The Mustard Museum in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin calls itself as a little oasis of insanity in a world that makes too much sense.
Opened in 1992, the Mustard Museum is the brainchild of Barry Levenson, who once dedicated his intellectual abilities to the practice of law, and in his own words “sank so low as to become assistant attorney general for the state of Wisconsin.”
Boston Red Sox and the World Series
Levenson’s fascination with mustard began on October 28, 1986 at 2:30 a.m. The Boston Red Sox had just lost the World Series and Levenson was despondent. In reality, the Red Sox were nowhere near a pennant run that year, but that doesn’t matter to a true Boston fan. He wandered into an all-night grocery store and in his bleary state, found himself fascinated with the color and selection of mustards.
Levenson began collecting unusual jars, flavors and tidbits of information in his travels. And when, in 1987 he stood before the United States Supreme Court arguing the case of Griffin vs. Wisconsin, a tiny jar of Dickinson Mustard was in his pocket. Levenson won the case and credits the mustard in his pocket with the success.
Mustards From Around the World
Today, that jar of mustard, along with 5,000 kinds of mustard from around the world, is on display at the museum in Mount Horeb. The collection includes ornately displayed mustard serving utensils, containers and advertising items.
The museum is also the grounds for Poupon U, an esteemed center of higher learning. Alumni status to "poop on you" is granted to anyone who visits the Mustard Museum and truly engages in the insanity of it all.
Here you'll also find the Mustard Mystery Theatre and the headquarters for the National Mustard Day Celebration held each August. It's a holiday not yet recognized by Congress or Hallmark Cards, but Levenson is working on that.
Of course, a large variety of mustards are for sale, categorized by fruit, spirit, garlic, exotic, veggie, herb and French. There’s a mustard-tasting bar, greeting card mustards appropriate for giving as divorce gifts, and the official mustard of the NCAA. There are favorite mustards of Oprah, of Bill Clinton and various sports celebrities.
Where is Mount Horeb Wisconsin
Mount Horeb is a charming little community in south central Wisconsin, about 40 miles from the state capitol of Madison. In addition to the Mustard Museum, Mount Horeb is known for its extensive public display of trolls.
Diana Lambdin Meyer - As at home on her family's grain farm in southern Illinois as she is riding a camel on the Sinai Peninsula, Diana Lambdin Meyer most ...
Join the Conversation