Fort Myers Daily

Tutankhamun: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb. Southwest Florida Museum of History, Downtown Fort Myers

Discover the mysteries and treasures of ancient Egypt when King Tut is resurrected at the Southwest Florida Museum of History in the much-anticipated exhibit, Tutankhamun: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, now open.

Journey into King Tut’s tomb and allow hieroglyphs to serve as your guide.  See more than 100 spectacular authentic replicas of his stunning funerary mask, mummification couch, weapons, tools, and more, that were placed within the tomb to help meet the Boy King’s post-mortem needs on his journey to the afterlife.  Learn the story and explore the mystery surrounding the youngest and most recognizable pharaoh ever unearthed in Egypt.  Majesty and mystery unfold in this astonishing exhibit presenting faithfully-reproduced replicas of original artifacts that will never be seen outside Egypt.

Egypt’s mystique remains unsurpassed. Lands divided, conquered, and united were presided over by a succession of Pharaohs for 4,000 years. However, it is what lies beneath that continues to capture man’s imagination. Yet, one Pharaoh whose short life might have passed into obscurity, would emerge 3400 years after his death, revealing the richest treasures and one of the greatest discoveries in history.

Intrepid explorer, Howard Carter and his benefactor, Lord Carnarvon uncovered King Tut’s hidden tomb in 1922. At the tomb opening, Carter followed by Carnarvon, peered through the broken seal of the door stamped with a royal necropolis. When asked by Lord Carnarvon if he could see anything, Howard Carter responded, “Yes, wonderful things.”

Unearthing Tut’s burial chambers and tomb – the only complete royal tomb ever found – was only the beginning of Tut’s story. The mostly intact nature of the tomb (despite early attempts by grave robbers), allowed historians to piece together the life story of the boy king and the 18^th Dynasty. What emerged from Tutankhamun’s tomb was a story of ancient Egypt and his place in it, the politics, the belief in the afterlife and its processes including mummification, the Book of the Dead, and the use of hieroglyphs, as well as a fabled curse and the ongoing mystery surrounding Tut’s death at just 18 or 19 years old.  King Tut has ensured his place in history forever just as he sought immortality in the afterlife.

The majesty of ancient Egypt and the Boy King come to life as guests enter the Museum’s recreated tomb, where authentic replicas  crafted by Egyptians from the Pharaonic Village in Cairo, set the scene for guests to experience the splendor of Tutankhamun’s burial place and learn more about ancient Egypt. Ten years in the making, from those artisans and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this dazzling collection of reproductions highlights some of the most sacred and personal possessions of the King Tut and ancient Egyptian artifacts that will never be seen in one assembly outside Egypt. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to explore the Pharaoh’s tomb and the unique artifacts that were uncovered, in this exhibit presented by the Origins Museum Institute and the SWFL Museum of History Foundation, Inc.

A narrated audio tour for the King Tut exhibit with a featured family/children’s version and an accompanying family activity guide, is available for an additional wand fee of $3 to further enhance the exhibit experience. A printed guidebook in Spanish will also be available. Group and student tours are available but must be reserved in advance. Educational materials including a comprehensive activity guide for students and families are available for free download on the Museum website.

In addition to the popular traveling exhibit, Tutankhamun: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, guests will enjoy the Museum’s many displays and artifacts tracing the prehistoric to present-day history of Southwest Florida, which includes a 1929 Pullman railcar, a replica Cracker House, and 1926 France LaPumper.

The Museum is now open from 10am to 5pm Tuesdays thru Saturdays, and Sundays from Noon to 5pm, but is closed on Mondays. Admission package includes Museum general admission, King Tut Exhibit, and Audio Tour: $12.50 for adults, seniors (65+) receive a $1 discount, students with ID receive the entire package for only $8.50.

The Museum has scheduled its monthly Author’s Evening for Wednesday, March 24^th at 6 pm to feature the esteemed local Edison State College Professor Adrian Kerr, an Egyptologist and narrator of the Museum’s Tutankhamun exhibit audio tour.  This Author’s Evening will feature Professor Kerr’s multi-media presentation on his archeological work in Egypt and his new book, Ancient Egypt and Us. The event also includes dessert from Mason’s Bakery and is only $10 per person. Reservations are required by calling 239-321-7430 or emailing museuminfo@cityftmyers.com.

Additionally, in support of the Museum’s Tutankhamun: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb exhibit, Professor Adrian Kerr will present a 3-part lecture series and multi-media presentation about King Tut’s life and ancient Egypt. This special series is scheduled for 6:00-7:30 pm on the Tuesday evenings of March 30^th, April 27^th, May 25^th in the Imaginarium’s theater (to maximize seating capacity). Cost is $15 per person per event or $40 per person for the series package of 3 programs. Call 239-321-7430 or email museuminfo@cityftmyers.com for reservations.

For more information about the Museum please call 239-321-7430 or visit our website at www.swflmuseumofhistory.com.

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