A new museum opened its doors in April to celebrate the history of massage, the service’s role in world cultures, and its value as a significant healing art and science for all.

The World of Massage Museum (WOMM) in Spokane, Wash., has 10 major collection areas: art and ads, tables and chairs, lubricants, body rollers and body rubbers, vibrators, education and technique, other apparatus, novelty, instructional aids, and library. In addition, there are exhibits about hands and celebrity massage, and a wall of honors.

More than 4,000 objects make up the complete collection in 6,000 square feet of exhibit space. Robert and Judi Calvert, founders of WOMM, have been collecting for nearly 20 years to compile this extraordinary display of objects and documents. The oldest object is a 1,000-year-old jade massage knuckle from China. Other items include paintings, prints and drawings of massage scenes; a massage couch from 1878 and table developments since that time; the first massage chairs to the latest designs; the first hand-cranked vibrators; the first electrical devices from 1902 to all of the modern types in 15 vibrator categories; body rollers from around the world; and liniments, oils, rolling massage creams and lotions.

In addition to the museum, the facility offers therapeutic supplies such as massage oils, lotions, body scrubs, posters, books, videos, hand tools and other supplies for home or the professional massage business.

For more information, call (509) 747-6773 or visit www.worldofmassagemuseum.com.