10 Museums In Indiana That Are Just Too Weird For Words
By Trisha Faulkner|Published July 10, 2015
×
Trisha Faulkner
Author
Trisha Faulkner is a stay-at-home and work-at-home Hoosier momma. She is a huge advocate of Autism awareness, and loves her beautiful boy more than life itself. She is a native Indiana writer who types her best pieces for Only In Your State between 2-4AM when her toddler finally falls over asleep.
The only thing better than going to a museum is going to a museum that is just weird (or unique). In Indiana, we have a lot of odd, strange, and just downright unique museums. These are the kind of museums you cannot help but want to go check out because of how strange they are.
Located in Central Indiana, the same grounds as the Central State Hospital, at 3045 West Vermont St, Sandusky, is the Indiana Medical History Museum. This museum holds brains dated back to 1899. Researchers at this museum have researched on 100 year old brains of former patients that had mental disorders. If you want to get your weird on, this is the place to be!
At 111 E. Main St., Carmel, is this curious museum of miniature houses. This museum displays a miniature home to the street to intrigue visitors. This is the perfect place to bring your pretty princess or even your growing child who wants to grow up to be an architect. When the holidays are coming up, the owners of the museum put out Christmas displays to go with the season of joy. Exhibits do change about four times a year to keep regulars coming in to see their exquisite designs. Each detail is handcrafted. You can find displays of model homes or log cabins!
Now this museum has a history. First located in Wichita, Kansas, this museum grew out of their home base. The Antique Fan Museum now resides in Zionsville. When they moved to Zionsville, they reopened in July of 2009. Each fan here is unique and intriguing. The Antique Fan Museum is home to over 450 antique fans dating back to the 1800’s! These fans come from places all over the world! This is an awesome museum for you to bring your little, or big, engineers to. There is so much to learn at this amazing museum!
Owners’, Dr. Ted Waflart, interest in musical pieces began in 1973, when he bought and restored a 1907 French fairground organ. This musically magical museum is located in Dale. It houses pieces from the 1800’s to mid-1900’s. If you are musically inclined, this is definitely the place to be!
If you want to learn more about history, 225 N. Washington St, Crawfordsville is the place to be! This museum itself, has history in its name! Who has ever heard of a rotary jail? I know I haven’t! The jail itself opened in 1882 as the first rotary jail in America! How cool is that? The tour includes the rotary jail itself and the sheriff’s house!
Located at 900 Wabash Avenue, Terre Haute, is this historic museum. I know I loved the Victorian era, myself. This museum gives you a glimpse into the Victorian Era and a history of the Clabber Girl makers. Now, what is the Clabber Girl? The Clabber Girl is baking powder. It is one of the oldest brands in America! It is free to get in the museum, but you have to have a group of ten or higher. On display are antique household items and furniture.
Now, I know this is not exactly weird, but I thought to include this one mainly because of how unique it is. Who has ever heard of a RV museum? I haven’t. This place was founded in 1972 as the Recreational Vehicle / Manufactured Housing Heritage Foundation. They rely solely on donations. On this 100,000 square foot space are RV’s and manufactured homes dating back 100 years! Isn’t that neat? The oldest vehicle on display is a 1913 Earl Travel Trailer. They opened twice. Once in 1991 and another time in 2007. This museum is located in Elkhart.
8. Koorsen Fire and Security Museum
The CEO and President of this museum began collecting in the 1970’s. There are more than 700 pieces on display that date back to the 18th century. Bring your little fire-crackers here to see these unique displays. You can find several artifacts that show how early we started our fire safety! This museum is located in Indianapolis.
9. Hallmark Ornament Museum
The Hallmark Ornament Museum is located in Warsaw. On display is this 12,000 square foot building is over 4,000 ornaments. It is free to get in! They even display all of the first issue of Frosty Friend’s ornaments! There is a complete display of Hallmark Keepsakes ornaments. There are also ornaments that date back to 1973. So all of you Christmas lovers need to get over here!
10. Vera’s Little Red Doll House
While I couldn’t actually find a picture of this museum, I still think it’s odd enough to make this list. Vera’s Little Red Doll House is located in Middletown. They opened in 1986. The owners are a mother daughter team. Now, this place is unique! The mother started making dolls in 1972 and puts her dolls on display. The daughter puts her Animal Kingdom stuffed animals on display as well in this quaint little place. This museum has five rooms and more than 2,000 dolls are on display. Bring your little princes to this museum to have a tour of these unique and antique dolls. There are a variety of dolls on display!
There you have it. I suppose Hoosiers are a little on the strange side, but I like to think that is what makes us awesome. Have you ever been to any of these odd museums? Maybe you are thinking about adding one to your list of places to visit? Perhaps you even have one in mind that should have been on this list? Share with me in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
