Background
more of my blog postings this one is a travelogue about Quirky U.S. museums I have visited.
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Quirky U.S.  Museum Tours
National Park Journeys
https://wp.me/p7NAzO-2Zz
I am a big fan of quirky, unusual museums.  in 2016, my wife and I drove across the country to celebrate my retirement from the U.S. Foreign Service, We covered 10,000 miles in three months hitting 35 States and seeing the sights along the way.
Rapid City Nowhere
In the summer of 2016,
We drove across the country
Just the wife and me
to celebrate
my retirement
from 27 Years
serving the country
as a diplomat
10,000 miles
35 states
Three months
on the road
I now know
why people don't live
In South Dakota.
Hot, dry dusty
Windy as hell.
Black Hills are nice
But after seeing Mt. Rushmore
There is not much left to do
Rapid City
did not impress me
Nor did Sioux Falls
And "Wall Drugs"
Well, the free water
was nice
But it is a nothing town
In a nothing state.
On the edge of the badlands
And the Sioux reservation
There is a reason
the Indians live there
No one else wanted the land
And they are
warehoused there
So I drove through Rapid City
And thought that
it is the heart of Trump Land
The land of the forgotten
The left behind
Just another
nothing burger of a State
In the middle of nowhere
Truly flyover country
Potato Museum
On the way to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, we stopped off at the Blackfoot Idaho Potato Museum dedicated to the lowly humble Idaho potato. Well worth the stop.
Co-Pilot provides the details:
The Idaho Potato Museum, located in Blackfoot, Idaho, is a unique destination dedicated to celebrating the history and significance of the potato. Housed in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot, the museum offers a fascinating look into the world of Idaho's famous potatoes1.
Here are some highlights:
Exhibits: The museum features exhibits on the history of potato farming, the growing and harvesting process, and the nutritional benefits of potatoes. You'll also find interesting trivia and educational facts about potatoes2.
Artifacts: One of the standout artifacts is the world's largest potato crisp, recognized by the Guinness World Records3.
Potato Cafe: The museum has a cafe where you can enjoy various potato-based dishes, including baked potatoes with a variety of toppings4.
Gift Shop: There's a gift shop offering unique potato-themed souvenirs4.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM1. It's a fun and educational stop, especially if you're a fan of potatoes!
Wall Drugs
I was not a big fan of the Dakotas. The Badlands were interesting as was the town of Deadwood where we stopped off to drink in the Bar that is legendary where the 19th-century character Wild BIll Hitchcock met his demise cheating at poker â€" hence the famous Deadman's hand Full house8s and two aces. Enjoyed drinking the Wyoming Whiskey which is a recreation of the legendary frontier drink.
We also stopped off at Walls Drug store for their legendary free water pit stop which dates back to the 1920s when they build the freeways across the Dakotas. it is about 90 miles from anywhere.
Co-pilot provides the details:
Wall Drug, located in the small town of Wall, South Dakota, is a famous roadside attraction with a rich history and quirky charm. Established in 1931 by Ted and Dorothy Hustead, Wall Drug started as a small pharmacy offering free ice water to attract travelers during the Great Depression1. This simple idea turned Wall Drug into a must-stop destination.
Here are some highlights:
Free Ice Water: The tradition of offering free ice water continues to this day, drawing in over 2 million visitors annually1.
Dining: Wall Drug features a cafe known for its homemade donuts and 5-cent coffee2.
Shopping: The complex includes a variety of shops selling Western-themed apparel, souvenirs, and gifts2.
Attractions: Visitors can enjoy unique attractions like an 80-foot brontosaurus statue, a shooting gallery, and a mining experience for kids2.
Historical Significance: Wall Drug is not just a store but a piece of Americana, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of the Wild West3.
Wall Drug is open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM2. It's a great stop if you're traveling through South Dakota, especially if you're visiting the nearby Badlands National Park.
Corn Palace Museum
Another interesting stop along the way was the Corn Palace Museum in Mitchel, South Dakota outside of Sioux City, South Dakota.   Another Mitchel attraction we did not stop off at was the George Mc Govern library honoring the late Senator George Mc Govern who famously lost to Richard Nixon in 1974 electoral wipe out, losing 49 states. . He was one the last of the great midwestern progressive populists which was a thing in the 20's to the 80's before the Republican party became too conservative for political leaders like Mc Govern.
Co-Piot has the details:
The Corn Palace, located in Mitchell, South Dakota, is a unique and iconic landmark known for its stunning murals made entirely from corn and other grains. Here are some key highlights:
History: The Corn Palace was originally built in 1892 to showcase the rich agricultural heritage of South Dakota and to encourage settlement in the area1.
Murals: Each year, the Corn Palace is redecorated with new murals, using thousands of bushels of corn, grains, and native grasses. These murals depict various themes and are a major attraction2.
Tours: The Corn Palace offers free guided tours during the summer months, where visitors can learn about the history and the intricate process of creating the corn murals3.
Events: The Corn Palace also hosts a variety of events, including concerts, sports events, and the annual Corn Palace Festival1.
Admission: Visiting the Corn Palace is free, making it an accessible and enjoyable stop for travelers2.
The Corn Palace is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from Memorial Day through Labor Day when the new murals are on display2.
1cornpalace.com2cornpalace.com3cornpalace.com4bing.com5southdakota.com6twitter.com
Visiting " Mitchell Corn Palace, SD
https://www.cornpalace.com/31/Visiting
library.dwu.edu
McGovern Library
1200 W University Ave, Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-2618
Open · Closes 4 PM
22 Tripadvisor reviews
Add photos
Website
Directions
Admissions
Fees
Home - McGovern Library - McGovern Library at Dakota Wesleyan ...
WEB May 31, 2024 · Library Hours. Search books, articles, media, and more at McGovern Library and beyond.
Substack
https://jakecosmosaller.substack.com/p/quirky-us-museums?r=3i9lm
https://open.substack.com/pub/jakecosmosaller/p/quirky-us-musuems?r=3i9lm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Medium
View at Medium.com
Wattpad
You just published Quirky U.S. Museums!
Your story can be found here
#museums #travel
Spotify PodcastÂÂ
https://open.spotify.com/episode/26r0J9muwRjxUV8guHnYsr
Quirky U.S.  Museum Tours
National Park Journeys
https://wp.me/p7NAzO-2Zz
I am a big fan of quirky, unusual museums.  in 2016, my wife and I drove across the country to celebrate my retirement from the U.S. Foreign Service, We covered 10,000 miles in three months hitting 35 States and seeing the sights along the way.
Rapid City Nowhere
In the summer of 2016,
We drove across the country
Just the wife and me
to celebrate
my retirement
from 27 Years
serving the country
as a diplomat
10,000 miles
35 states
Three months
on the road
I now know
why people don't live
In South Dakota.
Hot, dry dusty
Windy as hell.
Black Hills are nice
But after seeing Mt. Rushmore
There is not much left to do
Rapid City
did not impress me
Nor did Sioux Falls
And "Wall Drugs"
Well, the free water
was nice
But it is a nothing town
In a nothing state.
On the edge of the badlands
And the Sioux reservation
There is a reason
the Indians live there
No one else wanted the land
And they are
warehoused there
So I drove through Rapid City
And thought that
it is the heart of Trump Land
The land of the forgotten
The left behind
Just another
nothing burger of a State
In the middle of nowhere
Truly flyover country
audio clips
Potato Museum
On the way to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, we stopped off at the Blackfoot Idaho Potato Museum dedicated to the lowly humble Idaho potato. Well worth the stop.
Co-Pilot provides the details:
The Idaho Potato Museum, located in Blackfoot, Idaho, is a unique destination dedicated to celebrating the history and significance of the potato. Housed in the old Oregon Short Line Railroad Depot, the museum offers a fascinating look into the world of Idaho's famous potatoes1.
Here are some highlights:
Exhibits: The museum features exhibits on the history of potato farming, the growing and harvesting process, and the nutritional benefits of potatoes. You'll also find interesting trivia and educational facts about potatoes2.
Artifacts: One of the standout artifacts is the world's largest potato crisp, recognized by the Guinness World Records3.
Potato Cafe: The museum has a cafe where you can enjoy various potato-based dishes, including baked potatoes with a variety of toppings4.
Gift Shop: There's a gift shop offering unique potato-themed souvenirs4.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM1. It's a fun and educational stop, especially if you're a fan of potatoes!
Wall Drugs
I was not a big fan of the Dakotas. The Badlands were interesting as was the town of Deadwood where we stopped off to drink in the Bar that is legendary where the 19th-century character Wild BIll Hitchcock met his demise cheating at poker â€" hence the famous Deadman's hand Full house8s and two aces. Enjoyed drinking the Wyoming Whiskey which is a recreation of the legendary frontier drink.
We also stopped off at Walls Drug store for their legendary free water pit stop which dates back to the 1920s when they build the freeways across the Dakotas. it is about 90 miles from anywhere.
Co-pilot provides the details:
Wall Drug, located in the small town of Wall, South Dakota, is a famous roadside attraction with a rich history and quirky charm. Established in 1931 by Ted and Dorothy Hustead, Wall Drug started as a small pharmacy offering free ice water to attract travelers during the Great Depression1. This simple idea turned Wall Drug into a must-stop destination.
Here are some highlights:
Free Ice Water: The tradition of offering free ice water continues to this day, drawing in over 2 million visitors annually1.
Dining: Wall Drug features a cafe known for its homemade donuts and 5-cent coffee2.
Shopping: The complex includes a variety of shops selling Western-themed apparel, souvenirs, and gifts2.
Attractions: Visitors can enjoy unique attractions like an 80-foot brontosaurus statue, a shooting gallery, and a mining experience for kids2.
Historical Significance: Wall Drug is not just a store but a piece of Americana, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of the Wild West3.
Wall Drug is open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM2. It's a great stop if you're traveling through South Dakota, especially if you're visiting the nearby Badlands National Park.
Corn Palace Museum
Another interesting stop along the way was the Corn Palace Museum in Mitchel, South Dakota outside of Sioux City, South Dakota.   Another Mitchel attraction we did not stop off at was the George Mc Govern library honoring the late Senator George Mc Govern who famously lost to Richard Nixon in 1974 electoral wipe out, losing 49 states. . He was one the last of the great midwestern progressive populists which was a thing in the 20's to the 80's before the Republican party became too conservative for political leaders like Mc Govern.
Co-Piot has the details:
The Corn Palace, located in Mitchell, South Dakota, is a unique and iconic landmark known for its stunning murals made entirely from corn and other grains. Here are some key highlights:
History: The Corn Palace was originally built in 1892 to showcase the rich agricultural heritage of South Dakota and to encourage settlement in the area1.
Murals: Each year, the Corn Palace is redecorated with new murals, using thousands of bushels of corn, grains, and native grasses. These murals depict various themes and are a major attraction2.
Tours: The Corn Palace offers free guided tours during the summer months, where visitors can learn about the history and the intricate process of creating the corn murals3.
Events: The Corn Palace also hosts a variety of events, including concerts, sports events, and the annual Corn Palace Festival1.
Admission: Visiting the Corn Palace is free, making it an accessible and enjoyable stop for travelers2.
The Corn Palace is open year-round, but the best time to visit is from Memorial Day through Labor Day when the new murals are on display2.
Have you ever seen artwork made from such unique materials before?
Learn more
1cornpalace.com2cornpalace.com3cornpalace.com4bing.com5southdakota.com6twitter.com
Visiting " Mitchell Corn Palace, SD
https://www.cornpalace.com/31/Visiting
library.dwu.edu
McGovern Library
1200 W University Ave, Mitchell, SD 57301
(605) 995-2618
Open · Closes 4 PM
22 Tripadvisor reviews
Add photos
Website
Directions
Admissions
Fees
Home - McGovern Library - McGovern Library at Dakota Wesleyan ...
WEB May 31, 2024 · Library Hours. Search books, articles, media, and more at McGovern Library and beyond.
Substack
https://jakecosmosaller.substack.com/p/quirky-us-museums?r=3i9lm
https://open.substack.com/pub/jakecosmosaller/p/quirky-us-musuems?r=3i9lm&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Medium
View at Medium.com
Wattpad
You just published Quirky U.S. Museums!
Your story can be found here
#museums #travel
Spotify PodcastÂÂ
https://open.spotify.com/episode/26r0J9muwRjxUV8guHnYsr