The dome structure itself made this re-creation possible. The dome is 4 stories high. That s a good size, open area. That is a very unique advantage of the dome. Its openness helps create the reality.
People walking through are able to forget the building.
Click to Enlarge But converting this Monolithic Dome into a museum wasn t easy. Built in 1979, it originally opened as a sports center and private country club. Its attractions included a bowling alley and a large swimming pool in a precast, rectangular structure connected to the dome. Unfortunately, the center did not succeed and its owners abandoned it. In 1990 when Dr. Edward H. Hammond, president of Fort Hays State University, envisioned the dome s conversion to a new, much needed site for the school s museum, the facility had been abandoned for more than two years.