The Museum of World Treasures in Wichita is a fascinating museum of world history and ancient treasures from around the world, including the remnants of ancient civilizations, Egyptian mummies, bones of long-lost creatures, and items from the battlefields of World Wars.

History & Mission:

Located in the heart of Wichita, the Museum boasts a diverse collection of unique objects representing many different fields of interest and a wide range of subjects from history to geology.

Founded in 2001 by Dr. Jon and Lorna Kardatzke, the Museum of World Treasures aims to provide an informative gateway to the past that inspires, entertains and educates visitors, as well as encourage lifelong learning. The Museum does this through an array of diverse and interactive exhibits and displays, including specimens from the Age of the Dinosaur, a section of the Berlin Wall, Egyptian mummies and signatures from all of the Presidents of the United States. Located in the renowned ‘Farm & Art Market’ building, a converted former paper warehouse in Wichita’s famous Old Town, the Museum is surrounded by a vibrant mix of shops, restaurants, cafés and other entertainment and is one of the town’s most popular attractions.

Exhibits

The Museum of World Treasures features a diverse collection of unique objects representing a diverse range of subjects and fields of interest from history to geology in an array of informative exhibits.

‘Ivan the T-Rex’ is the Museum’s most popular exhibition, which has been at the Museum for over eight years. The exhibit features a 38-foot model of a skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, including original fossilized bones. Found in the Hell Creek Formation in Harding County in South Dakota, the rock which bore the bones of Ivan the T-Rex also contained bones from Ankylosaurus, Edmontosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, and Triceratops.

‘Form & Function: Making a Living in the Cenozoic’ is a new exhibit that explores the extent of ice coverage around the globe during the Ice Age and life during this difficult time. The display covers three different locations and time periods and the animals that lived in them, namely the Ice Age, the North American Woodland, and the Green River formation. Visitors can view fossils of fish and mammals, some of which are 50 million years old.

‘Transcend: Religious and Royal Art of Asia’ explores the religions of Hinduism and Buddhism across the Asian and iconography used in religious sculpture, showcasing various art and artifacts from various Asian royal dynasties, such as Indonesia’s Majapahit Kingdom.

‘Creating the Crown’ explores European royalty from its beginnings in the Dark Ages through the Medieval and Renaissance periods to today. The exhibit delves into the royal families of the world and major cultural events surrounding these times in history.

‘Romancing the West’ is a fun show that takes a look at how the ‘Old Wild West’ has been romanticized by the media and what western expansion and life on the frontier and was really like there at the time.

‘Treasures from the Grave’ displays an array of objects from Latin and South America, including a case of objects from the original treasure hunters of our time – the Spanish conquistadors. The exhibit examines the value and meaning of pre-Hispanic goods that were buried with famous people and the magnificent artistry of these pieces. Hands-on displays in this exhibit include a magnetic map, an interactive Mayan calendar, and a touch-and-feel display of various objects.

Education

The Museum of World Treasures offers a variety of educational programs for visitors of all ages, ranging from Youth Programs and Field Trips for Children to Family Nights, Internships and Homeschool Family Days. The Museum also has an Education Resource Center where visitors can enjoy workshops, classes, and lectures.

Family Nights are offered on the first Thursday evening of every month from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, while homeschool families and friends can enjoy Homeschool Family Days throughout the year. Internships are offered to scholars and students for a range of positions, including Education Program Facilitators, Exhibits Researcher and Sign Writers, Graphic Designers, Collections Assistants, and Student Rotating Gallery Curators.

Visitor Information

The Museum of World Treasures is located at the Wichita Public Schools on 835 E 1st St N. in Wichita and is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sundays from Noon to 5:00 pm. Guided tours of the Museum are available, and the Museum can be rented for special occasions such as weddings, receptions, and other celebrations. The Museum of World Treasures hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including a Renaissance Celebration, Coffee with the Curator, Fantastic Fridays, Week of Heroes, and Lecture Series.

835 E 1st St. in Old Town, Wichita, KS 67202, Phone: 316-263-1311

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.