The Saga Museum is set to house a staggering 1.5 million items from four major collectors. One of the highlighted collections comes from Rancho Obi-Wan, known for its extensive Star Wars memorabilia. The Bay Area, recognized as the birthplace of the iconic Star Wars franchise, is actively being considered as a potential location for this new museum. Although director George Lucas’s hopes of establishing a presence in San Francisco’s Presidio were dashed, the plans for the museum are underway, with fundraising efforts currently in progress. A decision on the final location is expected by mid-2025.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, George Lucas’s vision for Star Wars has evolved over several decades, growing into a massive film series that has captivated countless fans who now collect various memorabilia. The four leading collectors, each without children, are concerned about the future of their collections and aim to consolidate them in one place. They’re planning to establish a foundation to ensure the sustainability of their joint collection.

Naming themselves “Saga Museum of Star Wars Memorabilia,” the museum will feature items from Rancho Obi-Wan in Petaluma, the “Sithsonian” in Kansas City, “Bobacabana” in the Greater Seattle area, and the “Imperial Archives.” Beyond just San Francisco, they are considering other cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, and New York, but San Francisco remains their favored choice due to its historical significance in the Star Wars universe. In addition to being the home of Lucasfilm’s headquarters, Skywalker Ranch is also located nearby. However, past attempts by George Lucas to establish a facility there faced obstacles, leading to the eventual placement of a similar museum in Los Angeles, which leaves the San Francisco plan uncertain.

Steve Sansweet, a passionate collector from Rancho Obi-Wan, shared with the Chronicle that all four collectors are aging, with himself being 79 years old. He worries about the fate of over 400,000 items getting lost or discarded after their passing. The pandemic has made exhibitions challenging, prompting them to think about their legacy.

If the Saga Museum comes to fruition, its collection will exceed 1.5 million pieces, featuring everything from the original Death Star model used in filming to various props and merchandise. An especially sought-after item will include the previously unreleased Boba Fett props. Despite having only four lines and appearing for less than seven minutes in the original trilogy, Boba Fett has become a leading figure in subsequent narratives. Gus Lopez, the collector behind Bobacabana, named his exhibit after the character due to his immense popularity. However, Lopez’s collection extends beyond just Boba Fett, featuring items like the Death Star and Princess Leia’s iconic gold bikini.

Lisa Stevens from the Imperial Archives expressed her desire for the exhibits to continue captivating audiences long after their time. At 61, she retired as a designer for Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons and Dragons.

The museum has initiated a crowdfunding campaign with a target of $2 million and plans to survey municipal interest by the end of 2024. A final decision on the location, as well as the application for construction permits, is anticipated in 2025. One of the potential sites includes the Flood Building on Powell Street in San Francisco. While the group has yet to engage in talks about this location, they are optimistic, noting its potential. Rodney Fong, owner of the Wax Museum at Fisherman’s Wharf, has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the project.