Bay City Tribune

A group of parents and home school students from Matagorda and Brazoria counties traveled to Sugar Land on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to visit the Chronicles of Narnia Exhibition at the new satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) at Sugar Land.

The original Central State Prison Farm building, built in 1939, has been renovated over the past several months to become the newest extension of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the closest to Matagorda County.

The 43,000-square-foot facility will be used to host a variety of permanent and traveling exhibitions as well as a wide array of educational programs for children and families in Sugar Land and the surrounding counties.

The museum opened its doors on Oct. 3, along with the Chronicles of Narnia Exhibition, which will run through January 18, 2010.

This dream-like exhibit invites guests into a world where fantasy becomes reality and guides them on a tour of myth, magic and adventure.

Once visitors enter the gates of Narnia, they are welcomed into a room filled with author C.S. Lewis's personal items.

His writing desk, hand-written letters and personal oak wardrobe create a feeling of being in the room where the world-renowned writer created his classic tales.

Next, guests travel through the doors of the wardrobe, past fur coats, and into the wintery world of the stories where they are greeted by falling snow.

Costumes and props from the blockbuster movies from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media are on display, including the jeweled canister of Turkish delight that the witch offers to Edmund.

Weapons, crowns, armor, and a working catapult are just some of the treasures along the winding path that leads you through the scenes of the films.

Children are encouraged to build arches out of blocks, sit on the frozen throne of the White Witch, and create their own coat of arms.

Interactive maps show locations within the world and centaurs stand at attention in the coronation room.

The journey comes to an end in the exhibit gift shop where you can purchase books and souvenirs, and even sample some Turkish delight.

"We all loved it," said Khristin New, a home school parent with the group. "We love Narnia. We've read all of the books, listened to the Focus on the Family audio versions of the stories and seen every movie. We try to look at the stories and relate them back to the stories of Jesus, the way C.S. Lewis intended them. It was a lot of fun. The kids recognized the outfits and the items from the movies, and (my son) loved being snowed on."

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door of the museum. Admission prices are $25 for adults and $18 for children and senior citizens. Anyone interested in special group rates can contact the museum office or visit www.hmns.org.