‘Wizard of Oz’ artifacts abound at Brevard museum
“The Wizard of Oz” aficionado Fred Trust took a chance opening a Cape Canaveral museum displaying his massive collection dedicated to the beloved franchise.
This month he’ll celebrate two years of business as visitors from around the world continue to stop by the The Wizard of Oz Museum.
“We are small, but we are progressing because people love what we are showing them,” Trust said. “The fact that we survived and are doing great well, that tells me we are on the right path.”
Or at least the right yellow brick road. Trust is quick to point out although the museum does have some original movie props, the goal is to show guests “the whole universe of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ beginning with the first book.”
He said he owns the first copy of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” on record. He said he bought the book, which was printed on May 23, 1900, at an auction about 15 years ago. Signed by Baum,
Trust said the novel is worth $250,000 — but he considers the book “priceless.”
His love for “The Wizard of Oz” began while attending elementary school in his native Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic. Over the years his collection has grown to include: An August 1938 copy of the movie script, a waist-length reddish fox-raccoon jacket owned by Judy Garland, monogrammed with her initials JG and an oil painting by artist Natalia Babi of China Girl from the 2013 Disney movie “Oz the Great and Powerful.”
The 4,500-square-foot facility has more than doubled the amount of display cabinets since opening. There are 46 cases filled with board games, figurines, masks, plates, autographed photos, costumes, plush dolls, posters, sheet music, even vintage collectible soaps shaped like the movie characters. Some artifacts date back to 1850.
There’s also a life-sized Wicked Witch of the West and a trio of flying monkeys. Guests can use their smart phone to scan a QR code for an audio tour.
Adjacent to the displays is a 2,000square-foot room that features an immersive experience inspired by Vincent van Gogh. The roughly 30-minute show includes seven different scenes that transport guests into the world of “The Wizard of Oz.”
An additional scene is expected to be added next month.
Trust said guests of all ages often to come to the museum dressed in character. They start skipping as soon as they see the yellow brick road painted on the ground leading to the museum’s front doors and take pictures with the various props and memorabilia inside.
“I have seen a 70-year-old lady dressed up and a 2-year-old girl who came in dressed up as Dorothy,” Trust said. “A 90-year-old in a wheelchair got up and started walking down the yellow brick road. That’s what they grew up with, they become children again.”