They’re weird and they’re wacky, but they’ve got a charm and allure we can’t help but appreciate. Here’s our picks for the zaniest, looniest, nuttiest made in the U.S.A museums:
1. National Mustard Museum
Mount Horeb, Wisconsin (Moving Soon To Middleton, Wisconsin).
Excuse me do you have any grey poupon? This is one place where you’re all but guaranteed to get a resounding “Yes”. In fact, Mount Horeb’s National Mustard Museum is home to over 5000 mustard varieties, from 50 states and 60 countries around the world.
Squeeze inside and you’ll discover some of the most treasured items from mustard history, including antique mustard pots and vintage mustard advertisements. Next, grab a seat at the famed Mustard Piece Theatre and take in The Spice of Nations, easily, the most groundbreaking piece of mustard cinema of all time.
Let it be said that when it comes to weird museums, this one really cuts the mustard.
2. Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia.
Burlingame, California
Who would have known that those little bricked shaped candies with the funky dispensers could spark a revolution?
From Mickey Mouse to Abraham Lincoln, nearly everyone has had their five minutes of Pez Fame. In fact, when browsing the thousands of PEZ artefacts on display here (the world’s largest collection), you’ll be taken on trip through American cultural history, remembering every fad and fashion along the way.
You can even immortalize yourself in PEZ history, by putting your face on a PEZ dispenser of your own. Sweet.
3. The Spam Museum
Austin, Minnesota
Few foods are as revered or as ridiculed as Spam that pre cooked pinkish mystery meat in a can. While its taste is definitely an acquired one, no other meat can claim to have powered the allies to victory in World War Two (our soldiers ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner).
For most of us, Spam is more than just a food, it’s an American Icon. An icon surely worthy of 16,500 square feet of museum space.
Step inside this Spam Mecca (set in the former Harmel Foods factory) and you’ll find decades of the best Spam memorabilia along with vintage Spam advertising and Spam trivia. You can even try your luck at canning your own spam and bring it home in time for dinner. Delicious?
4. Devils Rope Museum
McLean, Texas
It’s guarded our land, defended our countries and kept prisoners in check. It’s only appropriate then that barbed wire should have its own museum.
Crawl inside the wire and you’ll find over 12,000 square feet of barbed history packed into this former brassier factory (sorry no underwire on display). Explore hundreds of flesh tearing samples, discover how barbed wire is made, or go all out and bring in some barbed wire of your own for an appraisal. Yes, you can have your barbed wire appraised!
If you’re still lusting for more barbed wire, head to the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum in La Crosse Kansas. Here, the annual Kansas Barbed Wire Collectors Conference brings close to 100 barbed enthusiasts together each year.
6. Vent Haven Ventriloquist Museum
Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
I speak for myself and others when I say, “this is one zany place”.
Drive into Fort Mitchell, and let ventriloquism history expert and curator Lisa take you on a personal tour through this mad house full of talking heads. Along the way you’ll see everything from clown dummies, to Carter and Reagan dummies (though in that case, it might not be easy to tell the difference).
Vent Haven’s pinnacle display boasts rows upon rows of dummies seated cordially at school desks, staring you in the face. One look and you’ll be... speechless.
6. Liberace Museum
Paradise, Nevada
A museum as eccentric and bizarre as the man himself. If it glitters, shines or sparkles, you’re likely to find it here. Just remember to keep your sunglasses on as you head inside.
Liberace’s personal collection of rare antique pianos, classic cars, jewellery and what might be the flashiest wardrobe of all time, are all here for your personal perusal.
Before you go, stop for a photo in front of Liberace’s famous 9 foot high mirrored grand piano. You may not be able to play like him, but at least you can look the part.
7. Marvin’s Marvellous Mechanical Museum
Farmington Hills, Michigan
This is what happens when a hobby gets out of control.
What started as a personal collection of mechanical knickknacks and nostalgia has become a 5500 square foot museum, packed to the brim with arcade machine madness, side shows and memorabilia. Not one square inch is left unclaimed or undecorated.
The best part of it all, everything from the ancient fortune telling machines to the miniature merry go rounds are in full working order. Interactive exhibitionism at its best.
Whether for adult or kid, this is one marvellous place.
Sam
Author Resource:
Sam Zivot is a blogger and Marketing Manager for Jurnii Car Rentals (http://www.jurnii.com ), America's new travel focused online rental car company. He writes frequently for the Jurnii blog (http://www.jurnii.com/blog ) and enjoys travel in the U.S and abroad.
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