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Kansas Underground Salt Museum to Open in 2006

Developers of the Kansas Underground Salt Museum will not let a lack of a visitor's center, parking lot, or bathrooms delay its grand opening this July [Update: Actually, the museum will not open until late 2006 is the latest word]. The Hutchinson, Kansas, attraction will get by with a temporary structure and porta-potties until enough attendance money comes in to complete its above-ground facilities.

Frankly, all that's really needed is already above ground -- the "ready room," where visitors will be prepped to take an elevator 650 feet underground. Once below, they'll travel in golf carts to 24 rooms, exhibits from how "Salt Changed the World" to "People of Salt." The museum occupies a space the size of a football field, built into a salt mine with 67 miles of caverns. Salt has been mined here, continuously, since 1923.

Visitors will see salt wagons and wheelbarrows, pass a vintage underground locomotive, and learn about the explosives and drills used to blast salt from cavern walls. They will tour a replica of the underground vaults Hollywood has used for decades to store original copies of movies, including "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gone With the Wind."

Executive director Jane McCone, in an interview in The Wichita Eagle, described the mine as "like a big parking garage where the air is so fresh and clean."

"We are going to re-create a 1940s theater underground," McCone said, "where the golf cart pulls up to the movie marquee with lights and facade. You will go inside and watch clips of some of those movies."

But first they have to build those bathrooms.

[03/12/2006]

Strataca

Address:
3504 E. Ave. G, Hutchinson, KS
Directions:
Southeast edge of town, at the corner of Airport Rd and G Ave. From the east: US Hwy 50 and then north one mile on Airport Rd. From the north or south: Hwy 61 and then east two miles on G Ave.
Hours:
T-Sa 9-5, Su 1-5; fewer hours off-season. Last tour departs 2 hours before closing. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
620-662-1425
Admission:
Adults $19.
RA Rates:
Major Fun
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