Anthony Bourdain once said, “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown,” and that’s a quote that I let guide my own travel adventures. In fact, while on a recent girls’ trip to Columbus, Georgia, we stumbled upon a hidden gem – the Columbus Collective Museums. Whether you’re a museum lover like myself or simply looking for a unique experience, this collective needs to be on your travel must-see list.
The Columbus Collective Museums is located off the beaten path inside a 1946 restored tile and marble company’s warehouse. It houses eight unique museums that have been carefully curated by Allen M. Woodall Jr., a Columbus native, collector, and businessman. His journey towards opening the collective began in 1987, when he acquired two lunchboxes at an antique show in Atlanta. After developing a passion for antique lunchboxes, he amassed enough artifacts to open The Lunch Box Museum in 1990. Then, in 2021, he hired his granddaughter Kaitlynn to help realize his vision for a collective showcasing multiple museums in one place. Since she’s joined the team, the collective has grown to include the Hatcher Family Cola Museum, the Royal Crown Museum, the Nehi Drink Museum, the Tom Huston Peanut Museum, the Georgia Radio Museum, The Car Museum and the Folk Art Museum.
Upon driving into the collective, we were greeted by a large warehouse with a variety of curious objects outside like a hearse, that set the tone for the adventure waiting inside. As we parked and made our way inside, we were instantly greeted by Kaitlynn, who is the type of person who makes you feel like you’ve always known one another. There’s no doubt that she has a deep-rooted passion for her grandfather’s work and that love is infectious as you speak with her. Mr. Woodall was also present and he shared with us that he’s curated “a memory museum” for visitors, which I couldn’t agree with more. It’s inspiring how one man’s love for collecting has transformed into an immersive experience for travelers all over the world.
Words cannot express how inspiring and incredible the collective truly is. Each of the eight museums has a unique personality and vibe, curated to evoke nostalgia for visitors. One of my favorite parts was the Folk Art Museum, which contains local and regional art. Not only can you explore the stories behind the art but you can also purchase a piece to take home, continuing the legacy of folk art. I also loved the Chero-Cola section where you can step back in time to Mr. Hatcher’s pharmacy where he sold his famous Chero-Cola. Joni’s favorite section was by far the Lunch Box Museum, which evoked many joyful gasps every time she saw a lunchbox that she owned as a little girl. Watching the happiness radiate from her as she explored this collection made my afternoon.
I loved every minute of exploring the Columbus Collective Museums and I urge any travelers visiting the Columbus area to stop by! Not only is it a one-of-a-kind experience but it’s the type of hidden gem that deserves attention and recognition.
