The Road Less Traveled

Maryhill Museum

If you are planning travels this summer then I have a few recommendations regarding possible side trips. I've visited each of the following museums and can assure you that it is worth the journey. While exhibitions and collections available for viewing change, the museums in and of themselves will provide you with a plethora of dinner conversation.

If you are visiting Portland, Oregon, rent a car and drive a couple of hours east, past the Dalles of the  Columbia river. There you will find the Maryhill Museum of Art, an extraordinary castle constructed by Sam Hill. Old Sam was the consummate 19th century Robber Baron. Have you ever wondered about the origin of the phrase "what in the Sam Hill are you doing?" Well, this magical place is the origin of that colloquialism. You will not only discover the magnificent castle he built on the banks of the Columbia, but you will also find an amazing collection of works by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin, a fascinating 19th century American and European painting collection, Native American artifacts, stage sets and mannequins from 1946 Theatre de la Mode, and over a hundred unusual chess sets. Apparently, Mr. Hill was a charmer because you will also discover a collection of Orthodox iconographic paintings donated by Queen Marie of Romania. Her Majesty was a friend and adviser and encouraged Hill to turn his riverside mansion into a museum. She even contributed paintings and royal regalia including her crown. Another incredible female admirer was modern dancer and choreographer Loie Fuller. Maryhill's collection includes photographs, costumes and documentary films of her performances. If that was not enough, a full scale replica of Stonehenge is located adjacent to the Castle. Be sure to visit this exquisite accredited museum. Maryhill Museum of Art

Many year ago I visited the Canajoharie Museum and Library with Judy Larsen, then Director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. We were there on behalf of the American Association of Museums and discovered an extraordinary collection in a remote location of western New York state. Since then the museum has undergone a major addition and name change. The new Arkell Museum at Canajoharie presents that marvelous collection of paintings by Winslow Homer. That alone is worth the journey from Albany down the meandering road following the Hudson River. By the way, if you fly into Albany, be sure to visit the Shaker Museum. You'll discover the grave of Ann Lee, an amazing historical figure and founder of the Shaker faith. This was before cell phone waiting parking lots at major airports. I rented a car for the visit and had some time to kill before Judy's flight arrived. I stumbled upon this wonderful museum adjacent to the airport entrance.

Prescott with Thumb Butte in the background

A few years ago, my wife and I traveled to Prescott, Arizona (pronounced like biscuit) to consult with the staff and board of the Phippen Museum featuring the Art and Heritage of the American West. The drive from Prescott through the Dells to the museum site is stunning.

If you stay in Prescott be sure to visit the Palace Restaurant and Grill located in a cowboy era bar. You will enjoy the finest free range steak and delight in wonderful old west artifacts on display in cases around the restaurant. Be sure to ask about the ornate bar. Apparently, the building burned near the end of the 19th century. The good people of Prescott ran into the inferno, picked up the bar and carried it across the road to the courthouse square. Legend has it that they shared drinks at their new outdoor bar and watched the building burn.

I beg you - never pass up a rural road sign promoting a local museum. Four summers ago the Tullos family, minus three grown children, were headed to South Carolina to visit my wife's brother and his family. I noticed one of those brown state tourism signs indicating that the Laurel and Hardy Museum was located a few miles off the highway in Harlem, Georgia. It was late in the afternoon and we planned to overnight in Atlanta. Who needs to sit in a hotel room for an additional hour? We turned off, despite the groans of our sixteen year old daughter. Harlem boasted about a dozen buildings and we found the museum housed in the old Post Office. I peeked in a window and returned to the car shaking my head in disappointment. It was closed. "Another nice mess" I'd gotten us into. Then I heard cries from someone down the street. "Don't leave! Do you want to visit our museum?"  A charming elderly lady happily unlocked the door and provided admission, free of charge.

Oliver Hardy was born and raised in Harlem and as a tribute to their native son the community established a museum. Film props and promotional ephemera filled the small gallery. It was one of the most fascinating hours I've ever spent in such a small space. Be sure to purchase a T-shirt and make a contribution.

I've had the good fortune to spend most of my life around intrinsically valuable objects. The experience of visiting a museum is contrary to our fast paced, "Google it" world. I hope you will slow down a bit this summer and seek out something beautiful, strange and wonderful.

Also, click over to Country Roads Magazine a great regional publication. "My Favorite Objects from our Regions Museums" is featured this month.


Please share one of your unique museum experiences in the comment section of Object and Idea.