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1993-1994 Lake Tahoe
California
The Images of this page are from the interior of the museum as it
was in Tahoe in 1993. Have a look. I literally busted my back
building it...and went bust running it. It was the best of
times...it was the worst of times and the greatest year of my life
fulfilling a life long dream. Doug Higley
In 1993 I built a Museum...a lifelong dream come true.
Gathering up exhibits on loan from other museums it was a wonder
to behold! Here are a few of the photos I still have of the
venture.
Doug Higley
Above: Downstairs
LOBBY. Most of the Museum was upstairs but there were lower
level exhibits as well.
Below: After
paying the $3 the Museum goer was greeted at the top of the stairs
by a fully animated Cow.
Above: The Robots
were part of a MASSIVE antique Tin Toy Exhibit
Above: The
fabulous marble machine
Above: The Circus
Sideshow Room Packed with STRANGE OBJECTS!
Above:
OLAF THE
GIANT 9ft Tall! As Exhibited at the 62 Seattle
Worlds Fair
This is the room most folks
(those few who visited the Museum) spent the most time...
there was so much to see and
WONDER at!
Above: in the
case behind the Carriage were collections of costuming for
LIBERACE and SAMMY DAVIS JR. as well as a fantastic collection of
memorabilia and belongings of BING CROSBY. The Museum also
had The Guns of AL CAPONE and many other rare and unusual
artifacts. All authentic TRUE WONDERS.
Unfortunately not many people came in even thought the admission
was only $3. The next door Casino Slot machines had a much
more powerful pull.
We really tried to educate and
most of all ENTERTAIN but it just didn't grab 'em off the street.
Those who DID venture in were amazed and most all said it was the
best Museum the had ever seen. It was still a heart breaker
(and a back breaker to build it when we had to close it).
Above: some of
the bizarre 'gaffs' of well known sideshow artist HOMER TATE
Above: An entire
room of rare vintage Toy Trucks!
Above: Quack
medical machines etc. The table was from the time of George
Washington used for blood letting. When a button was pushed
the girl screamed and a siren went off. (heh heh)
Above: Victorian
Fashion
Above:
Yep....that's HIM. In front is the MEGA FORCE stunt buggy
Above: Flying
Saucer and BIGFOOT exhibit
True Wonders Old Time Museum
was a labor of love and hard work and comprised collection
from 3 museums gathered and presented to a disinterested public.
It was AMERICANA on display for three bucks.
Not shown on this page are the
countless RARE tin toys or the fun machines for a nickel (like the
ole hand crank movieolas), celebrity items, presidential
historical objects from the White House (!) The incredible Mega
Force Stunt vehicles including the rocket firing motorcycle and
many other things that made True Wonders the best darn museum on
the Planet.
Above: On the
left in the case antique Toy Cars. On the far back wall Trains
Above: 56
Chrysler Newport...my baby...also 'lost' when the Museum closed
The True Wonders Old Time
Museum was dedicated to the spirit and fun of the old
DOC JONES FANTASTIC MUSEUM which wowed Seattle
for years and was a part of the Seattle World's Fair in 1962.
I never got to see that museum or collection in it's hey day but
was fortunate to have some of the hilarious contraptions and
exhibits that made that attraction so entertaining and still
remembered to this day. Above: is one of my
favorites.
I'm Doug Higley and Thanks
for visiting!!!!
THANKS to Jim for
trusting me to make a dream come true it was GRAND!!!! Maybe next
time it will work. :-)
click about image
to Visit Doug Higley's Grindshow
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