Follow the yellow brick road.
That phrase, in and of its self, brings one to conjure up images of ruby slippers, munchkins, witches, and emerald cities. More importantly, are the feelings that are conjured up; romanticism, wonder, innocence, and adventure just to name a few. Needless to say, exploring an entire museum dedicated to this cultural phenomenon lit up a couple lightbulbs of curiosity in my head.
Upon arrival, I was greeted by an (appropriately) Emerald Green building, standing out starkly agains the drab main road of the little town. As I entered, I was amazed to find a gift store stacked top to bottom with Wizard of Oz merch and books, everything ranging from toys to books, to clothes and memorabilia. The staff was unusually excited to talk to someone from Los Angeles and ushered me into the back and immediately I knew, Toto, we weren’t in Kansas anymore.
The museum is jam-packed with wonders in every corner. What most people don’t realize, is that a series of books came before the movie, and rightfully, the first part of the museum is about those. Original illustrations are encased, notes and writings are memorialized. A new appreciation and thought is asked to be given to the story that lead to the cultural phenomenon.
And what a phenomenon it was. As you can see from the pictures, the movie inspired every marketing opportunity you could think of. Barbies? Check. Muppets? Check. Puzzles? Check. Live action starting current celebrities? Check.
This museum really is a diamond in the rough. Outing the middle of nowhere, it is sure to be missed by the majority of people driving a long the nearby expressway. But if you have the time, or even if you don’t, this is a gem that is worth stopping by.
Closest Supercharger Topeka KS
5930 SW Huntoon St, Topeka, KS 66614
Oz Museum
511 Lincoln Ave, Wamego, KS 66547
