The Strangest Museum in Every State, Part 1

Can you imagine how excited I was when I came across a Reader's Digest article about the strangest museum in every state?! I love museums and strange museums are some of my favorites. Here are some thoughts about some of the museums in the article. 

California

The article was (allegedly) updated in 2023, but it includes the permanently-closed International Banana Museum. It never reopened after COVID. Rest in peace, Banana Museum. 

Obviously, we need a to name another museum as the strangest in California. Any nominations? All of the museums I've been to in California that I can think of are either A) not strange; or B) permanently closed. 

Georgia

The link in the article is broken, but I did find a proper link for the Vidalia Onion Museum, which I think I would really enjoy. I love that they have an onion field at the museum. That's a nice touch. 

Savannah is on my must-visit list, so hopefully when I make it there eventually, I can add in a detour to the Vidalia Onion Museum. 

Idaho

The Idaho Potato Museum is awesome. I suppose it's also strange. The singing potato family in the cellar is definitely strange. But awesome. If you haven't been to the Idaho Potato Museum, I highly recommend a visit. Be sure to eat in the cafe.

Iowa

Oh my gosh, I want to drop everything and go to Matchstick Marvels! I've read about artist Patrick Acton, but I didn't realize there was a museum displaying his pieces. I would love to see these models in person. Be sure to check out the photos on the In The Works page - wow!

Unfortunately, visiting Matchstick Marvels is going to take a dedicated effort. It's not near any of my planned future destinations. 

Massachusetts

I've been following the Museum of Bad Art for years and thought about visiting when we were in Boston in 2023. But our time was limited and the museum is not in the area where we were staying. Fortunately, I can enjoy the collection online. 

This is the painting that started it all: Lucy in the Field with Flowers. 

Minnesota

I've had the SPAM Museum on my must-visit list for years. I don't like SPAM, but I know I would like this museum. Actually, I haven't eaten SPAM since I was a teenager at summer camp, so maybe I would like it now. But probably not. 

The SPAM Museum is a two-hour drive from Matchstick Marvels. If I ever make it to one, I'm going to visit the other on the same trip. 

Ohio

The story of the Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum is charming. I would definitely enjoy seeing the collections of both Paul and of Frank Parades. 

Both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are on my list for future travels and the Pencil Sharpener Museum is located halfway between the two. I think a visit is actually in my future!

Oklahoma

The American Banjo Museum isn't strange. As I mentioned in a post about quirky museums, it's just specific. It's an excellent museum that I consider one of my all-time favorites. 

The American Pigeon Museum, also located in Oklahoma City, is a far better candidate for this list of strange museums. We loved it. It was delightfully quirky in the best possible way. 

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I'll be back tomorrow with Part 2 of my thoughts about The Strangest Museum in Every State.