# Best History Museums? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 20, 2014, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809 "2014-05-20T09:46:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/21 "2014-05-20T17:21:08Z")
If you like small, there’s always the [Computer History Museum](http://www.computerhistory.org/) in Mountain View, California. Some day I’ll go back and get there early enough to see them operating the Babbage Engine. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/22 "2014-05-20T18:28:15Z")
Minneapolis has the Mill City museum which is the history of flour milling - its pretty darn good considering its topic is fairly narrow…[http://www.millcitymuseum.org/](http://www.millcitymuseum.org/) There is a museum of medieval criminal justice in Rottenburg ob Tauber that is interesting - I didn’t know a shame flute existed. (The Smithsonian History museum and the Holocaust museum are really good, but they’d been mentioned). ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/23 "2014-05-20T19:02:26Z")
The [Omaka Aviation History Centre](http://www.omaka.org.nz/) in Blenheim, NZ is pretty cool. It focuses on WWI aircraft and airmen. There are a several original planes and some scale recreations. Many of the aircraft are displayed in dioramas that exquisitely detailed. They even have some of Baron von Richthofen’s personal affects. Peter Jackson is on the museum board and much of his personal collection is on display. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/24 "2014-05-20T19:31:57Z")
So many great places. I wish I could travel more. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/59ef9b/32.png) [@FlyingRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRat)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/25 "2014-05-21T19:03:49Z")
> [@cormac262](#): > > Two come to mind: > The A-bomb museum in Hiroshima. Incredibly well done with great displays and artifacts. I am hard pressed to think of another single event of the past century that had such an impact and lasting affect on the world. This is definitely a good one, but I actually think the similar museum in Nagasaki is done a little better. The site is not visited as often but the overall presentation was somehow more effective. **Siam Sam** already mentioned the Tokyo National Museum, which is on the top of my list. The [National Museum of Korea](http://museum.go.kr) is equally as good. I haven’t been there in years, but the [Museum of Frontier Culture](http://www.frontiermuseum.org/) in Staunton, VA is fantastic. It consists of multiple relocated or recreated farms and buildings representing different periods of American settlement and the cultures from which immigrants came, including Ireland, Germany, and Africa. All-around excellent, immersive experience. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/26 "2014-05-21T19:36:57Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > If your ever driving on I-80 between Chicago and Des Monies, stop at the trucking museum. Its short but really good. Do you mean the [Iowa 80 Trucking Museum](http://iowa80truckingmuseum.com/) at the [World’s Largest Truck Stop](http://iowa80truckstop.com/)? I’ve only ever stopped in the main building of the whole thing and that was very early in the morning to get gas. > [@rbroome](#): > > I like the National WW II museum in New Orleans. A relative late-comer to the museum scene, it is doing well. It has a large wing on the Pacific War but covers all theaters. > I don’t think anyone thought it would amount to much-it’s initial reason for existence was the fact that Stephen Ambrose, the history author, taught at UNO and the fact that the Higgins boat was designed and built in New Orleans. But once it started it really took off. I was kind of disappointed in the [National WWII Museum](http://nationalww2museum.org/). It was really dark in there and it didn’t seem to have a lot of exhibits. I’m kind of partial to the battleship museums, especially the [USS Alabama](http://www.ussalabama.com/) and the [USS North Carolina](http://www.battleshipnc.com/). I’ve been to the USS Arizona and it was very moving. I was disappointed with the USS Missouri as they didn’t let us see much. Same with the USS Wisconsin. I’ve also seen the USS Texas, but I’m really not interested in those old style battleships. I have plans to see the USS Massachusetts and the USS New Jersey hopefully this year and the USS Iowa next year. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/27 "2014-05-21T22:57:45Z")
The [Shuttleworth collection](http://www.shuttleworth.org/shuttleworth-collection/aircraft.asp) is worth a look at for anyone who is interested in aviation history. Fifty odd planes, many of them still airworthy, and a lot of vintage cars and bikes as well. It’s an airfield as well and has regular airshows in the summer featuring the planes and others from other collections being flown. Well worth a visit if you’re interested in that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/28 "2014-05-21T23:34:13Z")
I like a lot of the ones mentioned but the most moving for me was the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. The tours are very good and extremely solemn affairs. There are always former WWII soldiers there both American and Japanese. It is freaky to be standing over the USS Arizona on the remembrance platform and still see diesel fuel leaking from its massive tanks to this day (it has leaked since the day it sunk and will keep doing so for many more decades with no way to stop it). That really drives the point home that WWII wasn’t that long ago. Going inside the submarine USS Bowfin is pretty cool too. Laying down in its claustrophobic sleeping bunks made me realize that I would not have been a good candidate for WWII submarine duty but I doubt anyone really enjoyed it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/29 "2014-05-22T02:32:40Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I like a lot of the ones mentioned but the most moving for me was the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. The tours are very good and extremely solemn affairs. There are always former WWII soldiers there both American and Japanese. It is freaky to be standing over the USS Arizona on the remembrance platform and still see diesel fuel leaking from its massive tanks to this day (it has leaked since the day it sunk and will keep doing so for many more decades with no way to stop it). I remember one visit when everyone was all quiet and somber as usual, then a big turtle popped up in the water, and the entire crowd was filled with delight. [The Bishop Museum](http://www.bishopmuseum.org/) in Honolulu is also good. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/30 "2014-05-22T02:45:32Z")
For planes (since there seem to be fans) Udvar Hazy (part of the Smithsonian) by Dulles Airport would be a shame to miss. (Kennedy Space Center was also very good) On the topic of depressing historical WWII events, Dachau is very moving. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/31 "2014-05-22T02:50:40Z")
Oh, places to stop if you are in the area, but not worth going out of your way for: Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior And if you are up that way and into old big historical houses - Glensheen on the North end of Duluth (which isn’t a museum, but seems to fit somehow). There is a whaling museum in the mall in Laihaina on Maui that is pretty darn good if you are bumming around Laihaina. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but its one of those “it would be a shame to miss it if you were there.” And I recall it being free or very cheap. ---
**Author:** ![Tethered\_Kite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a5b964/32.png) [@Tethered\_Kite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tethered_Kite)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/32 "2014-05-22T03:31:21Z")
I really enjoyed the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. The Little Big Horn National Battlefield in Montana was much more impressive than I expected. It stands on the site of the battle where General Custer was defeated by Chief Sitting Bull and a contingent of Dakotah and Cheyenne Indians. There was a building with artifacts and an outdoor seating area where three descriptive talks were given. The speakers were excellent and brought the battle nearly to life. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/33 "2014-05-22T04:34:59Z")
> [@Tethered\_Kite](#): > > I really enjoyed the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. If we’re including natural history, Vienna has a great museum for that too. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/34 "2014-05-22T10:54:07Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Oh, places to stop if you are in the area, but not worth going out of your way for: > > Split Rock Lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior > > And if you are up that way and into old big historical houses - Glensheen on the North end of Duluth (which isn’t a museum, but seems to fit somehow). > > There is a whaling museum in the mall in Laihaina on Maui that is pretty darn good if you are bumming around Laihaina. I wouldn’t go out of my way for it, but its one of those “it would be a shame to miss it if you were there.” And I recall it being free or very cheap. I remember that whaling museum. Very interesting. On Pearl Harbor. What I couldnt get over was how small it was. I was thinking much bigger. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/35 "2014-05-22T10:59:26Z")
British Museum is the best place in the world; I spent a few hours marking exams there last week. I’ve had access to the stuff not on display, and there’s about 10 times as much junk in storage as there is actually available for public view (the Smithsonian storage facility is also mind-boggling). Next best museum is the Johnson Victrola Museum. The EMI Archive has a fantastic storage cupboard, but it’s not open to the public, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/36 "2014-05-22T13:34:26Z")
Three in New England I would highly recommend, especially for families: [The Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH](http://www.strawberybanke.org/) [Mystic Seaport in Mystic, CT](http://www.mysticseaport.org/) [Witch Dungeon Museum in Salem, MA](http://www.witchdungeon.com/) All are interactive and the staff dress for the period. At Strawbery Banke they have restored homes to represent different generations that might have lived in them. For example, one may reflect the original owners in the 1700s and another a family in the 1930s. Questions are encouraged, and the actors stay in their roles when answering. Mystic Seaport is a very large living museum, mostly outdoors and on the water. There are historic games for the kids and many skilled artisans demonstrating historic crafts. Beautiful old sailing ships are docked waterside, plus you can into town afterwards and eat at the real Mystic Pizza. The Witch Dungeon puts on a live witch trial using university drama students. The audience is the jury and can question witnesses on the stand. This one was very immersive and fun! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/37 "2014-05-22T13:53:41Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > On Pearl Harbor. What I couldnt get over was how small it was. I was thinking much bigger. Reminds me of seeing one of the Mercury capsules at the Johnson Space Center. It’s astonishingly small - you could load it up in the back of a pickup truck. It’s mind boggling to think somebody went into orbit in something that small. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/38 "2014-05-22T15:13:36Z")
Can’t believe I forgot the [National Museum of Anthropology](http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php/english) in Mexico City. Another great place. It’s the most visited museum in Mexico. Located in Chapultepec Park, a good place to spend some time. I remember one time I visited, they said the ticket seller was on vacation, so they were letting everyone in for free! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/39 "2014-05-22T15:50:05Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Can’t believe I forgot the [National Museum of Anthropology](http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php/english) in Mexico City. Another great place. It’s the most visited museum in Mexico. Located in Chapultepec Park, a good place to spend some time. I remember one time I visited, they said the ticket seller was on vacation, so they were letting everyone in for free! Huh. That was the English-language site I linked to, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the [Spanish-language version](http://www.inah.gob.mx/index.php). ---
**Author:** ![RickG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rickg/32/5174_2.png) [@RickG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickG)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809/40 "2014-05-22T16:25:38Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > The [Mercer Museum](http://www.mercermuseum.org/), just outside of Philly was regarded by Henry Ford as the only museum in America worth visiting. It is a trip through the wonderful, deranged mind of a madman in the most fantastic way possible. The Mercer is fantastic, but it seems like a bit of a stretch to call it a history museum. There’s not a lot of explanatory material, just a crap-ton of collected bits of American-produced goods and gadgets from the 19th century. The place is also kind of an inaccessible maze of narrow passages and spiral staircases (I am visually impaired, and some parts were a head-bumping nightmare). That said, it’s totally worth a visit, and Doylestown is quite picturesque and charming. I will also second the recommendation of Churchill’s War Rooms in London. We visited them immediately after arrival from the States about 4 years ago, so we were exhausted/jet-lagged, and still found them mesmerizing. On that same trip to England, we went to the [Roman Baths](http://romanbaths.co.uk) in Bath. This is probably the best combination of historical museum and archaeological site I’ve ever been to. Really well done exhibits, beautiful excavations, and even a few living-history presenters in period costume (including extravagant cosmetics) hanging about to answer questions. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-history-museums/688809.md?page=3)