The Oz Museum and Columbian Theatre Foundation recently was awarded a $17,600 Attraction Development Grant from Kansas Tourism and the Department of Commerce.
The Wamego-based foundation was one of 10 entities statewide to receive over $400,000 in funding to develop new tourism attractions or enhance existing sites. Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe explains what made the Oz Museum an attractive candidate for this funding…
“Number one, this museum is just a gem for Kansas. We liked the idea of making things more interactive. We know that’s what museum-goers want to see,” she said.
Oz Museum and Columbian Theatre Executive Director Clint Stueve says the funds will support a new 24 inch crystal ball for the facility, similar to what’s seen in The Wizard of Oz.
“This is a very welcome blessing and we’re excited to get a crystal ball from the Wicked Witch scene of the film into our exhibit so that our visitors can interact with it and hopefully it’s not as scary as it was for Dorothy. I’m sure it will be great,” he said.
State officials presented the Oz Museum and Columbian Theatre Thursday with the check for the new project.
