Wizard of Oz Museum · Museum History · Chapter 1
From a childhood classroom in the Soviet Union to the discovery of L. Frank Baum's American Oz books, these five stories reveal how one lifelong fascination began.
Every museum has a beginning. For the Wizard of Oz Museum, that beginning reaches back long before its collection of rare books, movie memorabilia, and historical artifacts.
As a child growing up in the Soviet Union, I first encountered the Emerald City through a story read aloud by my teacher. I believed it was a Russian story.
Years later, after moving to the United States and rediscovering Oz through my children, I learned about L. Frank Baum's original American books. That discovery opened the door to a much larger world of Oz publishing history and rare-book collecting.
Chapter 1 follows those early experiences, from my childhood memories to the first lessons I learned about identifying collectible Oz books.
Read the Five Stories
Continue the Journey in Person
Discover rare Oz books, historical collectibles, and movie memorabilia at the Wizard of Oz Museum in Cocoa Beach, Florida.
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