16 Unusual Museums That Show a Different Side of History
I’ve always enjoyed all things odd, quirky, kitschy, whimsical, and campy. I am that road trip companion who will make you stop at weird roadside attractions like the largest ball of yarn or an alien art installation.
But there’s something even more special about strange museums: They make us look at the past differently. From dolls and dog collars to bread, toilets, and even torture instruments, unconventional museums grab our interest in ways traditional ones often can’t. Here’s a peek at some of the weirdest museums worldwide that reveal an unseen part of history.
1. Hair Museum, Turkey
The Hair Museum in Avanos, Turkey, is unlike anything you’ve ever seen—16,000 hair donations weave a colorful tapestry of human connection on its walls and ceiling. Its heartwarming origin traces back to 1979 when a departing friend left a lock of hair for potter Chez Galip.
Others were inspired and began contributing, leaving notes from around the world. Now, this museum showcases strands of every color, texture, and length in a visually stunning celebration of friendship and unity that spans over 40 years.
2. Icelandic Phallological Museum, Iceland
The Icelandic Phallological Museum in Iceland has the world’s largest collection of phalluses (that’s right–the male parts often covered by clothing!), with over 300 specimens from more than 100 different creatures.
You’ll see everything from a colossal 1.5-meter sperm whale to a teeny-tiny 2-millimeter hamster baculum (you’ll need a magnifying glass for that one!). They’ve got hilarious exhibits, a phallus-themed bistro serving treats, and a gift shop overflowing with wacky souvenirs guaranteed to make you giggle.
Read more about Must Stop Attractions Along the Golden Circle in Iceland
3. Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame, United States
Believe it or not, Hollywood used to have a secret museum hidden inside a lingerie store! Frederick’s of Hollywood, a vibrant pink and gray building that housed the once-secret Celebrity Lingerie Hall of Fame.
This museum showcased iconic pieces like a lacy garter belt from Bull Durham and boxer shorts from Forrest Gump. Unfortunately, during the 1992 LA riots, the museum fell victim to looting, losing over $200,000 worth of lingerie, including Madonna’s famous bustier.
4. Museum of Toilets, India
This one-of-a-kind museum, established in 1992 by Sulabh International (a sanitation-focused non-profit organization), takes you on a hilarious and fascinating journey through the history of going to the bathroom! From 3000 BC toilets to modern loos, the museum boasts a collection spanning over 50 countries.
While it may sound funny, the museum has a serious mission: to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene, showcasing the work of Sulabh International in making toilets accessible to all in India.
5. Museum of Death, Thailand
The Siriraj Medical Museum in Bangkok, Thailand, nicknamed the “Museum of Death,” offers a glimpse into the darker side of life. Founded in 1887, it started as a resource for medical education but has evolved into a haunting collection of preserved bodies, forensic exhibits, and medical oddities.
From deformed fetuses to grim crime scenes, it’s a glimpse into the darker side of life, even featuring the preserved body of Thailand’s infamous serial killer, Si-Ouey, for about six decades!
Read more about Must Visit Destinations in Thailand
6. Torture Museum, Czech Republic
Some say medieval justice was served not with lawyers and courtrooms but with iron maidens, thumbscrews, and water torture! If you’re looking for something different (and a bit extreme), visit the creepy cellars of the Prague Torture Museum and explore over 100 exhibits of torture instruments and gruesome practices.
Wax figures depict scenes of torture while chilling audio-visual effects bring history to life. You’ll almost feel the spray of ice-cold water during a waterboarding demonstration or witness a dramatic sword execution!
7. Leprosy Museum, Norway
The Leprosy Museum in Bergen, Norway, housed within the walls of St. Jørgen’s Hospital, is a journey through time and compassion. Dating back to the 15th century, this hospital was a sanctuary for those battling leprosy, shedding light on a misunderstood disease.
Here, learn how Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen made a groundbreaking discovery in 1873, identifying the leprosy bacillus and revolutionizing medicine. Leprosy is still occasionally called Hansen’s Disease today, honoring his legacy!
8. Vent Haven Museum, United States
Have you ever seen a museum filled with hundreds of staring faces, but none are talking? That’s the Vent Haven Museum in Kentucky, the world’s only museum dedicated to ventriloquism!
Founded in 1973 from the personal collection of W.S. Berger, it houses famous puppets like Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Today, the Vent Haven Museum has over 1,145 ventriloquist dummies, 1,500 books, 5,000 photos, and many other cool stuff like letters and playbills.
9. The Dog Collar Museum, England
Believe it or not, a museum in England is entirely dedicated to dog collars! Yep, you read that right. The Dog Collar Museum was founded in 1977 and showcases over 130 collars spanning five centuries.
It traces the evolving bond between humans and dogs, from fierce spiked gear to luxurious statements. Founded in 1977 at Leeds Castle, Kent, it’s a fun trip through history that might just inspire your furry friend’s next accessory (minus the spikes).
10. Museum of Broken Relationships, Croatia
Have you ever wondered what happens to all those mementos after a breakup? The Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia, is where those relics could find a new home!
It all started when a former couple, Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic, were dividing their belongings after a breakup and decided to create a temporary exhibition in 2006. Today, the Museum of Broken Relationships is a smash hit, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.
11. Museum of Bad Art, United States
Forget the Mona Lisa—this museum celebrates arts that are so bizarre, so badly proportioned, or just plain strange. With its first show in 1994, the Museum of Bad Art (MOBA) in Boston, Massachusetts, began as a quirky collection from a guy who found a terrible painting in the trash.
It’s a full-fledged museum with over 600 pieces in its collection. MOBA is the world’s only museum dedicated to the gloriously bad—paintings, sculptures, and creations that are so bad, they’re oddly beautiful.
12. The Bread Museum, Germany
Germany has a museum unlike any other—the world’s first-ever Bread Museum! Founded in 1955 by a father-son entrepreneur duo, the museum is more than just crusty artifacts.
It’s a celebration of the 6,000-year history of bread, an essential part of human culture and civilization. With over 16,000 artifacts (thankfully not actual bread!), this museum tells the fascinating story of bread throughout history.
13. Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum, United States
The Salt and Pepper Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is home to over 20,000 pairs of shakers! Andrea and Rolf, the passionate owners and curators, have amassed this impressive collection over 25 years.
From ancient shakers dating back to the 1500s to modern-day designs, they showcase the evolution of salt and pepper shakers. Ever wondered why some shakers have one hole and others have three? Here, you can see the fascinating world of shaker design, from cultural influences to spice grain sizes!
14. The CupNoodles Museum, Japan
Who could resist 3,000 cup noodle packages at the CupNoodles Museum in Japan? Dedicated to instant noodles and their creator, Momofuku Ando, this museum by Nissin Food celebrates the convenience food revolutionized in 1958.
Learn noodle-making secrets at the Chicken Ramen Factory and try the CupNoodles Park ride for a unique view. Explore global flavors at the Noodles Bazaar, and travel the Noodles Road without leaving Japan!
15. Meguro Parasitological Museum, Japan
Interested in parasites? Well, this Tokyo museum is dedicated entirely to those fascinating (and sometimes horrifying) organisms, with 300 items on display. Established in 1953 by Dr Kamegai, a dedicated parasitologist, the museum stemmed from a desire to educate the public about these misunderstood creatures.
Here, you can learn about their incredible diversity, complex life cycles, and their surprising role in nature. Don’t miss the star attraction: an 8.8-meter tapeworm extracted from a patient who unwittingly ingested a young parasite while eating fish!
16. Museum of Vampires, France
Think Paris is all croissants and cathedrals? Think again! This world’s only Vampire Museum is hidden in a Parisian suburb! Curated by Jacques Sirgent, a self-proclaimed “vampirologist,” this offbeat collection goes deep into vampire folklore and modern culture.
Explore stacks of eerie books, spooky paintings, and even a mummified cat from Père Lachaise Cemetery. Don’t miss rare artifacts like a 19th-century anti-vampire protection kit or autographed photos of iconic Dracula actors.
Sources: CNN, Architectural Digest
