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http://www.theclownmuseum.com/ |
I 1st learned of the museum in May, after reading a profile on it in the Big Cheese Magazine.
http://www.thebigcheesemagazine.com
While I never cared about clowns one way or another, I do however, have a great fondness for irony and general kitsch so this sounded like grade A kitsch-a-palooza.
The grand opening for the museum was May 21st. I finally had the opportunity to visit the museum on August 5th on my way from Minneapolis to Detroit.
I was making good driving time and was debating whether or not to wreck my schedule. I decided that the potential for the museum was far more important than getting to Detroit by any specific time, and took the 30 minute detour to Baraboo, Wisconsin off I-94 (about an hour NW of Madison). Between the driving time there, and back to the freeway, as well as my time at the museum it added 2 hours+ to my trip. But without a shred of doubt, it was worth it. It was even worth the resulting annoyance I had from staying at a fleabag motel in western Michigan (as well as the domino effect from not being able to sleep)!
Located right smack dab next door to the Ringling Theater, The International Clown Hall of Fame, Museum and Research Center occupies the back end of a corner retail complex. Its a little difficult to find if you've never been there before. Apparently, there are signs pointing to it, but I never saw them! But even if you drive aimlessly, without a clue in downtown Baraboo, you're bound to stumble on to it as the downtown area consists of about 4 blocks.
While there, also visit the Circus World Museum.
http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/
I had planned a longer/more comprehensive review, but nobody is paying me for writing, so eh, why bother?
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| Creepiest clown EVER! |
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| A century of floppy shoes |
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| Grandma meet Mummenschanz, in a grudge match fight to the death (I'm assuming) |
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| Red Skelton was a pretty talented artist! |
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| Another Red Skelton Painting |
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| Red Skelton Halloween masks |
