Interesting Museums
Many of you undoubtedly know of or have heard of the Gypsy Journal, and the travels of Nick and Terry Russell in their converted bus. They have some wonderful experiences as they travel all over the United States. Share their travels and experiences at the Gypsy Journal.
Recently, Nick published a list of Odd-Ball Museums that were fascinating, and which we found to be of interest.
In the spirit of traveling our wonderful country and finding interesting things to see and do, here is a list of "different" museums around the country—with permission of the Gypsy Journal.
Mustard Museum — Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
You can learn everything you ever wanted to know, and some things you never thought to ask about mustard, at this fun and quirky museum, which has it’s very own college called, what else, Poupon U!
Spam Museum — Austin, Minnesota.
We’re talking about the original Spam, the meat that won World War II. Find out the history of this canned meat product, and the contributions the Hormel Company made to our nation during the war effort.
World’s Smallest Museum — Superior, Arizona.
At just 143 square feet, smaller than your average motorhome, this museum has an amazing amount of stuff crammed inside, from Indian pottery to antique cameras to mining artifacts.
Tow Truck Museum — Chattanooga, Tennessee.
At the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum you will find a fascinating collection of restored antique wreckers and equipment.
Marsh’s Free Museum — Long Beach, Washington.
You’re guaranteed to have fun here as you see everything from shrunken heads to dinosaur dung, and even a two headed calf! And don’t forget Jake, the Alligator Man!
Mid-America Windmill Museum — Kendallville, Indiana.
You will find over 50 historic windmills on display at this interesting small outdoor museum.
Music House Museum — Acme, Michigan.
This interesting museum near Traverse City is home to the world’s largest collection of mechanical musical devices.
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum — Farmington Hills, Michigan.
This fun museum is home to a fun and funky collection of everything mechanical, from historical and modern arcade machines, sideshow wonders and curiosities to carousels, posters, coin operated kiddie rides and much more.
Leila’s Hair Museum — Independence, Missouri.
And you thought hair was just for brushing! Leila’s Hair Museum displays over 150 wreaths and more than 2,000 pieces of jewelry containing, or made of, human hair, dating before 1900.
Heaton-Bowman-Smith Funeral Museum — St. Joseph, Missouri.
The wicker basket that carried the body of Jesse James from his house to the funeral parlor in 1882 is among the unusual collection of funeral industry artifacts displayed at this unique museum.
National Bird Dog Museum — Grand Junction, Tennessee.
You can see displays of art, photography and memorabilia reflecting a variety of pointing dog and retriever breeds, hunting, field trial activities, and shooting sports covering more than 100 years of sporting tradition at this small town museum.
International Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame and Museum — Jackson, Tennessee.
Dedicated to preserving and promoting Rockabilly Music, this museum’s displays recognize the pioneers of Rockabilly music with stage costumes, instruments, and memorabilia.
National Watch and Clock Museum — Columbia, Pennsylvania.
You’ll find everything from sundials and ancient Egyptian hourglasses to ultra-modern atomic clocks that can measure time in nanoseconds at this surprisingly interesting museum.
Easton Museum of Pez Dispensers — Easton, Pennsylvania.
This small museum displays an amazing collection of the candy dispensers loved by kids and collectors alike.
Bead Museum — Glendale, Arizona.
The Bead Museum tells the story of beads, which have been used as currency, jewelry, and in religious rituals dating as far back as 30,000 B.C.
Many RV folks from all over the country sent Nick their favorite museums to visit, and most of them are shown here for your enjoyment and future visitation.
International Klown Museum — Plainview, Nebraska.
Thousands of clowns, from dolls, porcelin figurines, paintings, even a parade costume.
World Circus Museum — Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Live circus acts in a one-ring tent, old circus train cars, etc.
Bily Clock Museum — Decorah, Iowa.
Located in a house where Anton Dvorak lived while composing his New World Symphony.
Vesterheim Museum — Decorah, Iowa.
Featuring everything Scandinavian.
Prairie Heritage Museum — Chetwynd, British Columbia.
A place that made us feel like museum pieces ourselves—old home appliances like we’d used as young marrieds!
National Hobo Museum — Britt, Iowa.
Memorabelia from many hobos through the years.
Hammer Museum — Haines, Alaska.
More kinds of hammers than you knew existed!
Windmill Museum — Lubbock, Texas.
An extraordinary home to more than 100 windmills. Shows the history of, and differences between, windmills.
Buddy Holly Museum — Lubbock, Texas.
The museum is well-done and honors and celebrates the originality of this talented Texas musician.
Silent Wings Museum — Lubbock, Texas.
Preserves and promotes the history of the World War II military glider program. Presents interesting tidbits on dropping gliders from planes to silently float into enemy territory. (It’s a story not generally told, and worth a look today.) The museum has an interesting website for you to visit.
Miracle of America Museum — Polson Montana.
This several-acre museum has over 20 buildings and everything and anything you could ever imagine! Their website is quite interesting.
Jolly Green Giant Museum — Blue Earth, Minnesota.
Home of the largest Green Giant statue in the world. It is a small museum that contains Green Giant memorabilia. Blue Earth also has Minnesota’s first stained glass window, and Blue Earth is the home of the birth place of the Chocolate Dream—what is now known as the Eskimo Pie.
Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation Museum — Long Beach, Washington.
Learn about history (all the way back to pre-Columbian!). See antique harvesters and stroll actual (test project) bogs. The museum and gift shop are well worth a few hours. They also have an interesting web site.
Barbed Wire Museums — La Crosse, Kansas and McLean, Texas.
There are at least 2000 different patented samples of barbed wire. Did you know barbed wire was called Devil’s Rope? Both of these museums have interesting web sites.
And, finally, a quickie list of still more museums.
Marble Museum —York, Nebraska.
Jello Museum — Leroy, New York.
Dental Museum — Baltimore, Maryland.
Pharmacy Museum — Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Steamboat Arabia Museum — Independence, Missouri
OK, guys and gals, no more excuses. Don't just sit there in the same place all the time. Get out, get moving, and see some more of this wonderful country of ours. An RVer should never claim to be bored or in a rut— travel new and different roads.
Remember that most of the scenic parts of our country are found on the smaller back roads, and not on the Interstates.
So, giddiup, y'all.
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