The Gopher Hole Museum

Neatoramanaut Cat and Brat told us of a bizarre yet strangely compelling museum in central Alberta, Canada: The World Famous Gopher Hole Museum in Torrington. The main attraction of the museum are 47 dioramas featuring taxidermied gophers dressed up in various poses by artist Shelly Haase: Link – Thanks Cat & Brat!

RoadTrip America also has a review of the museum:

Ironically, it was not artistry, but politics and timing that generated the most publicity for the new enterprise. The Gopher Hole Museum opened its doors in 1996, and it wasn’t long before People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) got wind of the project. Voila. Instant world fame for the tiny hamlet of Torrington, Alberta. Even though it wasn’t what they had in mind, the citizens of Torrington aren’t complaining. They created the museum to increase tourism, and they don’t seem to mind at all if it’s PETA that gets the word out.

"The gophers are a tremendous problem for the farmers here," explained Angie. "We have to kill them. Is it so bad to put them on display afterwards?"

Previously on Neatorama:
- 10 Strange and Obscure American Museums
- Unexpected Places on the National Historic Landmark List