** Click here for Episode 179 **
Look, we’re no strangers to shitunusual museums – we drove many miles out of our way to go to the Cumberland Pencil Museum, no less – but Dina from London really is boldly going where nobody else bothers to go unless they’re on a school trip:
Given your clear interest in paperweights last episode, I highly recommend you visit the Paperweight Centre in Yelverton, Devon.
I went there with my boyfriend and we had an awesome time hearing all about the history of the humble paperweight. I even bought one which wasn’t listed in the glassmaker’s catalogue! A one off orange specimen which now resides on my desk in Holborn much at the mockery of my colleagues.
I have never actually used it to weigh down my papers as there is rarely a breeze in my climate-controlled office, however I occasionally play with it when thinking or stare into it when bored. It really is quite mesmerising. I can also confirm that it would be a good weapon in case of attack but as I don’t carry it around in my handbag, and I do not expect to get attacked at my desk, I doubt it’ll ever be used in self defence.
I have now developed a genuine interest in niche museums. The Paperweight Centre is linked with Barometer World, so I look forward to going there next.
Here is a photo of me at the joyous place in question:
Readers. Have you been to a shittermore obscure museum than that? Tell us about it in the comments, so that we – and Dina – can plan our next holidays around it. NB Martin and I visited this one on honeymoon (because nothing says romance better than a nutcracker shaped like Adolf Hitler), so do aim high.
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Answer Me This! Podcast 
June 30, 2011 at 7:11 am |
I’ve been to the Museum of Questionable Medical Devices several times here in the Twin Cities in Minnesota (US). You’d be amazed at the sophistication and level of advancement of everything from blood-letters to phrenology devices. Some truly remarkable stuff. It has since joined the Science Museum of Minnesota.
June 26, 2011 at 12:44 pm |
There’s a scissors museum in Hangzhou.
June 24, 2011 at 12:20 am |
On Peak’s Island in Maine, USA – there is an Umbrella Cover Museum. Just covers. Sadly it was closed the day my sister and I were there but we peered through the window and it’s exactly that – dozens and dozens of empty umbrella sheaths hanging from the walls and ceiling – like a bizarre collection of giant colorful condoms.