I never realized that Washington state had its very own Egyptian mummy celebrity right in downtown Tacoma, so I was eager to check out the Washington State History Museum's latest exhibit "Wrapped! The Search for the Essential Mummy" with my 7-year-old daughter.
Allen C. Mason was a well-known Tacoma businessman at the turn of the last century. The 19th century globe-trotter donated his prized acquisition, an Egyptian mummy called Ankh-Wennefer, to the historical society in 1897. It is this mummy, encased in a splendidly decorated coffin, which sits at the conclusion of this fascinating exhibit.
On the car ride to the museum, I asked my daughter what she knew about mummies. Sadly, her meager knowledge had all been gleaned from Scooby-Doo cartoons. She had a lot to learn and this exhibit was a great introduction. Robyn was equally fascinated and disgusted as we wound our way through the exhibition rooms. She frequently said, "Yuck!" but then refused to budge.
The exhibit reveals how historians are unraveling the mysteries of mummies, using the latest technology while leaving these ancient treasures snug in their wrappings. Each room builds up to the ultimate treasure – the mummy itself.
There is a lot to read, most of which is written way above kid-level, but my daughter enjoyed the multi-media aspects, including short videos showing recent CT scans of mummies, and computer tours through the insides of real mummies. There was enough to touch and do that she was happily pulled from room to room.
The "Scent of a Mummy" display allows visitors to smell various components used in the mummification process including Frankincense, Myrrh, Pine Resin, and Turpentine. One cast of a corpse, naturally mummified by sun and heat, invites visitors to touch it.
Robyn was intrigued by mummified birds, a mummified cat, and even a mummified baby crocodile. She especially enjoyed the section (right before you get to the human mummy) where visitors are invited to take rubbings from ancient tomb carvings and piece other artifacts together like a jigsaw puzzle.
My daughter was awed by the mummified Ankh-Wennefer at the finale and liked searching for various scenes from the Book of the Dead, and varied Egyptian gods and goddesses on the beautiful sarcophagus, as the sign invited her to.
Seven was at the young end for a visitor, but I'm pleased that my daughter now has an understanding of mummies that extends past the dusty unraveling monsters chasing Scooby and the gang with outstretched arms.
IF YOU GO
Where: Washington History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
When: Through Sept. 11. Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the third Thursday of each month, the museum is open until 8 p.m. with free admission from 2 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Adults $8; students (ages 6 through 17) $6; children 5 and under free. Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $25. Admission is free on your birthday.
Contact: 253-272-3500 or 1-888-BE THERE; www.wshs.org/wshm/featuredexhibits/Wrapped.aspx.
Laura Spruce Wight is a Seattle-area freelance writer and mother of two.
