Crazy about salt!!  This is how I and the other employees and volunteers at KUSM feel about our underground environment. We welcome the opportunity of going underground to “connect” with the ambiance and love knowing that we are standing in the middle of an ancient Permian Sea.  We understand what the poet Pablo Naruda wrote in his poem “Ode To Salt,” when he said: “I know you won’t believe me but it sings, salt sings.” 

In the Fall of 2010, as Gayle Ferrell, Director of Operations, and I sat in a workshop on how museums and attractions can help guests have a more personal experience, it dawned on us that while we were great at providing an abundance of facts and interesting experiences for our guests, we were not allowing them the time and space to experience the “song of the salt.” We realized that we wanted everyone to have the opportunity to see the underground environment the way that we do. As we discussed our “aha moment” with our management team, a new vision began to emerge. With the help of KUSM’s Chief Curator, Jamin Landavazo, we decided to reorganize the underground tour itself to be more self-driven and sequential.

The first step was to start with the statement “First there was the Salt” and this has lead to a drastic change in the role of the Great Room. We realized that this large and impressive open space was not being used to its full advantage. Since opening in 2007, the Great Room had been used for storage, tram staging, and as a drive and walk through. For much of its existence it was lit in yellow neon but eighteen months ago we installed mine cage lighting to create a sparkly and welcoming feel. In the last year, visitors began walking through the room with a docent, rather than riding through on a tram. These were positive changes, but they still kept the visitors in a group and didn’t give them the opportunity to explore on their own. Gayle, Jamin and I realized that the next step in Great Room development would have to be something entirely different and even revolutionary.

“Don’t lick the salt!” “Don’t touch the salt!” “Don’t pick up any loose salt!” 

This is what we have been telling visitors since day one and for the most part it is good advice so that we can preserve our museum area for thousands of future visitors. But following our epiphany, we asked the question: “How can visitors ‘connect’ with the experience if they never actually get to touch salt and explore on their own?”

“Welcome to the Permian Sea!” This is how guests are now greeted at the bottom of the hoist. They are then given information about how the salt was formed and invited to spend as much time as they wish exploring the Great Room before beginning the “tour phase” of their adventure. We invite visitors to touch a 6,000 pound crystal salt block, and chunk of salt wall.  They can also experience the new “Permian Playground,” an eight foot long trough with three compartments that hold powdery salt fines, road salt and Permian mud traced with red Sylvite. There is also a lot to learn with the Salt Secrets and reader boards about fossils and other information. 

Recently, as she watched engaged families interspersed throughout the Great Room taking pictures, tracing the layers in the salt, studying the Salt Secrets, and digging in salt fines up to their elbows, Gayle observed wistfully, “At last, this looks like a museum!”

The Great Room changes are just the beginning as we continue personalizing the underground experience for you, the visitor. We will keep you informed as we evolve.

Is the salt singing?  You visit and then tell us!