Memories of King Tut: “I saw this when…”

September 14th, 2009

AGO in 1979

Preparations continue to welcome King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs to the AGO for its exclusive Canadian appearance starting Nov. 24, 2009 (starting Nov. 21 if you’re an AGO member). We’ve been thrilled by the positive response here on the blog and on Facebook to our call to share your memories of the 1979 King Tut exhibition. Here’s a few more that have been submitted:

I saw this when I was 6 years old and it made such an impression on me that I can clearly remember the exhibit, especially the golden death mask. I’ve waited 30 years for it to come back! I urge anyone with an interest in history to go see this.

— AlisonK

I remember going with my family to the AGO exhibit in Toronto in 1979 when I was 9. A great experience and it coincided with a class project we did at the same time on Egypt that helped us all to learn more about its history.

— carl

I had a chance to see former King this past winter in Egypt and was amazed by the complexity of the ancient work. If you can make it to the gallery, it’s absolutely worth the trip. Welcome back to Canada King Tut!

— jonmac

I remember seeing the exhibit as part of a school trip in ’79 as an 11 year old – I always had hoped it would return to Toronto but gee I didn’t think it would take 30 years! Anyway better late than never – I can’t wait to see this.

— MontyClift

If you have stories of the 1979 exhibition, please share them in the comments! Here’s some nostalgia from our archives to jog your memory:

Greg

When I was in Grade 4 way back in ’79 some of the King Tut exibit came to Sudbury. My class went to see it @ the Bell Museum, It was a field trip that i never forgot. I will be Going to The AGO to see it again
Greg

When I was in Grade 4 way back in ’79 some of the King Tut exibit came to Sudbury. My class went to see it @ the Bell Museum, It was a field trip that i never forgot. I will be Going to The AGO to see it again
Kim

I was 19 when I went to see the King Tut exhibit in 1979. Tickets were sold out, but I was lucky enough to get some from my employer who could not use the ones he had. Always having been mistified with Egypt, I could hardly wait to get there. I remember vividly walking around the exhibit and being amazed by everything I saw. The workmanship of all the items and jewellry was amazing. Seeing that exhibit was one of the special times of my life. Imagine my joy when I read that it was coming again to the AGO. I bought tickets online and took my husband and 2 daugthers on February 20th. The exhibit was amazing and although I was a little disappointed that the “death mask” was not there, the exhibit was wonderful and well worth going to see. The audio tour was very informative and each item had a plaque to explain what we were looking at. It still amazes me how those ancient Egyptians made all that exquisite jewellry by hand with no modern machinery. My husband and daugthers were equally amazed and could not believe they were looking at things that were over 3000 years old! Congratulations AGO, the exhibit was excellent! Thank you for bringing King Tut to Canada again!!
Kim

I was 19 when I went to see the King Tut exhibit in 1979. Tickets were sold out, but I was lucky enough to get some from my employer who could not use the ones he had. Always having been mistified with Egypt, I could hardly wait to get there. I remember vividly walking around the exhibit and being amazed by everything I saw. The workmanship of all the items and jewellry was amazing. Seeing that exhibit was one of the special times of my life. Imagine my joy when I read that it was coming again to the AGO. I bought tickets online and took my husband and 2 daugthers on February 20th. The exhibit was amazing and although I was a little disappointed that the “death mask” was not there, the exhibit was wonderful and well worth going to see. The audio tour was very informative and each item had a plaque to explain what we were looking at. It still amazes me how those ancient Egyptians made all that exquisite jewellry by hand with no modern machinery. My husband and daugthers were equally amazed and could not believe they were looking at things that were over 3000 years old! Congratulations AGO, the exhibit was excellent! Thank you for bringing King Tut to Canada again!!
Anne Waller

Went with grade 4 class in 1979, and will be going this month. Still have my souvenir t-shirt, obviously it doesn’t fit. Oh well! Fun for show and tell.
Anne Waller

Went with grade 4 class in 1979, and will be going this month. Still have my souvenir t-shirt, obviously it doesn’t fit. Oh well! Fun for show and tell.
Diane Wheatley

I saw the exhibit in ’79 with my (younger) brother and parents – I was 14 at the time and did not appreciate the visit to the full extent. I remember rushing through it with my brother – not stopping to read. I have always regretted this. SO, I am coming to Toronto to see it again. This time bringing two of my own kids (14 and 16) AND my mom. I want her to be able to fully enjoy it this time.
Possibly she can even replace her gold cartuche that my father purchaed at the ’79 show. It was stolen from their home in the 90′s.
I still have my ticket stub from the last show ! I am so glad TUT is back !
Diane Wheatley

I saw the exhibit in ’79 with my (younger) brother and parents – I was 14 at the time and did not appreciate the visit to the full extent. I remember rushing through it with my brother – not stopping to read. I have always regretted this. SO, I am coming to Toronto to see it again. This time bringing two of my own kids (14 and 16) AND my mom. I want her to be able to fully enjoy it this time.
Possibly she can even replace her gold cartuche that my father purchaed at the ’79 show. It was stolen from their home in the 90′s.
I still have my ticket stub from the last show ! I am so glad TUT is back !
Diane F

I was at the 1979 exibit and found it truly remarkable. I purchased a book that contained coloured pictures of everything that was on display. It would have been less than 50 pages and 8 x 11 in size. I had it for many years but can no longer find it. I would love to replace it so if anyone knows who I could write to to obtain a copy it would be appreciated. Thank you for any help you can give me. Welcome back King Tut.
Diane F

I was at the 1979 exibit and found it truly remarkable. I purchased a book that contained coloured pictures of everything that was on display. It would have been less than 50 pages and 8 x 11 in size. I had it for many years but can no longer find it. I would love to replace it so if anyone knows who I could write to to obtain a copy it would be appreciated. Thank you for any help you can give me. Welcome back King Tut.

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