Chittenango, New York - L. Frank Baum Oz Museum

Being a fan of L. Frank Baum I was excited about attending a convention nearby that included free time. Arriving in town I was greeted by yellow brick sidewalks but sadly, no museum. Apparently it has been closed and a number atifacts have been relocated to the library. I was fortunate to be able to talk with a number of town folk who are some of the most gracious people that I have had the pleasure to run across. Seeing my disappointment, they directed me to the Chittenango Canal Boat Museum a little ways up the road. I parked and noted that it was closed for an Elderhostel. Before I could even turn around to go back to my car, a museum volunteer offered to open just for me and another couple who pulled in about the same time. She gave us a personal tour and then gave us the freedom to enjoy the grounds and exhibits at our leisure. Wonderful museum and beautiful people. [James Bicker, 07/07/2009]

Not only does the small town of Chittenango, NY have the L. Frank Baum Oz Museum (Mr. Baum, author of the Oz books, was born in Chittenango), but the town also hosts the annual Oz Fest (not to be confused with the hard rock festival put on by man de jour, Ozzy Osborne). This Oz Fest is a 3-day event held in late May/early June. The height of the festival is Saturday, starting with a morning parade, costume contests for kids of all ages, and then a festival. Important to note is the involvement of 3-6 actors who were Munchkins in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. Most famous, perhaps, is Rabbi Meinhart who played the Coroner that pronounced the wicked witch dead, who continues to come and support the event year after year. The parade and festival are free, but you'll want money for some food, souvenirs or amusement rides for the kids. [heidi, 01/04/2003]

I recently visited this town because I was a fan of the Oz series growing up, and I read about it on your website as being the hometown of L. Frank Baum. I was surprised to find in the town the L. Frank Baum Oz Museum and I thought you should know that it exists. It is a small museum (they are expanding into the empty store next door as they have much more memorabilia in storage that they don't have the space to display currently), but if you are a fan of the book(s), then you must make the extra effort to visit it. On the day we went to the town we were disappointed to find the museum closed. When I casually mentioned this to the proprietor of a nearby store, he called up Bill, who runs the museum, who promptly jumped in the shower and opened it for my friend and I! It was a real treat to have him take us through what is clearly a labor of love for him and to hear about the parade and the town.

When you enter Chittenango you'll see a few roadside businesses and then a lot of open space, keep driving on hiway 5 until you get to the little town, you didn't pass it! [Claire Potter, 07/09/2000]

The tiny town of Chittenango, NY, once an Erie canal hamlet, is the home of L. Frank Baum, of "Wizard of Oz" fame. The sidewalks of the town have actual yellow brick roads inlaid into them, so it is possible to follow the yellow brick road to Auntie Em's and other Oz-themed businesses. An annual highlight is a truly wonderful parade which traditionally includes some of the few surviving Munchkins.

I live in the next town over and visited Chittenango last week, and can assure you that the yellow brick roads are present, though dingy and covered with snow and ice. [Roberta Nordheim-Wallace, 01/19/1999]

[RA: Chittenango competes for Wizard of Oz tourists with Kansas City, Liberal and Sedan, KS; Grand Rapids, MI; Aberdeen, SD; and Chesterton, IN.]