Offbeat America Season 1 Episode 6 Mushroom House and More

Offbeat America is an exciting documentary television series that features the most unusual and eclectic destinations, activities, and characters from all over the United States. In season 1, episode 6, entitled "Mushroom House and More," viewers get to explore some of the most bizarre and fascinating spots in the Midwest.

The episode begins with a visit to Charlevoix, Michigan, where a well-known local artist Earl Young has spent his career designing and crafting some of the most unique and whimsical houses in the country. The "Mushroom House" is probably his most famous creation, a structure that integrates natural elements like stone and wood into an organic form that resembles the cap of a mushroom. Viewers will take a tour of this one-of-a-kind dwelling, marveling at the stonework on the floors, walls, and ceilings, and the quirky details like arched windows and wooden ladders.

After exploring the Mushroom House, the show takes you to Rock City, Illinois, to meet with a truly interesting couple: Colette Gabriel and Marcia Moore, who have converted an old barn into a "celebration of Americana" that they call "Marcia and Colette's Country Store." The store is filled with antiques, curios, and oddities that the duo has collected over the years, including a collection of vintage salt and pepper shakers that will amaze anyone with a sense of humor. The store is also a testament to the incredible teamwork of the couple, who have been partners—in life and business—for over 40 years.

Next, Offbeat America takes you to Decatur, Illinois, to check out an attraction that is truly unique: the Hieronymus Mueller Museum. Hieronymus Mueller was an inventor and engineer who founded Mueller Co., a company that revolutionized the plumbing and water supply industry. This museum showcases some of his most impressive devices and instruments, including an original fire hydrant and an antique flow tester, as well as some of the historic documents related to the company's founding. For anyone interested in the history of American innovation, this museum is a must-see.

Finally, the episode wraps up with a visit to one of the weirdest museums in the country: Leila's Hair Museum, located in Independence, Missouri. The museum is a showcase of hair art, which is exactly what it sounds like: artwork made of human hair. The curator, Leila Cohoon, is a former hairdresser who has collected hundreds of pieces of hair art from all over the world, including pieces made by famous artists like Queen Victoria and Victorian poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Some of the pieces are eerily realistic, like a miniature portrait of Napoleon made entirely out of hair, while others are whimsical and bizarre.

Overall, "Mushroom House and More" is an episode that perfectly captures the spirit of Offbeat America: it's full of strange and wonderful destinations that will appeal to anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure. From mushroom houses to hair art, this episode is guaranteed to leave viewers with a new appreciation for the weirder side of Americana.