11. Portland, Maine offers two very different strange museums
Visitors to Portland, Maine, may amuse themselves by touring two very different museums. The first, the International Cryptozoology Museum, presents “many rare and unique pieces of remarkable evidence”. Evidence of what, one may ask? Well, they present “fecal matter” from a Yeti, also known as an Abominable Snowman. Their exhibit is from “a young Yeti”, collected in 1959. They also have samples of hair, not only from Abominable Snowmen, but also from Sasquatch, Yowie (an Australian version of Bigfoot), and over 10,000 like items and displays. Exhibits which feature the Jersey Devil and the Montauk Monster have been displayed. The latter is a still unidentified large animal which washed ashore in Montauk, Long Island in 2008. It is generally believed to have been the partially decomposed body of a large raccoon.
The other Portland adventure is decidedly less frightful. Crossing Casco Bay to Peaks Island one may visit the Umbrella Cover Museum. They won’t find umbrellas. Just the sheaths in which some people store their umbrellas when their service is not required. Founded by the unusually named Nancy 3 Hoffman, the museum’s collection of umbrella covers exceeds 2,000. Its smallest umbrella cover is less than three inches long, fashioned as an accessory for Barbie dolls. The museum offers guided tours, accompanied with accordion music performed by its founder. The museum uses the song Just Let a Smile Be Your Umbrella as its official theme song. Its mission statement, found on its website, states, “The Umbrella Cover Museum is dedicated to the appreciation of the mundane in everyday life.” Portland, Maine, appears to be an interesting place to visit.