You know the Carnegie Institute and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, but have you ever visited the Toy Robot Museum in Adamstown or Bill's Old Bike Barn in Bloomsburg? The Tom Mix Museum in Mix Run? The Houdini Museum in Scranton? Pennsylvania's many small museums are easy to miss in an age of instant information and superhighways. After reading Therese Boyd's guide, however, you'll rush to get off the beaten track to find them. Pennsylvania's little wonders are as entertaining as they are educational. Unlike large museums, which display masterpieces of art and other 'important' items, small museums feature objects that would otherwise be thrown away and forgotten everything from spittoons to high button shoes and trolley cars. Some small museums, such as the Richard Allen Museum, serve a serious purpose; others are playful, even eccentric. All offer a fresh perspective on how people have lived and worked. Of the hundreds of small museums throughout Pennsylvania, Boyd concentrates on forty-two she considers well worth a detour. These range from Kready's Museum, where visitors can savor the simple pleasures of a country store, to the Vocal Groups Hall of Fame and Museum, where music fans can listen to 'golden oldies' and pore over memorabilia (including sequined dresses once worn by the Supremes). Boyd's book is a comprehensive, illustrated guide to the best small museums in Pennsylvania. It weaves amusing anecdotes about Boyd's own visits to the museums along with descriptions of their histories and collections. Her guide provides travel directions as well as complete information about each museum's visiting hours, Website, and contact information.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Although the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with its famous Rocky staircase and Thomas Eakins masterpieces, is a must-see for most Keystone State visitors, the rest of the state's museums are largely unknown to outsiders. Writer Boyd has visited small museums throughout Pennsylvania and found 42 she says are worth detouring for; she details these little gems in this handy guide organized by region. In the Poconos, visitors should check out the Houdini Tour and Show, where they can see the padlocks the great escapist used, or Yuengling Brewery, dubbed "America's Oldest Brewery." While trucking through the Alleghenies, drivers might make a pit stop at Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum, a nondescript wooden building that features a range of "elephantania," from plaster elephants to elephant salt and pepper shakers. And in an around Philly, there's the Mummers Museum, which pays tribute to the city's version of Mardi Gras; the Shoe Museum (displaying South African clogs and a size 18 shoe); and more. It's a quirky travel guide that will undoubtedly be a godsend to anyone faced with a long drive on Route 80. 84 illustrations.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
Boyd's book is a comprehensive, illustrated guide to the best small museums in Pennsylvania. It weaves amusing anecdotes about Boyd's own visits to the museums along with descriptions of their histories and collections. Her guide provides travel directions as well as complete information about each museum's visiting hours, website and contact information. --The Gazette News
Boyd's descriptions of the museums (which run no longer than a page or two), combine her conversational writing style and a well-balanced mix of background information, personal observations and anecdotes, and make for a quick and often humorous read. --Robun Crawford, Centre Daily Times
Though her book her first contains all the details and photographs necessary to be a useful guide, Boyd s amusing storyteller s approach to chronicling her visit to each site conveys much more about its subjects, and its author, than a utilitarian tour guide. --Marion Winik, Baltimore Sun
Boyd's descriptions of the museums (which run no longer than a page or two), combine her conversational writing style and a well-balanced mix of background information, personal observations and anecdotes, and make for a quick and often humorous read. --Robun Crawford, Centre Daily Times
Though her book her first contains all the details and photographs necessary to be a useful guide, Boyd s amusing storyteller s approach to chronicling her visit to each site conveys much more about its subjects, and its author, than a utilitarian tour guide. --Marion Winik, Baltimore Sun
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun read!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Best Places You've Never Seen: Pennsylvania's Small Museums, A Traveler's Guide (Paperback)
Even if you never visit any of these museums, this is a fun look at some exceptional places in PA. The author truly captures the enthusiasm of those who want to share their passions for the off-beat or unique with others. The photographs capture the spirit of the museums as well, and really add to the reader's enjoyment.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT ROAD TRIP COMPANION!,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Best Places You've Never Seen: Pennsylvania's Small Museums, A Traveler's Guide (Paperback)
As a proud Pennsylvanian, I love this book! How did *I* not know about a Shoe Museum? (my first stop!) Also, I never knew we had a Jimmy Stewart Museum! This book is an excellent road trip companion! Educational, funny and user friendly! Gas up, pick up your traveling companion, crank up the tunes, highlight your stops, and hit the road! Learn more about Pennsylvania's whimsical past, present and future!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Best Places You've Never Seen: Pennsylvania's Small Museums, A Traveler's Guide (Paperback)
What a great book! It's both fun and educational. Being from Pennsylvania, I especially had a great time reading it. It's inspired me to get in the car and visit some off the beaten path places. Great design! It's more than a travel guide, it's great photos and fun stories. I highly recommend it. Well worth the $.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
|
|
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
