Museum of World Treasures facts for kids
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| Established | 2001 |
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| Location | 835 East 1st Street, Wichita, KS 67202 United States |
The Museum of World Treasures is an exciting history museum located in Wichita, Kansas, USA. It's a place where you can explore amazing items from all over the world and different time periods. Imagine seeing giant dinosaur skeletons, real Egyptian mummies, and even a piece of the famous Berlin Wall! The museum also has signatures from every U.S. President and a genuine shrunken head.
This museum isn't just about one part of history. Instead, it has a huge and varied collection that covers many different topics and interests, from ancient times to today. The Museum of World Treasures is part of the American Alliance of Museums, an organization for museums across the country.
Contents
Museum History
The museum first opened its doors on April 22, 2001. Back then, it was called the Museum of Ancient Treasures. It was located in the Garvey Building in Downtown Wichita. Most of the first exhibits came from the personal collection of the museum's founder, Dr. Jon Kardatzke.
In less than a year, the museum's collection grew a lot and became very diverse. It soon included items from over 30 different private collections. These items covered many important events and cultures, from prehistoric times to the present day. When the museum bought three complete dinosaur skeletons, it needed a much bigger space!
So, in 2003, the museum moved to a new location in Old Town, Wichita. This new spot was a three-story warehouse that was completely rebuilt to hold the growing collection. At this time, the museum was renamed The Museum of World Treasures. Today, more than 300 collectors have loaned or donated items to the museum. The museum actually owns about 75% of all the artifacts you see there.
Exploring the Museum
The museum has three floors, each filled with different historical artifacts. You can go between floors using a central spiral staircase or a cool glass elevator. This elevator gives you a great view of the towering dinosaur exhibit! The first floor also has the main entrance and the Museum Store, where you can find souvenirs.
First Floor: Ancient Wonders
The first floor of the museum takes you back in time. It focuses on fossils and the history of early humans. There's also a room dedicated to geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and minerals. Some of the most exciting exhibits here include:
- Ivan the T. rex - This amazing Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton was found in 2007. About 65% of it is real fossil! When it was discovered, it had the most complete tail of any T. rex ever found, with only three bones missing.
- "Sea Creatures of the Plains" - This exhibit shows off marine fossils found right here in Kansas. You can see a huge 34-foot Tylosaurus (a giant marine reptile), a Xiphactinus (a large fish), and a mosasaur (another marine reptile).
- Egyptian Mummies - See real female mummies from ancient Egypt.
- Coins of the Roman Emperors - Explore a 50-foot timeline that displays gold, silver, and bronze coins from almost every Roman Emperor. You can also read about their achievements and conquests.
- World Civilizations - This area showcases items from ancient Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Egyptian, Pre Columbian, African, Southeast Asian, and Ancient Near East cultures.
Second Floor: Wars, Presidents, and Royalty
The second floor of the museum is all about military history, U.S. presidents, and royalty from around the world. Here are some key exhibits:
- More Than Darkness - This exhibit features documents and artifacts from the Middle Ages, a time period after the fall of the Roman Empire.
- A Touch of Classicism: Telling the Story of the Renaissance - Take a journey through the Renaissance, a period of great cultural and artistic growth in Europe.
- Military Gallery - See weapons and artifacts from many important conflicts. These include the American Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, World War I (with a large recreation of Trench Warfare), World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
- American Presidents Gallery - This gallery has the actual signature of every single American president. You can also see a replica of the famous Resolute Desk, which is used by the U.S. President in the Oval Office.
Third Floor: American History and Fun
The third floor features many items from American history. This top floor also has a large banquet room that can be rented for private events like weddings or meetings. Some interesting exhibits here are:
- All Are Not Free - This exhibit tells the story of life behind the Iron Curtain during the Cold War, using artifacts from that time.
- Ivan's PlayHouse - This is a fun, kid-friendly play area with educational activities, perfect for younger visitors.
- Romancing the West - Explore the American West with exhibits on cowboys, Native Americans, frontier living, the Pony Express, and other Western artifacts.
- Historic Composers and Music - See original handwritten music from famous composers like Mozart and Beethoven, as well as music legends like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.
- Kardatzke Historic Authors Collection - This collection features items from famous authors and poets such as Robert Frost and Mark Twain.
Special Rotating Exhibits
The Museum of World Treasures also has special exhibits that are only on display for a limited time. This means there's always something new to see when you visit!
Museum Programs
The museum is very focused on its goal to educate, entertain, and inspire visitors. They offer many programs, including:
- Camp-Ins: Spend a night at the museum!
- Educational Tours: Guided tours for schools and groups.
- Scout Programs: Special activities for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
- Community Outreach Programs: The museum brings history to local communities.
- Educational Partnerships: Working with schools and other organizations.
- Adult Programming: Lectures and evening events for older visitors.
Nearby Museums to Explore
If you're in Wichita and want to see more museums, here are some others nearby:
West of Arkansas River
- Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
- Exploration Place
- Mid-America All-Indian Center
- Old Cowtown Museum
- Wichita Art Museum
East of Arkansas River (Downtown & Old Town)
- Great Plains Transportation Museum
- Kansas Sports Hall of Fame
- Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
