The Only Place Where Dorothy’s Famous Journey Ends Rather Than Begins Attracts Thousands to Rural Kansas

The Oz Museum in Wamego

In a small Kansas town of 4,700 people, someone had a pretty perfect idea: build a museum dedicated to all things Oz, and it goes beyond the movie.

They’ve turned 511 Lincoln Avenue into an actually interesting deep dive into America’s most famous fantasy story. Let’s dig into what it holds.

Preserves Century-Old Oz Relics

The museum houses promotional materials from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 book, decades before Judy Garland’s famous film.

Examine illustrated pages from W.W. Denslow’s colorful artwork, including rare posters of the original Dorothy (totally different from the MGM portrayal).

Flying Monkeys Have a Dedicated Section

Two of only four surviving rubber-and-pipe-cleaner Flying Monkey props from the 1939 film reside in this collection.

Original costume sketches show how the filmmakers developed their frightening appearance, including vintage toys that children found too scary.

Hand-painted masks used during filming complete this nightmare-inducing exhibit.

Yellow Brick Path Secrets Hide Under Your Feet

Real yellow bricks form a path in the museum’s foundation that follows the same route described in Baum’s books featuring hidden character symbols.

Local craftspeople installed authentic bricks rather than painted concrete for historical accuracy. Look for small brass markers that identify key locations from Oz.

40 Oz-Themed Murals Sit Outside

Wamego’s open-air art gallery features the Yellow Brick Road Mural Series, which includes 15 uniquely decorated Toto statues throughout town.

The massive 10-by-35-foot mural at the local Sonic Drive-In with characters in vivid detail. At the corner of Highway 99 and 24 sits Dorothy’s farmhouse replica.

The Cursed Ruby Slippers Are Spooky

Broadway performers have reported strange accidents when wearing these reproduction slippers from a 1975 production of The Wiz.

This mysterious footwear supposedly caused power outages during performances. The museum also displays hand-jeweled ruby slippers covered in Swarovski crystals.

Annual OZtoberFest Attracts Designers

This October event has costume designers competing for a $5,000 grand prize.

Watch Hollywood-level costumes parade across the stage. Even professional designers travel across the country to showcase their Oz-inspired creations.

Categories include Most Authentic, Most Creative, and Best Group Ensemble. This year, a special tornado-themed category celebrates the film’s famous special effects.

Munchkin Death Certificate Or Just a Hoax?

The prop death certificate declaring the Wicked Witch of the East “really most sincerely dead” contains signatures from the surviving Munchkin actors.

You can read the humorous “cause of death” listings not visible in the film. The document comes from a 1989 reunion when Munchkin actors visited the museum.

A Simulator Puts You Inside the Storm

This hidden gem sits in the back corner but shouldn’t be missed. The interactive experience recreates the film’s iconic Twister scene.

Feel the wind, see swirling vapor, and hear surround-sound audio. Recently, they upgraded this simulator to mimic being inside Dorothy’s spinning house.

Let’s Talk About Native American Influence

Compare Native American designs alongside Baum’s world, indicating his exposure to Native American cultures during the writing’s formative years.

The museum also houses historical maps that trace Baum’s travels through Indigenous territories before he wrote the book (perhaps they were an inspiration).

An Escape Room That Puzzles Experts

Solve riddles written in Munchkin language to advance through the rooms.

Only 22% of visitors have successfully completed the “Escape from the Witch’s Castle” challenge within the 60-minute time limit.

Professional puzzle designers from national escape room chains created the challenge with fog effects and temperature changes for an immersive experience.

International Oz Adaptations Show Global Impact

The museum’s collection features Oz interpretations from Soviet cinema, Bollywood, and Japanese anime.

You can examine rare concept art from the 1982 Japanese animated series “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”

You’ll even come across interesting costumes from The Wiz that appear alongside Russian versions of the Scarecrow.

Time Capsule Waits Beneath Your Feet Until 2039

Museum staff buried a time capsule during 2019 renovations containing modern Oz merchandise and fan predictions.

You are walking above sealed letters from today’s Oz scholars forecasting how the story will evolve. The capsule also contains a video message from L. Frank Baum’s descendants for future generations.

Plan Your Visit to The Oz Museum

Address: 511 Lincoln Avenue, Wamego, KS 66547

Hours: Monday- Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12 pm-5 pm

Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $9, Kids (4-12) $7, Children under 4 free

Special Deals: The “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” package includes museum admission, guided tour, and lunch at Toto’s Tacoz for $25

Insider Tip: Visit on the first Monday of each month to see local Oz enthusiasts dressed as characters throughout the museum

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