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About Me


Although created just over a century ago, the magic of the Wizard of Oz is alive and well.
Fan clubs, movie buffs, gift shops and museums carry the banner into the 2000’s for the L. Frank Baum fantasy. No where is this more true than The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Oz Fantasy Museum in Chesterton, Indiana.
Our history . . . .
In 1973, Jean Nelson moved to Chesterton where she loved being in the heart of the Indiana Dunes. After her children were grown, she had lots of time on her hands. She decided to open a shop to sell craft dolls and dollhouse furniture because she loved the world of fantasy that dolls and dollhouses create. Picking the shop’s name was a challenge. One night, still not sure of a name, Jean dreamt of the Wicked Witch of the West. The next morning she named her shop, The Yellow Brick Road. A perfect name, Jean thought what better avenue could there be to fantasy than a yellow brick road?
When the Yellow Brick Road opened in 1978, the shop had no Wizard of Oz items; it only carried dolls, dollfurniture and miniatures. Then the unexpected happened. Customers asked if she had Oz items for sale. This happened so often that she ordered a few Oz items to sell and soon the store carried more Oz than dolls and doll furniture!
Jean’s own interest in Oz merchandising and collecting increased. She loved the gleeful reaction of adults as well as children when they spied the Oz goods and collectibles.
In 1980, Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, made a surprise visit. She came to see what Chesterton and the fantasy gift shop was all about. When she saw the size, uniqueness and scope of Jean’s own personal collection, Hamilton suggested that Jean open an Oz museum. So, in 1981,the Oz Fantasy Museum was born.
When the Duneland area suffered the effects of the steel mill layoffs and closings in the early 1980’s it was logical for Jean to try to cheer everybody up. On a Saturday afternoon in 1982, she arranged for a few Oz oriented activities and, with the help of several downtown storeowners, held the first Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival. That Saturday afternoon event attended by under a thousand people has grown to the current three-day affair attracting between 80,000 and 100,000 people.
The Yellow Brick Road moved from downtown Chesterton to its own grounds two miles south of town on State Rt. 49. The festival continued to grow and grew to large for Jean to handle, even with the help of a strong committee of volunteers, businesses and civic groups.
In 1991, the Duneland Chamber of Commerce became the official sponsor of the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival.
In 1995, Jean founded the Munchkinland Market Days Festival to accommodate the many people who made their way to The Yellow Brick Road from downtown each year during the Wizard of Oz Festival . Today, the festivals are held concurrently.
Jean has been hailed as the Mother of the Munchkins and honored as Woman of the Year by the Business & Professional Women of Chesterton. Upon her retirement in December 2000, she was honored by the Duneland Chamber of Commerce (now called the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce) with special recognition for creating the ever popular Wizard of Oz Festival held the third weekend of September each year. She still firmly believes in the Yellow Brick Road motto, “ The store where it’s never too late to have a happy childhood”.
Jean sold the Yellow Brick Road January 1, 2001 to Marilyn Zengler. Marilyn is proud that she has been able to not only carry on the traditions of the Yellow Brick Road and Munchkinland Market Days, but to expand upon them.
Visit our online store at www.yellowbrickroadonline.com
Our email address is [email protected]
Please email us with any questions you might have or leave your comments here. We'd love to receive feedback from our customers.

My Interests

I'd like to meet:

    Wizard of OZ fans Judy Garland fans Artists Authors Collectors Fans wanting to donate OZ items to the museum Customers old & new!


If you come into the store or place an order, please be sure to mention that you are a MySpace Friend!
The Munchkins and Festival Characters at Empress Casino circa 1997

My Blog

The Yellow Brick Road Becomes an On-Line Store Only.

Due to economic circumstances beyond our control, we regret to announce that the Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop & Oz Museum will close its Chesterton, IN location on Decemeber 31st, 2008. As of Janua...
Posted by on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 19:51:00 GMT

Karl Slover Honored at The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop’s Christmas Open House this Weekend!

To all of our wonderful customers and patrons of the Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop & Museum.   It is you who have helped us reach the store's 30th Anniversary, we thank you very swee...
Posted by on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:55:00 GMT

Oz Handprint Ceremony

OZ Handprint Ceremony The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop & Oz Fantasy Museum 109 E. Yellow Brick Road (950 N), Chesterton, IN 46304 (219) 926-7048 The Event Specialists P.O. Box 131  3080 E. Coven...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:23:00 GMT

MunchkinLand Market Days Event Schedule

MunchkinLand Market Days 2007 Event Schedule The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop & Oz Fantasy Museum Munchkinland Market Days Held the same days as Lakeshore Festival & Events 26th Annual Wizard ...
Posted by on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 21:20:00 GMT

MunchkinLand Market Days 2007

The Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop & Oz Fantasy Museum Hilton Garden Inn and Chesterton Jewel-Osco Present Munchkinland Market Days September 14, 15 & 16, 2007 on the grounds of The Yellow Brick ...
Posted by on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:22:00 GMT

No Reply from the Yellow Brick Road?

We've received a few requests and messages from people that require a response. Tho its not required that you are our "friend" for us to answer questions or grant requests, it is important to rea...
Posted by on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:13:00 GMT

Elphaba Came to the Yellow Brick Road!

Elphaba from the national tour came into the YBR the other day... Tuesday. Wouldn't you know it, on my only day off this week she comes in! Marilyn said this Elphaba was very nice, and pretty. She sho...
Posted by on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 00:11:00 GMT

NEW Judy Garland Commemoritive Stamp

How many of you rushed out yesterday to your nearest Post Office to buy the NEW Judy Garland commemoritive stamp? With this 12th stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series, the U.S. Postal Service hono...
Posted by on Tue, 13 Jun 2006 13:08:00 GMT

New Record Set!

 New Record Set! We get many phone calls asking how long it takes to go thru the museum and gift shop and it really is hard to say as it depends on you and your group. Typically the museum tour ...
Posted by on Sun, 04 Jun 2006 18:24:00 GMT