Anita Thompson, the widow of late writer and journalist Hunter S. Thompson, is planning to turn the writer’s home in Woody Creek, Colorado, into a museum. The father of “gonzo journalism” lived on Owl Farm, near Aspen, from 1969 until his death.

Thompson, author of classic books such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and The Rum Diary, committed suicide in in 2005. Since then, Anita has left certain rooms in their home completely untouched.

“At first it brought me comfort, and then over the last few years, I’ve kept it this way simply because it is history,” she told the Cannabist. “I want others to experience it,” she added.

Hunter S. and Anita Thompson
Photo: via Cannabist

Thompson is revered as many as the creator of the “gonzo journalism” genre, which came into being in the 1970s as a fast-paced, first person take on reporting, which was designed to be subjective.

“If you’re going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you’re going to be locked up,” Thompson said in a 2004 interview included in the book, Ancient Gonzo Wisdom: Interviews with Hunter S. Thompson.

The farm has never been open to the public, but opening up Thompson’s home to his admirers seems like a natural progression to Anita, who also runs the Gonzo Foundation.

Hunter S. Thompson’s living room is much the same as it was
Photo: Kate Shapiro via Cannabist

“Our work’s focus is to promote political activism, American literature, and journalism through honoring Hunter’s legacy,” she said. “We also have an endowment to a few universities to support young writers and activists who want to change and take control of their environment.”

As Thompson relayed in Ancient Gonzo Wisdom, “I’m a great believer in karma in a profound sense: You will get what’s coming to you.”

Fans of the journalistic legend will have to wait, however, as there’s no specific date for the opening of Owl Farm as a museum.

In the meantime, we’re hoping filmmaker Wes Anderson and Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh launch their theme park, complete with animatronic characters and piped-in music (see Wes Anderson Commissions a Surrealist Theme Park).