Fergus Falls

Posted on by
Reply

Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center (Fergus Falls, Minnesota)

A wonderful old Kirkbride-style asylum, built from 1888 to 1899, recommended by Love: “Looking back at its first five and a half years in operation, the Fergus Falls Weekly Journal proclaimed, ‘No State in the union has provided more generously to its wards and unfortunates than Minnesota…Of the fifteen or more public institutions in the state, the greatest, the most complete, the most perfectly constructed, is the state hospital for the insane in Fergus Falls…The hospital here is a model institution…” Intertwined with host community, both city and asylum swelled with local pride. Built to treat mental deficiencies, the state hospital was welcomed by the city as an economic opportunity. Unique among Minnesota institutions in its planning and construction, it existed within an American system already 140 institutions strong by 1880. Influenced by them, along with its own geography, the hospital represents a blending of major treatment and architectural issues within a local construct.”

 

Henry Ford Museum

Posted on by
Reply

Henry Ford Museum (Dearborn, Michigan)

Who would have guessed that the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan would be the home of such incredible morbid goodies as the chair Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre, the limousine that JFK was riding in when he was assassinated in Dallas, and Thomas Edison’s last breath? Certainly not I, but it’s now on my “Must Visit” list! (Thanks to Scott for the suggestion.)

 

Witch History Museum

Posted on by
Reply

Witch History Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)

“The untold stories of 1692 told through an historically accurate live presentation followed by a guided tour downstairs where you will walk thru the forest, meet Tituba in Rev. Parris’s kitchen, visit Old Salem Village and view 15 life size scenes depicting these stories. These and many other stories of Which Times are revealed at the Witch History Museum.” (Thanks to The Mourner for the suggestion.)

 

Salem Witch Dungeon

Posted on by
Reply

Salem Witch Dungeon (Salem, Massachusetts)

“The mood is set from the moment you enter the Witch Dungeon Museum. You are there – in Salem Village in 1692, and you are guaranteed a unique educational experience with a chill or two. You’ll experience the acclaimed performace of a Witch trial adapted from the 1692 historical transcripts. Professional actresses in repertory reenact the electrifying scene.”   Or so the website says…

 

New England Pirate Museum

Posted on by
Reply

New England Pirate Museum (Salem, Massachusetts)

The Mourner recommends this museum: “I had the opportunity to go to the Pirate Museum in Salem, MA (yes, the Witch Trials Salem, the place is full of tourist type stuff like that, including a Witch Dungeon similar to the one used centuries ago). Anyway, they had many other pirate flags and histories, mostly centered around New England. And of all the historical sites I saw there, it was the goriest. I loved it.”

 

Hammond Castle

Posted on by
Reply

Hammond Castle (Gloucester, Massachusetts)

“John Hays Hammond, Jr. built his medieval-style castle between the years 1926 and 1929 to serve both as his home and as a backdrop for his collection of Roman, medieval, and Renaissance artifacts. In addition, the building housed the Hammond Research Corporation, from which Dr. Hammond produced over 400 patents and the ideas for over 800 inventions. Second only to Thomas Alva Edison in number of patents, John Hammond was one of America’s premier inventors. His most important work was the development of remote control via radio waves, which earned him the title, ‘The Father of Remote Control.'” The Mourner has the following to say: “Gothic castle on the ocean created by a real Mad Scientist, has a skull of one of Columbus’s crew on display, a roman tomb and torture devices.” Sounds like fun to me!