The Stauths wanted the museum to go beyond the story of their personal travels. The Special Exhibitions Gallery features traveling exhibitions provided by prestigious national and international exhibit sources, plus local exhibitions of art and culture. Browse this schedule to see what exhibitions peak your interest for the coming year and return again and again to the Stauth Memorial Museum to learn about history, art, science and so much more.

In the 1950s, when comics were dominated by action and adventure, slapstick and gags, Minnesota cartoonist Charles M. Schulz dared to confront a lifelong sense of alienation and insecurity by drawing the real feelings of his life and times. His Peanuts characters’ insights on life’s struggles and disappointment have resonated with readers for more than 50 years. Yet Snoopy (who was based on Schulz’s childhood black-and-white dog, Spike) possesses a unique view of the world that stands out to readers, even in the quirky Peanuts cast.

Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace, opening on July 6, 2008 presents Charles M. Schulz’s lovable beagle, Snoopy, as his alter ego, the Flying Ace. The exhibit showcases 40 of Snoopy’s most exciting adventures in his transformed doghouse —now a Sopwith Camel airplane — from the time he faced a deadly bout of influenza to sparring with the Flying Ace’s archenemy, the Red Baron.

A showcase of SNOOPY & PEANUTS© memorabilia will be on display, with games and children’s activities to make this a fun, family summer exhibit. Why drive, stay in southwest Kansas!  

Snoopy as the World War I Flying Ace is toured by ExhibitsUSA, the national touring division of Mid-America Arts Alliance, a non-profit regional arts organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. For information about M-AAA and its other programs, go to www.maaa.org.

A program of ExhibitsUSA, a national division of Mid-America Arts Alliance with the Kansas Arts Commission and The National Endowment for the Arts.

This very popular biannual exhibit features southwest Kansas participants who exhibit in the traditions of how they decorate their homes or businesses for Christmas and/or the Holidays. Over 15 mini-exhibits are displayed by theme or by tradition and are decorated by individuals, clubs and businesses thus bringing the traditions and spirit of “Christmas in Southwest Kansas” to the museum and its visitors. This exhibit presents a fun way to enjoy Christmas, get decorating ideas and share in the joy and wonder that is the season before getting bogged down with all the promotional hype of the Holidays. This beautiful, uplifting exhibit is a must see, memorable experience for all ages.

The fifth annual Illuminated Twilight Tour is scheduled for Monday, December 1, 2008, 6-8:30pm. This is a relaxing evening of lights, music and refreshments to experience this breathtaking exhibit in never seen before illuminated, sparkling, twinkling splendor. Add in a Holiday Wreath Silent Auction and some great door prizes to cap off this fun evening. Please mark your calendar for what should be a festive evening.

Once again, if you live in southwest Kansas we want to invite you to participate in this festive exhibit. Individuals, businesses, clubs, groups are all invited to exhibit! Please call soon to reserve your spot. Reservations are accepted on a first-to-notify basis. Call for more information about showing off your Holiday Spirit or to schedule a tour.

      Collections often begin accidentally, as a person becomes fascinated with an object or a subject. They represent the common ties linking us to family, friends, and our ethnic origins. Ordinary objects often take on special meaning when they become part of a collection. Each time we take things from the world and assemble them into a collection, we give them special meaning. Our dependence on objects is often psychological as well as physical. We usually identify with objects through sight and touch so many collectors enjoy the physical sensation of handling their collections. 

      Some people have mixed feelings about collecting. Some don’t collect anything and some go wild with many assorted collections or just one passion. The collection often becomes more than the sum of its parts. The process of collecting is itself special. It is a creative act that allows us to express ourselves. It can give us a sense of purpose, remind us of exciting or happier times, or make us feel complete. Collecting can be a passionate experience that brings magic into our ordinary lives. With this in mind, most children collect something. Some keep that collection throughout their lives, others move on to new interests.

      Many collectors enjoy the thrill of the hunt so the hunting instinct is strong in collectors. They enjoy stalking and capturing their prey, then displaying the trophy after the chase is over. Many collectors make serious decisions about what they add to their collections as they filter out some objects in search of better ones.

      Collections can also preserve the memory of a person. The loss of a loved one initiates many collections. Just as some people view their collections as part of themselves, others turn to collecting when they have lost a part of their selves through the death of a family member or close friend.

      Another way collectors preserve memories is through souvenirs. Long after the sights and sounds of an experience are finished, souvenirs can bring them back to us. They carry the past into the present. The founders of the Stauth Memorial Museum, Claude and Donalda Stauth, traveled together for nearly forty years. They collected as they traveled especially folk art, tourist pieces, musical instruments, jewelry and much more. Each souvenir was carefully recorded in a log. The permanent exhibit “Around the World” showcases their many souvenirs and is a great example of a collector’s passion!

      If you have a passion for something, have collected a few or a lot of items and are willing to share your collection with museum visitors, please let us know! Collections will be displayed on a first-to-notify basis until the Special Exhibitions Gallery is full. Contact us by phone at (620)846-2527 or by email at stauthm@ucom.net for more information about participating in this exciting exhibit!

The Stauth Memorial Museum hosts many traveling exhibitions PLUS special events throughout each year that we encourage guests to participate and add items to make them more memorable and enjoyable. Below are listed the upcoming exhibitions that we are looking to add items or artifacts to complete or enhance the exhibitions.

Monetary donations to help pay for exhibition rental fees, shipping charges or to promote any Special Exhibition or Event are always gratefully accepted as well. (See Support the Museum for more information) Items are only loaned for the time of each special/traveling exhibition. Museum staff will protect these items with the same care and respect given to all items exhibited at the Stauth Memorial Museum. Temperature and humidity will remain constant and all items will be locked and secured when not open to the public according to Smithsonian Institution guidelines.