11 Most Unnecessary Museums in the U.S.

This is some funny stuff. Any of these Museums sound like fun but who pays for this, please tell not tax payer money? I have to agree with the author that these “are just plain pointless.” If you have seen or visited any strange Museums post a comment, would love to get a laugh! From the article:

1. The Museum of Bad Art: The justification for this one was thin at best when it launched in the early 1990s, but at this point, it’s safe to say that the Internet’s a much better repository of terrible and useless art. Why not use this building to showcase, you know, good stuff?
2. The Museum of Menstruation and Women’s Health: Case in point: This website is devoted to the history of menstruation, for those who just can’t live another month without knowing what tampons were like in the 1940s. Totally random and completely unnecessary.
3. The Washington Banana Museum: It’s a museum. About bananas. Any money you spend getting here is money you deserved to lose.
4. Frank and Jane Clement Brick Museum: It’s literally rooms filled with old bricks. And just in case you want to pop in on a lark, it’s “by appointment only.” I guess brick fans are hardcore people.
5. The Cockroach Hall of Fame and Museum: If you’ve ever wanted to see dead roaches posed in a variety of scenes and costumes, this is the place. Seriously, though: How is there a demand for this kind of thing?
6. Leila’s Hair Museum: Started by a former hairdresser, this Missouri museum is devoted to hair, and features rows and rows of hair wreaths in frames. More than a little creepy.
7. The Hammer Museum: I refuse to believe there are enough different types of hammer — you know, a stick with a weight on the end — to justify the existence of an entire museum dedicated to their history. There are more than 1,500 hammers on display at Alaska’s Hammer Museum, which is 1,499 more than you need to know about.
8. The Giant Shoe Museum: It’s not a giant museum of shoes; it’s a museum of giant shoes. Dedicated to oversized footwear, this oddball museum in Washington ranks as one of the most superfluous in the country.
9. Kansas Barbed Wire Museum: I am sure that the proprietors of this barbed wire museum are wonderful people, but there is no more unnecessary field trip for local schools than a day spent looking at old hunks of twisted metal.
10. National Mustard Museum: This Wisconsin museum has been around for a quarter century, during which time nothing about mustard has changed at all. It’s still yellow and made for hot dogs. That’s it.
11. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum: Don’t let the vaguely normal name fool you: This museum is devoted to paperweights of all shapes and sizes. Pretty? Sure, if that’s your thing. But a museum dedicated to hunks of glass and metal used on coffee tables is a bit much.

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2 Responses to 11 Most Unnecessary Museums in the U.S.

  1. “Bergstrom-Mahler Museum: Don’t let the vaguely normal name fool you: This museum is devoted to paperweights of all shapes and sizes. Pretty? Sure, if that’s your thing. But a museum dedicated to hunks of glass and metal used on coffee tables is a bit much.”

    Dear Sir:
    Generally I am in favor of free publicity for Bergstrom-Mahler Museum when the facts are correct, however, the information you stated as fact on your blog fails to note quite a few important details about Bergstrom-Mahler Museum. A most important fact being that we are accredited by the American Association of Museums (AAM), which means that AAM has recognized our museum’s “commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards, and continued institutional improvement.” It is a time consuming process; read more about it here: http://www.aam-us.org/museumresources/accred/AccredProcess.cfm
    Second, what Bergstrom-Mahler Museum is, is a regional art museum known for its four glass collections, one of which happens to be glass paperweights; you are incorrect in assuming that there are metal paperweights in our collection.
    In addition to our permanent exhibitions, we offer our community three to four temporary exhibitions in a variety of media. Bergstrom-Mahler Museum is also an educational institution offering classes and lectures for people of all ages in everything from glass working to pencil drawing.
    Third, Bergstrom-Mahler Museum has been serving our community for more than 51 years. The museum is funded by a private, incorporated foundation, fund raising efforts and competitive grants.
    Last, our museum is free and open to the public. What a great benefit for any community. As an educator, I am sure you will agree.
    Kind regards,
    Jennifer Bero
    Marketing, Public Relations and Development Director
    Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
    Neenah, WIsconsin

  2. Chris says:

    Jennifer thanks for clarifying. You need to contact the author of the article I am quoting from. Thanks for commenting.
    Chris

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