Editor’s Note: This is the fifth of a series called “Sunflower Summer Adventures” documenting the summer activities of the Frey Family using the Sunflower Summer App. The app, administrated by Kansas Tourism, provides Kansas families free tickets to more than 200 attractions across the state.
Video:https://youtu.be/6I53g4m5Z1M?si=pwNU_643_eixkt6y
By Chad Frey
Newton Kansan
A plan was hatched for the family to go see a Sunflower Summer attraction nearby that most had never seen, but as life is able to do that plan got hijacked. A heatwave led to lawns not getting mowed during the week, and pushed back to Saturday morning.
With the mercury rising to triple digits again on Saturday afternoon we kicked that original plan to the curb. Much of plan A was outside, and the desire was to stay inside if at all possible.
Plan B came to the forefront quickly – some members of the family had never seen the Museum of World Treasures in Old Town Wichita.
For this Sunflower Summer Adventure we again pointed the van south on I-135.
The Museum of World Treasures, 835 E. First Street, hosts a series of collections of historic artifacts representing about 250 collectors. There we walked through history.
Founded by retired physician Dr. Jon Kardatzke, there is something for about everyone at this museum – a fact highlighted by how each member of the family had a different highlight from the museum.
One son loved Ivan the T-Rex, a full skeleton of a tyranisaurs rex. The wife spotted a jacket like the one her father wore while in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Another son enjoyed seeing a copy of the resolute desk and the signatures of every president. For me, seeing a piece of the Berlin Wall struck my soul.
Also enjoyed was a display of the Wild West, though the omission of the massacre in Hide Park, Newton, was disappointing. All the other big ones were mentioned, though mostly in passing.
Also a highlight was seeing a pair of Egyptian mummies and several sacophogi.
A look at the museum map shows how varied the exhibits are – on the first floor there is a fossil gallery; pieces from ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt; Africa; rocks and minerals; the Cenozoic era; the royal art of Asia; and a piece of the Berlin Wall. The second floor is one filled with artifacts from U.S. wars including the Korean War, Vietnam War, World War I, World War II and the Civil War. Also on that floor is the Hall of Presidents and an exhibit dedicated to the founding of the U.S.
The third floor contains the Wild West exhibit, authors, music, artifacts from the Berlin Airlift, renal space and “Ivan’s Playhouse.”
The late Kardatzke started his collection of historical artifacts when he was 16 years old, and continued to add to it with the blessing of his wife. The couple loved to travel and study history, visiting historical sites and adding to the collection.
As a result of a passion for education the couple started a museum. The current Museum of World Treasures became a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization in 2001. The museum now contains artifacts supplied by more than 250 different collectors.
Admission to the museum is $10.95 for adults (ages 13 through 64) and $8.95 for children (ages 4 to 12). For our family the Sunflower Summer app saved us about $55 in tickets on this day.
