On the Nationwide Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin, there’s solely love for one condiment.
And for those who dare say the “Ok-word,” founder and curator Barry Levenson will loudly toot his “honk of disgrace.”
The 74-year-old Levenson began amassing mustards in 1986 after his beloved Pink Sox misplaced the World Collection. “I used to be so depressed I could not sleep. So I went to an all-night grocery store and once I handed the mustards, I heard a voice that stated, ‘for those who accumulate us, they’ll come.’ I did. They’ve,” he stated.
On the time, Levenson was an assistant legal professional basic for the state of Wisconsin. Just a few years later, he improbably stop his job to open a museum to mustard. At the moment the free nonprofit attracts 30,000 to 35,000 guests every year. His assortment has grown to six,600 mustards from all 50 states and over 80 international locations.
From the mustard merchandising machine to the mustard-piece theater, the museum is delightfully wacky, historic and academic.
It additionally doubles as a higher-ed establishment referred to as Poupon U, with struggle songs that Levenson made as much as the tunes of actual faculty songs.
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On a current afternoon, Levenson delighted a visiting couple with these lyrics:
“Bratwurst and scorching canine; hamburgers too.
All with the mustard unfold on thick.
We by no means eat ketchup as a result of it makes you sick.
We slather it on our bagels and fries.
Licorice and corn flakes; blueberry pies.
Even with our Irish stew.
As a result of we’re true to Poupon U.”
In fact, there is a tasting bar the place you’ll be able to pattern some 60 mustards, together with current winners of the worldwide mustard competitors held on the museum.
Additionally held yearly proper outdoors the museum is a large yellow social gathering for Nationwide Mustard Day, which falls on the primary Saturday of August. Levenson would not inform Scripps Information which mustard he prefers as a result of “that is like who’s your favourite youngster.”
However one factor is obvious: his ardour for mustard and spreading pleasure is aware of no bounds.
“I believe folks extra laughs and extra lighthearted issues to refill their lives,” he stated.
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