As a self-proclaimed lover of all things mysterious and downright strange, I’ve made it my mission to uncover the weirdest museums around Georgia. This includes unusual spots that have a unique backstory, house creepy objects or offer an experience unlike any other. While this article may not be everyone’s cup of tea, I’m turning to all oddball travelers who enjoy exploring the stranger side of a destination. Here are my top three recommendations of weird museums around Georgia that you need to add to your list!
If you enjoy taxidermy, antique items that give off haunted vibes or just general odd things, The Oddities Museum is the perfect spot for you! Located in Chamblee, Georgia, at Rainy Day Revival, this museum has an incredible collection of artifacts that you can check out through a self-guided tour. The vision behind this shop started with owner Jeremy Gibbs, who always had a fascination with collecting curiosities and unique items. He originally opened up the shop in Little Five Points and even expanded the business at one point to include prop rentals for the film industry. He always had a dream to turn his collection into a museum, which came into fruition after they found a new location in Chamblee with plenty of room to house his extensive collection!
After you park in the lot, follow the sign that says “Buy Weird Stuff” inside to the shop portion of the store. Their gift shop has everything from branded merchandise to insect specimens and more. I recommend saving this part of the experience for last so you can take your time browsing! Museum tickets can be purchased in advance online, so just stop by the counter to check in for your reservation time. At the entrance of the museum, down the hall, make sure you pick up a complimentary map! The museum is divided into specific themed sections, from Circus of Freaks and The Hall of Strange & Unusual Specimens to Weird Science and so much more. On the backside of the map, there’s also a fun scavenger hunt you can complete, which is a helpful way for visitors to take in all of the incredible artifacts. I embarked on this adventure solo so I was able to take as much time as I needed to walk through each of the sections, snap some pictures and really take in all of the oddities. My favorite part of the museum was the Funeral Parlour which contained incredible pieces from funeral homes, caskets, signage and human skeletons. I also really enjoyed a part of the Weird Science section that had a display of pictures from psychiatric wards and an electroshock therapy machine.
Next up on my list of must-see spots is The Big House Museum, which was home to members, roadies and friends of the iconic Allman Brothers Band! It’s located in Macon, Georgia and offers a one-of-a-kind look at how the pioneers of Southern rock lived during the early 1970s together in a communal home. The downstairs portion of the home is divided into various exhibits that include rare items from the band, including instruments, posters, letters and more. The Fillmore East Room is a really unique section that is the original room where ABB would rehearse and is where one of the instrumentals from “Hot ‘Lanta” was created. I recommend taking some time exploring the downstairs portion before heading upstairs! Once you’re ready, take the stairs up to get to my favorite portion of the museum, which is Duane Allman’s bedroom and Brittany Oakley’s bedroom. These rooms have been preserved to reflect how they would have looked during the 70s and include personal belongings! The “Casbah” music room is a unique space where people would come together to chill out, listen to music and relax. It is also home to the famous 7 head shower that legend claims was used by multiple people at a time. Another part that I really enjoyed was Brittany Oakley’s bedroom, which is adorned by bright, colorful wallpaper, her original dollhouse and lots of toys. The beauty behind this museum is that even if you’re not familiar with the Allman Brothers Band, it still offers an incredible opportunity to see how this legendary band lived and worked together in one home. I define this museum as “weird” because it has such a unique backstory and it’s not often that you can literally walk through a specific time in music history.
Rounding out the list is the Crawford W. Long Museum located in Jefferson. Housed in a mid-1800s Pendergrass General Store building, this museum is dedicated to Dr. Crawford W. Long, who was the first physician on March 30,1842 to use ether for surgical anesthesia! Dr. Long enrolled at Franklin College (now known as the University of Georgia) in 1815 at only 14. He graduated five years later and did an apprenticeship under Dr. Grant in Jefferson. He left Georgia to receive surgical training and soon returned to purchase the practice of his former mentor. One of the most unique aspects of his story is that at 26, he made the realization that ether could make surgery painless for patients. He tested his theory when a patient by the name of James Venable asked Dr. Long to remove a cyst from his neck and on March 30, 1842, the operation was a success and painless! I visited this museum with my mom and it was a fun and educational experience. Inside, there’s a recreated 1840s doctor’s office and apothecary shop, along with exhibits on how early medicine was made. There are also personal artifacts and anesthesia equipment that you can explore.
Other notable mentions that you should check out during your tour of Georgia’s weirdest museums are Expedition: Bigfoot! The Sasquatch Museum in Blue Ridge, the Graveface Museum in Savannah and the Lunch Box Museum in Columbus! Whether you’re making a road trip out of it or just interested in finding some unique museums off the beaten path, these locations are guaranteed to pique your interest.
