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Shoe Museum

NPR Reviewed Jul 1, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors
Citation-ready fact
The Bata Shoe Museum contains 10,000 shoes.
10000 · shoes
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Citation-ready fact
The museum includes a 5,000‑year‑old wood‑shaped Egyptian shoe.
5000 years · shoe
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The shoes worn by former First Lady Pat Nixon were used at the 1973 inaugural ball.
1973 year · inaugural ball
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Founder Sonja Bata has spent 40 years collecting the majority of the shoes.
40 years · collecting
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Jacki visits the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, a specialized museum containing 10,000 shoes from throughout history. Included in the exhibit is a 5,000 year old wood-shaped Egyptian shoe, and the shoes worn by former First Lady Pat Nixon to the 1973 inaugural ball. The museum's founder, Sonja Bata has spent the past 40 years collecting the majority of the shoes. She says on the surface footwear is an indication of personal taste and style but viewed chronologically shoes can hold the key to human identity.

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