Could This Be the World's Strangest Museum?

LONDON, August 17, 2009 — -- Mustard? Cockroaches? Lunchboxes? German sausages? These aren't your typical museums. And yet these wacky attractions not only capture the imagination but make for a very unique day out. ABC News has compiled a list of the top 16 that are definitely worth a visit.

1. The German Sausage Museum

The German Bratwurst Museum is the first of its kind in Germany. Providing visitors with everything they might want to know about the sausage-making process, the museum displays machinery and equipment. Visitors can also learn about the history of this iconic food, including that the first mention of bratwurst occurred in 1404. The museum also boasts a model of a traditional German festival, which is synonymous with the bratwurst. And to pay real homage to the bratwurst, the museum also houses a collection of other bratwurst memorabilia.

2. The Cockroach Hall of Fame Museum

Plano, Texas

The brain-child of pest-control expert Michael Bohdan, the Cockroach Hall of Fame is located inside Bohan's store, The Pest Shop, in Plano Texas. The Hall of Fame displays dozens of various types of cockroaches both dead and alive. The highlight is diplays of 'roach art,' made from dead roaches donated by a wide variety of people. One of the most notable pieces was created by an 85-year old lady from Fort Worth, Texas who placed a dead roach next to a tiny piano dressed in a mink cloak. She named him "Liberoachi."

3. Sulabh International Museum of Toilets

New Delhi, India

Displaying toilets from as far away as Argentina, Luxembourg, Kuwait and Senegal, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets provides visitors with a unique look at the history of sanitation across the world. The museum aims to not only educate people about "the historical trends in the development of toilets," but also provides help to 'manufacturers of toilet equipment and accessories in improving their products'. Either way, objects in the collection include pre-Victorian chamber pots, ornate royal 'thrones' and the ingenious microwave toilet which used less water in hopes of revolutionizing the experience.

4. The Torture Museum

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Set in Amsterdam's red-light district, this museum is not for the faint-hearted. The Torture Museum lives up to its name with dark lighting and an entrance that sees visitors begin their experience by journeying down a dark corridor. The exhibit includes a historical tour of various torture methods, primarily focusing on those from medieval times. Devices on display include the Inquisition Chair, the Skull Cracker, the Heretic Fork, various hanging cages and masks, and, of course, the Guillotine.

5. The Lunchbox Museum

Columbus, Georgia

Recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, the Lunchbox Museum claims to be home to the largest collection of lunchboxes in the world. The exhibit itself is relatively new, the museum's owner only began collecting four years ago. However, the collection has grown at a speedy pace and now includes over 1,000 lunchboxes and associated memorabilia including coolers and thermoses. A tour of the museum provides an interesting account of the history of the trusty lunchbox from their original tin models to the contemporary plastic kind.

6. Paris Sewers Museum

Paris, France

Aptly set underground beneath the streets of Paris, this museum displays the long history of public sanitation since Paris first sewer system in the 13th Century. Running parallel to the River Seine visitors are able to see one of the old main sewage lines servicing the city and the main exhibit includes sewer-maintenance equipment, clothing worn by sewer works and cleaning devices. Visitors should also be sure to visit the built-in theater the restrooms are indeed connected to the current sewer system!

7. The Hair Museum

Avanos, Turkey

The Hair Museum is home to a collection of hair specimens from over 16,000 different donors. Displaying the collection of famous Turkish potter Galip Korukcu, the museum adds to its unique experience by being housed in a cave. Korukcu is now in the Guinness Book of Records for having the largest collection of hair, and visitors to the museum are apparently given the option to add to the collection by donating their own locks. The museum originally opened in 1979 and since then has become an international phenomenon.

8. British Lawnmower Museum

Southport, Lancashire, England

Since its opening, the British Lawnmower Museum has attracted widespread interest from across the globe. The museum's on-site workshops work to repair and restore vintage lawnmowers and the museum's collection includes not only the actual machines but also various types of memorabilia including patents and blueprints from as far back as the 18th Century. The lawnmowers themselves include classic models used in landscaping but also a host of machines that are more famous for having participated in lawnmower races. Visitors should also be sure not to miss the largest collection of Toy lawnmowers in the World! The museum offers a free audio tour.

9. The Beijing Museum of Tap-Water

Beijing, China

The Beijing Museum of Tap-Water was built on the site of the first water plant in Beijing. The museum offers visitors a tour of the 90-year history of tap water in Beijing. The exhibit itself is divided into three exhibits designed to illustrate the various stages of development of tap water. The museum houses a collection of almost 300 objects, pictures and models.

10. The Mustard Museum

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

Founder Barry Levenson began collecting mustard in the 1980's but the museum itself has only been open since 1992. The museum's collection includes over 4,800 types of mustard in bottles, tubes and jars that originate from across the 50 states and 60 countries. The exhibit also includes a historical tour of the mustard industry with antique pots and advertisements amongst other memorabilia. Fans of mustard should also make sure that they pay a visit to the museum's unique gift shop which itself sells many different types of mustard.

11. Kansas Barbed Wire Museum

La Crosse, Kansas

Since opening in 1971, the Kansas Barbed Wire Museum has been educating the public about the history of the barbed wire, often referred to as the 'Devil's Rope'. The collection now includes over 2,000 types of barbed wire, some dating as far back as the 19th century. The tour includes a Barbed Wire Hall of Fame and a research library but visitors should be sure to also visit the theater to watch the educational films about the history of this multi-million dollar industry.

12. Celebrity Underwear Museum

Brussels, Begium

Just opened in Brussels, the Musee du Slip, known as the Celebrity Underwear Museum, exhibits underwear worn by the rich and famous. The collection includes a G-string once worn by French porn star Brigitte Lahaie and boxer shorts belonging to the Belgian Finance Minister, Didier Reynders. The brain child of artist Jan Bucquoy, famous for his use of underwear in his art, the museum's most prized piece is a portrait of the French President Nicholas Sarkozy made-up to look like Napolean but wearing a striped pair of underwear on his head.

13. Titan Missile Museum

Sahuarita, Arizona

The Titan Missile Museum in Arizona is the site of the only publicly accessible Titan II missile site in the U.S. and it provides a very unique experience. The one-hour guided tour of the facility includes a look at a 103-ft Titan II missile in its launch silo and it's 8-ft thick walls. A highlight is a missile launch simulation held underground in the command room. The museum also includes a lot of history about the Cold War.

14. SPAM Museum

The perfect museum for lovers of the infamous food item, the SPAM museum details the history of SPMA since it first hit the shelves the 1930's. A walk through the museum offers visitors an interactive chance to learn about SPAM. Exhibits include the opportunity to make your own can of SPAM, take a quiz on your knowledge of SPAM, and get involved at a "Cyber Diner." A trip to the museum should also include a stop at the gift shop where visitors can pick up a whole host of SPAM-related items and memorabilia.

15. Cumberland Pencil Museum

Keswick, Cumbria, England

Located in the grounds of a pencil-making factory, the Pencil Museum takes visitors through a replica of a graphite mine. The walk through the museum allows visitors to learn of the history of the pencil, learning all about how it was first made. Visitors should also check out the drawing zone where kids can make some art, and also be sure to see if there are any demonstrations happening where parents and kids can get some expert tips. The museum is also home to one of the world's longest pencil, which is also well worth seeing!

16. Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia

Burlingame, California

Celebrating their 14th birthday this year, the Museum of Pez Memorabilia pays homage to the iconic candy. Their prized possession is the world's largest Pez dispenser which, at 7 feet, 10 inches, is most impressive. The museum also has a large collection of vintage Pez dispensers as well as other Pez-related items. Visitors should be sure to visit the gift shop where they can pick up their own piece of Pez history!