 Wizard of Oz Tribute
This exhibit was
on display May 1 through June 28, 2006
The Dacotah Prairie Museum announced the opening of a new exhibit: “Wizard of Oz Tribute”. May 1st was the official opening of this display which is located on 2nd floor and remained open through June 28th. It was a “special stop” for the first day of the Oz Festival on Friday, June 9.
This year the two day Oz Festival event consisted of the first day {June 9}
being devoted to several locations around Aberdeen having points of Oz interest. One of these was the Museum and the “Wizard of Oz” exhibit.
The second day of the Oz Festival {June 10} was held at Wylie Park
with a variety of events and activities.
The “Wizard of Oz Tribute” was an exhibit comprised of Oz memorabilia from the many years since the release of the original book by L. Frank Baum in 1900. Marilyn Weishaar contributed her wonderful collection of Marie Osmond “Wizard of Oz” dolls which were the focal point for the introduction display case of the exhibit. Color was also provided by a second group of dolls based on the characters from the “Wizard of Oz” movie and ornaments hand sewn to sell at the Storybook Land Gift Shop. Whimsical ceramic sculptures of the Patchwork Girl, the Ragged Man and Jack Pumpkinhead crafted by Jeanie Severson of Blackhawk, SD, were also included.
 “Wizard of Oz” collectibles from the collection of Bea Premack abounded with lunch boxes, puzzles, masks, card games, music boxes, musical records and embossed glasses. In addition to these media eye-catchers, there were books, books, books. The Wizard of Oz has been re-released and re- illustrated countless times in its 106 year history and translated into numerous
languages and is as popular as ever. Several of the books are early editions from the Museum collection and that of Mrs. Premack which were actually printed in Baum’s time. Several later additions to the book collection include a “Caldacott Winner” for illustration and the official edition released to celebrate the centennial of the book.
Somewhat unique to the “Wizard of Oz” is the number of times that the story has given birth to new interpretations or completely new story lines in recent times. The “Wiz”, a Broadway Musical production of the 1980’s and the popularity of the new Musical “Wicked” provide testimony to the book’s timeless appeal.
To view other past exhibits, please click here. |
