TR Robertson – There are huge art galleries and museums across the nation, but some of the most interesting museums are the tiny, quirky, unusual museums that exist, many centering on a specific topic or event. Some of these museums are as small as a freight elevator and many cover all sorts of weird and wacky subjects. For some, the name of the museum is a give-away as to the subject matter of the museum. At other times, some explanation is needed. For the list of unique museums, you may want to put on your must-see list, I have listed the states alphabetically and the museum with the city it is located in. A short explanation of museums with unique names is also included. I highly recommend you google some of these museums if you are planning on visiting certain states and include these for your itinerary. Some of unique museums listed online are closed due to COVID or other reasons, 99% of those listed here are still open or are opening. Part I will cover the first 25 states alphabetically.

Alabama

The Monroe County Museum in Monroeville has a complete reconstruction of the courtroom from the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird”

Drive-Thru Museum, in Seale, is stacked shipping containers with windows cut out displaying unusual object.

Alaska

The Hammer Museum in Haines has a tribute to hammers throughout time.

Arizona

Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures in Tucson is a tribute to everything small.

Arkansas

The Chaffee Barbershop Museum in Fort Smith has the barbershop Elvis visited when he was inducted into the Army as well as other Elvis memorabilia.

California

The International Banana Museum in Mecca is dedicated to everything banana.

Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia in Burlin.

Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz.

Museum of Death in Hollywood.

Crochet Museum in Joshua Tree.

Hollywood Heritage Museum has an incredible display of movie memorabilia.

Colorado

The May Natural History Museum in Colorado Springs has a large tropical insect display.

Museum of Western Colorado Dinosaur Journey in Fruita.

Delaware

The Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes has tributes to the original European settlements and has the Fiji Merman on display.

Florida

The Coral Castle Museum in Homestead has huge limestone structures throughout the grounds.

Georgia

The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta has a large display of puppets.

Hawaii

Teddy Bear World in Honolulu has a large collection of Teddy Bears.

Idaho

The Oasis Bordello Museum in Wallace is dedicated to the world of bordellos and is in a former brothel.

Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot.

Illinois

Busy Beaver Button Museum in Chicago has large collections of pin-on buttons throughout history.

Indiana

Museum of Oddities in Metamo has over 2,000 artifacts from around the world.

Hall of Superheroes Museum in Elkhart covers 80 years of fictional superheroes and a replica of

The DC Hall of Justice.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Monastery in Munster has unique statues, grottos and shrines.

Iowa

Matchstick Marvels in Gladbrook features matchstick creations, one a Hogwarts replica built with over 600,000 matchsticks.

Hobo Museum in Britt.

Kansas

Museum of Odd in Lawrence has unusual displays like 350 sock monkeys and Elvis’s underwear.

The Oz Museum in Wamego features displays from the World of Oz stories.

Kentucky

Vent Haven Museum in Fort Mitchell features 900 puppets on display.

Louisiana

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum in New Orleans also has displays of voodoo.

Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum in New Orleans.

Maine

The Cryptozoology Museum in Portland displays over 10,000 Bigfoot, Loch Ness and other artifacts.

Maryland

The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore displays the history of Dentistry.

Massachusetts

The Museum of Bad Art in Somerville highlights bad art in all mediums.

Warren Anatomical Museum in Boston.

Amazing World of Dr. Seuss in Springfield.

Michigan

Moist Towelette Museum in East Lansing on the Michigan State University campus has over 1,000 sample towelette packets on display.

The Mystery Spot in St. Ignace.

Minnesota

The Spam Museum in Austin has everything Spam.

The House of Balls in Minneapolis features unique artwork.

Part II will begin with Mississippi and give you unique and vastly different museums you can visit in other states. I recommend printing this out and keeping a copy for references on some of the spots you can add to a visit of other cities to make that visit one to remember.