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.

      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.