Abita Mystery House

The Abita Mystery House is a roadside attraction located in the heart of Abita Springs, Louisiana, United States. Maintained by artist/inventor John Preble,[1] whose inspiration came from the Tinkertown Museum in New Mexico,[2] it offers thousands of folk art objects ranging from miniatures, to pottery, to Louisiana-themed sculptures like Darrel the Dogigator (half alligator, half dog) and Edmond the Allisapien (half alligator, half homo sapiens).[3][4] Originally called the UCM Museum till its official name change in 2007,[3] the house entrance is a vintage gas station, with filling pumps and bright decor, which leads to open air sections, the main exhibition hall, a ninety-year-old Creole cottage, and the House of Shards, among other attractions.[3] The Mystery House is unique in that it bears a particularly odd aesthetic, drawing alternative crowds with an eye for the strange. John Bullard, director of the New Orleans Museum of Art, has even gone as far as saying that the Abita Mystery House is the "most intriguing and provocative museum in Louisiana."[3]

Abita Mystery House
"Louisiana's Most Eccentric Attraction"
Established2007
LocationAbita Springs, LA
OwnerJohn Preble
Websiteabitamysteryhouse.com

In the press

The Abita Mystery House has been featured in books[5] and on television. The popular History Channel show American Pickers paid Preble and his creations a visit for their August 12, 2013 episode titled "Louisiana Purchase."[6]

References
  1. "Things to Do". Abita Springs. Town of Abita Springs. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
  2. "Abita Mystery House". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
  3. "Abita Mystery House". Abita Mystery House. John Preble. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
  4. Case, Chad. "The Abita Mystery House".
  5. Stuart, Bonnye E. (November 20, 2012). Louisiana Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Globe Pequot. ISBN 0762769777.
  6. "Abita Springs roadside attraction featured on History Channel's American Pickers". Nola.com. 2013-08-09. Retrieved 2013-08-17.


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