This Midwest Town Paints the Town “Yellow” With Its Beloved “Mustard Museum”

Did you know there are literally hundreds of different types of “mustard?” Yes, like the condiment?! I didn’t—until I visited the National Mustard Museum, which is just outside of Madison, Wisconsin, in the little town of Middleton. It’s open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is America’s destination for “all things mustard.” 

The unique museum was first opened in the early 90s by a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Wisconsin (turned mustard aficionado), Barry Levenson. He attributes the start of the whole enterprise to his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox, losing the 1986 World Series. In his grief, Levenson found himself wandering the aisles of an all-night supermarket, and joked, when he passed the mustards, he heard a voice saying: 'If you collect us, they will come '- a sort of inspiration for a Field of (Mustard) Dreams. 

As soon as I stepped into the museum, practically everything was yellow colored and/or mustard-themed. I thought the decor was incredibly entertaining. I felt like I was becoming immersed in a tub of mustard.

While I was at the museum, I met with Levenson himself in person for a guided tour of the site. He told me he has, and will continue to, dedicate his heart and soul to amassing the world’s most extensive collection of mustards. I had the opportunity to explore his prized collection of mustard memorabilia, which he has been collecting for decades, after he left his job as a lawyer to devote himself entirely to collecting mustards and mustard memorabilia. His museum now stands as one of the region’s top tourist attractions, and I could see why and appreciate its unique brand of quirkiness. 

I was in awe of the sheer number of different types of mustard and the rich history of mustard to learn about in this museum. I felt that it was an educational experience, a fascinating trip through time, with exhibits that depicted the use of mustard throughout history. In fact, as of 2025, Levenson has officially achieved his goal of creating a home and shrine for the world’s most extensive collection of mustard and mustard memorabilia. The landmark has expanded significantly in the past few decades, outgrowing its previous home and having moved twice.

Personally, I enjoyed learning about how the stuff is grown, made, and its uses in medical history over time. I thought it was exciting to become educated about the ways you can use mustard beyond just as a condiment. One of my favorite exhibits is nicknamed "The Great Wall of Mustard." This display showcases a vast collection of mustards from around the globe, impressive in its sheer size and variety of mustard types.  

Inclusive of those first few mustards Levenson purchased back in 1986, today, the museum collection includes more than 6,500 mustards from all 50 United States (and over 70 countries), and you can take a personal peek at many of them with your own eyes. These artifacts stand alongside the dozens of items of mustard memorabilia, including antique porcelain mustard pots, tins, and jars, vintage mustard advertisements, and details on the history of mustard. At the MustardPiece Theatre on-site, I watched videos about mustard, including a bit of a documentary about its history. At the Curator's Kiosk, I played an interactive game to test my "mustard knowledge" (spoiler alert, I still have a lot to learn).  

The best part of this museum experience for me is that admission is free. I loved visiting this fascinating, quirky museum run by a passionate man who knows more about mustard than I’ll likely ever know about one specific topic. The only catch is that after you see the museum, you’ll have the chance to browse the Gourmet Gift Shop and sample over a hundred mustards and sauces at the free tasting bar.

It’s almost guaranteed you won’t be able to leave without buying some unique type of mustard. My favorite types I tried were the “root beer mustard” (don’t knock it until you try it—it’s a perfect combination of sweet and salty!) and “spicy havarti mustard.” You can buy as many mustards as your heart desires and have them shipped directly to your house so you don’t have to worry about checking a bag if you’re flying home. 

If you're a huge fan of mustard, don't miss "National Mustard Day" in Middleton, which paints the town yellow each year on the first Saturday in August. It's a one-of-a-kind event to attend that dates back to 1991 and has grown from taking up just three parking stalls in front of the original museum, to today, shutting down Downtown Middleton for the day. Thousands of people gather for an exciting street festival showcasing mustard sampling, live music, games and prizes.

If you're already spending a weekend exploring the Madison, Wisconsin area, try this Weekend Adventure created by an AI-Travel Planner for a unique experience. Or, if you love charming small towns and want to go beyond Madison, check out some of these Small Towns In Wisconsin That Are Full Of Charm And Perfect For A Weekend Escape.