# What are YOUR favorite museums? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [July 2, 2024, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612 "2024-07-02T02:45:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/101 "2024-07-10T21:49:12Z")
Well, the **Franklin Institute** was my favorite growing up - we had annual memberships, I took some Saturday morning science classes there, my father did some research in the library. I particularly liked the massive HO scale model railroad they had (long, long gone). I was very disappointed when I went with my kids that they had replaced the big Zeiss planetarium projector (that looked like a giant insect) with a modern projector - I could never convince myself that I was sitting under a starry sky the was I could with the old projector and its pinpoint stars on a field of blackness. Two of my other favorites also have multiple mentions - the **Musical Instrument Museum** in Phoenix and the **Musee Marmatton** in Paris. Not sure if it counts for this thread since it is primarily and archeological site with a museum attached: The **Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor** in Xian, China. Everyone has seen pictures of the famous terracotta warriors and possibly has seen a traveling exhibition. There is nothing like seeing the thousands of statues in situ: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/51714-Terracota-Army.jpg/1920px-51714-Terracota-Army.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/51714-Terracota-Army.jpg/1920px-51714-Terracota-Army.jpg) The **Heard Museum** in Phoenix has a fantastic collection of Native American art (mainly from the Southwest). It also has a heartbreaking exhibit on the “Indian Schools” set up in the late 19th century and run into the latter half of the 20th century to kill off Native culture by assimilation of the children. The **Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya** has probably my favorite collection anywhere - Romanesque frescos from churches in the Pyranees dating from the 11th through the 13th centuries. They were remove from the walls of the isolated and in some cases crumbling churches and remounted in the museum on surfaces whose topology matches that of the original location. [![](https://culturetourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_1858.webp) ](https://culturetourist.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/IMG_1858.webp) [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/%28Barcelona%29_Frescos_of_Sant_Climent_de_Ta%C3%BCll.jpg/800px-%28Barcelona%29_Frescos_of_Sant_Climent_de_Ta%C3%BCll.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/%28Barcelona%29_Frescos_of_Sant_Climent_de_Ta%C3%BCll.jpg/800px-%28Barcelona%29_Frescos_of_Sant_Climent_de_Ta%C3%BCll.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/102 "2024-07-10T22:27:31Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > Around that time I happened to be in London, so I naturally went to Greenwich, where they have [Harrison’s H1, H2, H3, and H4](https://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory/attractions/john-harrisons-marine-timekeepers) clocks. I asked one of the docents where they were, and we got to talking about them. He was apparently impressed by the depth of my knowledge on the subject, because he allowed me to join a private training session for other docents led by the chief curator of the Harrison clocks, during which he was going to wind one of them. That was quite an honor and a pleasure. They did a travelling exhibit at some point. I saw it at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. It had some exhibits on various ways to calculate longitude, reproductions of H1, H2, and H3, and a dial and case from I think) one of Harrison’s later chronometers. It was fascinating. If I do ever get to London, the Royal Observatory is on my list of places to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/103 "2024-07-11T00:28:19Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > **The Museum of Printing** , in Haverhill, Massachusetts. It’s small, and off the beaten path, but I enjoyed it. Thee’s a collection of old bibles from the colonial era, old printing presses, recent typesetting equipment (including a working Linotype machine), photo-typesetting equipment, typewriters, and some rare personal computers. Boston-area dopers should check it out. I went there a few years ago. They were kinda surprised when I knew how to operate the Compugraphic Headliner. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/104 "2024-07-11T00:32:22Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I’ll see your American Visionary Art Museum and raise you one **Museum of Bad Art**. > > I’ve been there. It’s truly awful art. > > [https://museumofbadart.org/](https://museumofbadart.org/) Huh. It used to be in Dedham, in the basement of a movie theater. Did they move it? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/105 "2024-07-11T00:55:30Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > They were kinda surprised when I knew how to operate the Compugraphic Headliner. Doesn’t everybody? > [@Jaycat.again](#): > > Huh. It used to be in Dedham, in the basement of a movie theater. Did they move it? The Museum of Bad Art was in the basement of the Somerville Theater in Davis Square some time ago. I don’t know about Dedham. Actually, I’m not sure if that was the whole museum at the Somerville Theater, or just had some of their works on display. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/106 "2024-07-11T01:05:48Z")
You don’t want a priceless collection like that all in one location. Too much of a risk. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/107 "2024-07-11T01:22:44Z")
Mentions of pop culture reminded me of another museum I really enjoyed: > **[Museum of the Moving Image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_the_Moving_Image)** > > The Museum of the Moving Image is a media museum located in a former building of the historic Astoria Studios (now Kaufman Astoria Studios), in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens in New York City. The museum originally opened in 1988 as the American Museum of the Moving Image, and in 1996, opened its permanent exhibition, "Behind the Screen," designed by Ali Höcek of AC Höcek Architecture LLC. The museum began a $67 million expansion in March 2008 and reopened in January 2011. The expansion wa... I went for the Jim Henson exhibit, but the whole place is really great. And I found it funny that you could look at a Kermit the Frog puppet that was used on Sesame Street, then turn around and walk just a few paces across the hall and be face-to-face with the satanic Linda Blair puppet from The Exorcist. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/108 "2024-07-12T14:30:38Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Not sure if it counts for this thread since it is primarily and archeological site with a museum attached: The **Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor** in Xian, China. Everyone has seen pictures of the famous terracotta warriors and possibly has seen a traveling exhibition. There is nothing like seeing the thousands of statues in situ: > > [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/51714-Terracota-Army.jpg/1920px-51714-Terracota-Army.jpg](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/51714-Terracota-Army.jpg/1920px-51714-Terracota-Army.jpg) I’ve been fascinated with the terra cotta warriors ever since the original National Geographic issue came to our house. I did see the exhibit when it came to Philly. It may be valid but that’s not the way I would use in situ. I always think of the term as meaning it’s exactly how it was found. From the recent documentary on the subject I learned there has only been one figure found intact. All the others were in pieces and reconstructed. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/109 "2024-07-27T19:29:48Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Maybe one similar to this? > > [The Vasa In Stockholm Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle, Nautilus Puzzles](https://nautiluspuzzles.com/collections/modern/products/the-vasa-in-stockholm-harbor-425-pieces) Bumping to say thanks again. I did that one, and another Vasa puzzle which I found during my search. I found the one in the museum also, but that was less interesting. It also led me to a site with 12 million (that’s right, million) puzzles available. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2024, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/110 "2024-07-28T14:11:00Z")
I’ll mention what I think is my favorite museum PIECE. At the [St. Louis Art Museum](https://www.slam.org/) (which I doubt has a collection that anyone particularly envies, but never mind that) they display an unfinished piece from [some artist of some time period - definitely before c. 1880). Being unfinished, the bottom half is just outline/sketches, the top is finished (I assume - the artist wasn’t there for me to ask). Anyway, the subject is three females, presumably the artist’s daughters. One looks like she’s 18/19, one looks like she’s 13/14, the other a preteen. Anyway, the 13/14-year-old is giving the artist a look that I’m sure every father of every girl that age, who has ever lived, has probably seen far too often. I can’t describe the look but if you’re a parent you’ve seen it. Further, the girls aren’t dressed in their finery, as you’d expect of a painting of the upper classes. Nor are they dressed in peasant clothes, as they’d be depicted if the painter were painting lower class girls. They were dressed in … well I don’t know what, not being a fashion historian. Whatever they’d wear around the house on a Saturday, I guess? Like kind of tunic-looking garments, for lack of a better choice of words. Anyway, I like the piece because it’s so REAL. It’s like the artist is taking me to a real moment in his life that isn’t sugar-coated or intended to represent the best of his subjects. It’s them, as they are (or were) on that day when he had a hankering to paint them, and he was telling the viewer “here are my daughters, deal with it.” ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/112 "2024-09-04T10:55:43Z")
All of the Smithsonian Institution and the National Galleries of Art. It is simply astounding that you can just walk in and meander as you see fit. I remember when I first started traveling how jarring it was that you had to pay in other museums (I understand why), but there is something profound about being able just to wander in on your lunch hour. It somehow seems to fulfill an unspoken promise. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612/113 "2024-09-05T01:04:32Z")
I spent a month at Fort Eustis in Virginia. It’s a great area for museums and historical sites. I decided to check out The Mariners Museum without looking into it at all. I had no idea they had brought up large pieces of the USS Monitor including the turret and the artifacts and conservation efforts were on display. It was very nicely done. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-favorite-museums/1003612.md?page=5)