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Cinnamon Girl
February 23rd, 2003, 01:23 PM
I’m reading a book called Main Streets and Back Roads of New England, which is a collection of stories from the television show of the same name. One story dealt with the unusual museums throughout New England. I thought this might be a neat thread to start, as many of us are unaware of what’s out there in our own communities or regions. Also, summer will be here soon and many of us will be taking vacations or going on family trips – you may find an idea or two for an excursion or day trip in here.

So, if you have any museums that you’d like to mention, please do so. :)

Here is a sampling of New England musuems, as mentioned in the book:

Higgins Armory Museum ~ Worcester, MA
Apparently the only one of its kind in the United States, this museum owns several pieces that once belonged to William Randolph Hearst. For more information, go to: http://www.higgins.org/

The Barnum Museum ~ Bridgeport, CT
A museum celebrating one of the greatest showmen of all time, the Barnum Museum boasts a scale model of a five-ring tent, a display dedicated to General Tom Thumb and the famous Fiji Mermaid. For more information, go to: http://www.barnum-museum.org

Brockton Shoe Museum ~ Brockton, MA
This museum has shoes from many different aspects of US history, including colonial, military and modern-day celebrities. Their largest shoe is a size 24 – worn by Primo Cernera, a one-time world heavyweight boxing champion. For more information on this and other Brockton museums, go to: http://www.brocktonma.com/bhs/bhs_mus.html

The Slater Mill Historic Site ~ Pawtucket, RI
The Slater Mill was the first textile mill in the United States (it’s first employees were children) and today is a ‘living museum’ that makes braided rugs. For more information, go to: http://www.slatermill.org/

Lunacie
February 23rd, 2003, 09:48 PM
I saw one this morning on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. It's in Tennessee and it's dedicated to Tow Trucks. The first tow truck ever made was put together there and they have some really cool ones. I'd love to have the money to drive all over and visit off-beat museums like this.

Garnet
February 26th, 2003, 05:30 PM
The Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

It is a great place for circus fans (like me!) & it's where Milwaukee's beloved annual Great Circus Parade starts from.

www.circusworldmuseum.com