneathafter the [[Birthplace of Country Music Museum]] and the [[Patsy Cline]] museum.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2021 |title=Petalumans attempting to push Rancho Obi-Wan to No. 1, one vote at a time |url=https://www.petaluma360.com/article/entertainment/from-obi-wan-to-no-1-one-vote-at-a-time/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Petaluma Argus-Courier |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2023 |title='A Christmas Story' House in Cleveland among 20 nominees in USA TODAY 10 Best poll for favorite pop culture museums: How you can vote |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/a-christmas-story-house-cleveland-nominated-vote-usa-today-10best-poll-favorite-pop-culture-museums/95-4384de5a-1bf8-4756-984d-ebc73be5cd02 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=wkyc.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Best Pop Culture Museum Winners (2021) {{!}} USA TODAY 10Best |url=https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-pop-culture-museum-2023/ |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=10Best |language=en}}</ref>

Starting in 2013, Rancho Obi-Wan hosts a fundraising event dubbed the Rancho Obi-Wan gala. The event centers around a live auction that raises money for the museum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newbold |first=Mark |title=Inside Rancho Obi-Wan's 2nd Annual Gala, Part 2: Here We Go Again |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/rancho-obi-wans-second-annual-gala-part-2-here-we-go-again |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=StarWars.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=August 7, 2018 |title=Rancho Obi-Wan Annual Gala Returns in October |url=https://coffeewithkenobi.com/rancho-obi-wan-annual-gala-returns-in-october/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Coffee With Kenobi |language=en-US}}</ref> During the Coronaviruscoronavirus pandemic the Gala was held online.<ref name=":4" />

OfficiallyAs of May 4, 2015, Rancho Obi-Wan hasofficially had 93,260 pieces of ''Star Wars'' Memorabiliamemorabilia; however, that is just the number audited and catalogued for the Guinness World Record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2022 |title=15 coolest items from the world’s largest Star Wars collection |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/5/15-coolest-items-from-the-worlds-largest-star-wars-collection-702672 |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref> Over the years the collectionscollection's size estimates have increased from 350,000,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glionna |first=John M. |date=December 30, 2015 |title=In a warehouse far, far away, the galaxy's top Star Wars collector holds court |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/30/star-wars-the-force-awakens-top-franchise-collector-warehouse-rancho-obi-wan |access-date=2023-03-11 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2016 |title=Steve Sansweet: The Force Is Right |url=https://www.npr.org/2016/03/03/468926083/steve-sansweet-the-force-is-right}}</ref> to 400,000,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> to more than 500,000.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=March 27, 2016 |title=The force is strong with Rancho Obi-Wan |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2016/03/27/the-force-is-strong-with-rancho-obi-wan/ |access-date=2023-03-09 |website=Boston Herald |language=en-US}}</ref>

[* {{Official website|https://ranchoobiwan.org/ Rancho Obi-Wan official website]}}

[[Category:Petaluma,2011 establishments in California]]

[[Category:PopularToy culturemuseums in the United States]]

[[Category:MuseumsWorld establishedrecord in 2011holders]]