Context: The above video initially aired on March 24, 2025.
WAMEGO (KSNT) – The OZ Museum in Wamego recently acquired the only surviving house used in filming the tornado scenes in the original 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz.”
The “Tornado House” was put on auction in 2023 and sold for more than $500,000 to a private collector. This private collector contracted with the museum to display the piece for the very first time, and after a year of negotiating, The OZ Museum successfully acquired ownership of the piece to have it on display full-time.
“The OZ Museum has been blessed to acquire the only surviving house used in filming the MGM tornado scenes in the 1939 film, “The Wizard of Oz,”” said Chris Glasgow, curator of the OZ Museum. “The prop was put up for auction a few years ago and the museum contracted with the purchaser to put it on public display for the very first time… and after over a year of further negotiation, was able to take ownership of this piece.”
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Built by Arnold Gillespie at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Special Effects Department, the prop was hand built on a scale of ½ inch to a foot in 1938. The roof of the house has small holes in which wire was strung to make the prop fall and spin through smoke and steam effects as if it were in an actual tornado. Inside the miniature, you can still see the MGM Property tag.
Photo of prop at Oz Museum. (Photo Courtesy/Chris Glasgow)
Few artifacts remain from the original film, making all that survives highly desirable and valuable. This piece was authenticated in 1973 via an affidavit signed by Gillespie during the original sale of the house.
You can see this iconic movie prop now at The OZ Museum located at 511 Lincoln in Wamego. You can learn more about what the museum has to offer by visiting its website by clicking here.
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