parlor question:

[queenlua]

What's the most niche museum you've ever been to?

(derived from a delightful lunch conversation, in which we discussed some tribal-black-magic museum so obscure Google could not summon it, and a telecommunications museum that apparently is like church: only open Sundays, and a couple very niche artists' museums, etc)

My own answer is probably either the National Ainu Museum in Sapporo, or the Fillmore County Historical Society Museum in Fountain, Minnesota, which punches SHOCKINGLY far above its weight—I was there mostly because I happened to be in the area, and I found myself totally enthralled with all these old musical instruments you were allowed to just... play? and old Civil War diaries you could read with your own two hands? and just so much totally random Americana stuff in a giant room for you to sift through? Delightful.

(Also, while I don't think this makes the cut because it's technically not niche enough, it's so cool I always have to mention it: the Living Computer Museum is an absolute delight; it's packed with a bajillion old computers and you are allowed to play with ALL OF THEM; it's so fun and god I hope they come back post-covid and such...!)

Feel free to answer here, if you so choose! or just save it in your back pocket next time you need entertaining cocktail party discussion-starters :P

ETA (Sept 28, 2022): someone made a Twitter thread to this effect & the replies are great

Comments

[threewalls]

Nicosia in Cyprus has a fairytale museum, open mornings Tues-Sat only. It's a two storey house converted to whimsical rooms, props and enormous books. They have costumes (admittedly for small children, mostly) so you can dress up while you're there. The museum door is within eyesight of one of the military observation towers/bases at the edge of the border between occupied and unoccupied Cyprus, which cuts through the city.

I've also been to a number of museums that are essentially 'history of the theme park you are currently visiting', and my favourite is Efteling's in the Netherlands. It's properly curated with little plaques beside displays and audio-visual presentations, plus one room of topical exhibition.

[queenlua]

ok, both of those sound immensely charming, especially the fairytale one! had a total blast clicking through both their websites, haha.

[threewalls]

Thanks!

This was such an interesting question. There's so many interesting museums out there.