Marlene Wagman-Geller

Apr 12, 2025 by Marlene Wagman-Geller

 

 

The word “museum-” that originated from the ancient Greek word for “place of the Muses-” conjures august institutions such as Paris’ Louvre. However, for those who need a hiatus from days as a “culture vulture” there are quirky alternatives. For a less highbrow pursuit, visit Iceland’s Phallological Museum dedicated to all things penile. After touring the mausoleum, the Taj Mahal, one can take a side trip to the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets that traces its evolution over the past 4,500 years. For those of a more romantic disposition, head to Croatia’s Museum of Broken Relationships. In terms of the offbeat, America has unique attractions.

 

THE PEZ VISITOR CENTER: Connecticut

If you stop by Orange, you can meander through four thousand square feet of space dedicated to all things Pez. The museum’s claim to fame is it is home to the world’s largest Pez display: one made in the shape of a motorcycle. Originally manufactured in Austria in 1927 as a mint to help customers quit smoking, the first dispenser was-surprisingly- made to resemble a cigarette lighter. The product derived its name from the German word for peppermint, pfefferminz. In the Seinfeld episode, “The Pez Dispenser,” Elaine disrupted George’s girlfriend’s piano recital by her raucous laugh at Jerry’s Tweety Bird Pez dispenser. Yada, yada, she broke up with George.

 

GREEN ANIMALS TOPIARY GARDEN: RHODE ISLAND

Where can you go to see Don Quixote, unicorns, and camels? The Portsmouth grounds hold eighty sculptured trees and shrubs situated on an estate that overlooks Narragansett Bay. Perhaps Green Animals is what inspired Stephen King’s topiary animals in his novel The Shining.

 

LIBBY MUSEUM: NEW HAMPSHIRE

For those who love the bizaare, the Wolfeboro beckons. The century-old collection of dentist Henry Libby displays a taxidermist’s delight: a seven-foot-long alligator, a tarantula, and a bobcat. Cultural artifacts are from the Abenaki tribe, colonial-era weapons, a pair of Egyptian mummy hands. Who would not covet the necklace made from monkey teeth?

 

THE SANDERS CAFÉ AND MUSEUM: KENTUCKY
 

If your guilty pleasure is chowing down on a bucket of fried chicken, your Holy Grail may be the museum dedicated to all things Colonel Sanders who, on this hallowed ground, opened his first restaurant. There are two life size sculptures of the founder holding his favorite fowl, as well  as Bertha-the actual pressure cooker he first used- and a pair of wooden shoes Amsterdam bestowed when he visited the Netherlands.

THE WORLD OF COCA-COLA: GEORGIA

For those drawn to the fizz, head out to the origin of the species of soft drinks. The temple to the sugary substance is a 92,000-square-foot interactive museum that draws more than 25 million annual caffeine aficionados. In the 4-D theater, fizzy bubbles pop against visitors’ skin; in the tasting room guests can sip more than 100 Coca-Cola sodas from around the world.

Mob Museum: NEVADA

If your Walter Mitty fantasy is to be a “bad boy” then the Las Vegas Museum that showcases the history of organized crime should be on your bucket list. The artifacts are comprised of weapons, crime boss memorabilia, and a remnant of the wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (replete with bullet holes and blood stains). Liquor is available from the museum’s speakeasy.

Fraunces Tavern Museum: New York City

While taverns have always served ale, more than 200 years Samuel Fraunces-George Washington’s steward- helped sow a revolution. Washington memorial abounds: a lock of the first president’s hair, a fragment of his tooth, and his First Lady’s shoe. With the press of a button, patrons can hear the words from a Washington speech. In a nod to Abigail Adam’s plea to her husband to “remember the Ladies” the tavern displays a portrait of patriot Molly Pitcher who fired a canon after its gunner, (her husband) died at the hands of the Red Coats.

EDGAR ALLAN POE COTTAGE: The Bronx, New York  

Another kind of fascinating experiences are trips to home museums, the former residences of the famous where they truly enter the confessional though photographs, knickknacks, and décor. And yes, poet Poe’s cottage has a raven-a stuffed one who resides in a glass cabinet. The museum’s artifacts are the bed where his wife, Virginia, passed away, a framed mirror, and a rocking-chair.

These offbeat museums may not have Louvre’s Mona Lisa-but for her poorer relations such as velvet art we can take a road trip to Boston’s Museum of Bad Art. 

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