Out & About with Linda
So, it all started with an article I read in the Philadelphia Inquirer, back on September 1
That’s how many of my visits find their way in the Uptight Suburbanite and Carrier Pigeon. I read something. I tear it out, save it… and then re-visit it as something of interest to me and, hopefully you.
The place is called The American Treasure Tour Museum. Located in Oaks, PA in the same industrial park housing the Greater Phila- delphia Expo Center. And YES! it’s all that… a Museum that takes you on a great Tour of American Treasures. This is a MUST-visit collection of all things wonderful in American pop culture. It will take your breath away through its depth and wonder.
The brainchild of a gentleman who demands anonymity, promotional pieces describe the space as 100,000 square feet of a light- hearted adventure through American POP CULTURE. Not sure what that is, but the space is definitely lighthearted, filled with music, bright lights, moving pieces and memories that will sweep you back to your childhood and beyond.
The “gentleman” started filling this space with his car collection and surrounded it with everything else he was collecting. Anima- tronics, porcelain dolls, Wurlitzer organs, nickelodeons, neon signs, posters, record covers, stuffed animals, Chuck E. Cheese and gang actually playing for the crowd, the original Christmas displays in their entirety from such iconic Philadelphia department stores including Lit Brothers, Wanamaker’s and Macy’s, and more. You name it, you’ll find it… somewhere. Well, almost. More of that later.
You enter the building, go upstairs and are invited to stroll through the Music Room and the Toy Room. Tickets are purchased to take a tram ride through the rest of the building… a ride that is accompanied by a pre-recorded explanation of all the “stuff” you’re going to see. The tram driver offers additional commentary as needed. I recommend the tram ride, especially if you’re not a walker. You can certainly experience the wonder and breadth of the collection thanks to this ride. After all, the museum covers 100,000 square feet of EVERYTHING!!
You’ll be surprised how many items will touch your heart and soul. Like the Pepsi coolers we took to the beach. And the wringer washer that my grandmother used to use. And what about the Cadillac my father drove. AND, I saw a penquin tray, artisan made, hanging on a wall that I had in my home in Huntingdon Valley before I down-sized. Now that was shocking to see something so new in a museum. I guess that’s what “pop art” is. (I sold it when we sold our home.)
A lot of handmade pieces on display left my mouth wide open. Like the castle made out of 396,000 popsicles sticks using 4 gallons of Elmer’s glue. Bob Omrod, an art teacher in Royersford, donated the most fantastic miniature creations. Really!! The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, The Phantom of the Opera, Aliens, Peter Pan, all come to life in his creations. One can only imagine the pa- tience and deft hand required to create his pieces. And thanks to this “anonymous collector”, his work, finding a permanent home, can inspire others to do what he has accomplished.
Circus posters have a long history for entertaining people. The “Collector” commissioned, artist J. Fay, to produce replicas of these masterpieces. All individually painted, reduced to a usable size, covering a long wall along the tram route. Unbelievable.
I have to admit, I learned a lot during this visit. Did you know that the Slinky toy was invented by someone at Penn State? And did you know that Cadillac was the first car manufacturer to design and promote driving towards women?
At the end of the tour I asked our tour guide why I didn’t see any “trains” along our route. Happily, she commented that a new sec- tion is planned that will house model trains, etc. She said they’re already for display in another room and just have to be moved into place. That’s good news! Yeh, the “Collector” is always collecting and the Museum is always growing.
I think I heard some time during our tour that the Museum reflects organized chaos. Not sure about that. Your senses can definitely get overloaded with so much to look at. And it does require a level of concentration. But then that “wonder of it all” kicks in and you can’t help but smile.
I could write more, but I’ll finish by urging you to take a drive and check it out for yourself. Yes, you can take your grandkids. Perhaps nine years an older they’ll especially like the tram ride. And again, you don’t have to be a walker to soak in all the “chaos.”
It’s there all around! LOL! And please, when you go, tell them you heard about them here, between our covers. And by the way, you never know, you might run in to me on my second visit!
Back here, in the office, I was excited to hear our promotional ad on our local radio channel, Radio Delaware Valley, WRDV-FM, 89.3. It’s not something I’ve been doing, listening to the radio while working. but just started doing it recently and SUDDENLY our ad came on! I guess that was my reward for turning on the radio. And, yes, now I listen everyday!! The music is appealing and comforting, and I always like hearing our ad when it runs. If you haven’t tried this station, check it out. The music is familiar tunes from Broadway, Big Band Music no screaming, no yelling. And you’ll hear what’s happening locally in our greater reading area.
If you’re thinking about doing some woodworking at home, maybe embarking on a new hobby, turn to WTB Woodworking in Huntingdon Valley for some serious direction. This place is hopping with all things woodworking whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out. AND, if you go on Fridays, you can grab a hotdog (or two) and see some live demos on YouTube. Fun and food. What could be better?
That’s it for this month. Need to shuffle through my papers to see where I’m going next. I gotta’ lot of papers to shuffle through!! LOL!! Stay tuned.
American Treasure Tour Museum • 866. 970.8687 One American Treasure Way, Oaks, PA 19456
WRDV-FM 97.1 Bensalem, 105.7 Lansdale, 107.3 Philadelphia, 89.3 Warminster-Hatboro
WTB Woodworking • 215. 768. 1117 390 Pike Road, Unit 2, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006
