Ep 9. Bug Museum

In this episode of Strange Inheritance, viewers are taken on a journey to discover the strange and fascinating world of bug collecting. The episode centers around an inheritance left by a man named George Rixner who spent a lifetime collecting and preserving a vast array of bugs and insects.

George Rixner was a passionate and dedicated entomologist who spent over 30 years building up his incredible collection of bugs. He traveled the world, from the jungles of South America to the deserts of Africa, in search of unique and exotic specimens to add to his collection. His fascination with bugs and insects went beyond just collecting them; he was also interested in preserving them in the most natural and lifelike way possible.

George's son Tom Rixner inherited his father's bug collection after his death, and he was faced with the challenge of what to do with it. He eventually decided to turn his father's passion into a museum to honor his legacy and share his love of bugs with the world. Tom transformed his father's old dairy farm in rural Pennsylvania into a museum, which he called the "Bug Museum."

The Bug Museum is a fascinating and unique place that showcases George Rixner's incredible collection of bugs, which includes over 30,000 specimens from all over the world. The museum is divided into different sections, each featuring bugs from a different region or habitat, such as the African savannah, the Amazon rainforest, and the Australian outback. The bugs are arranged in intricate dioramas that replicate their natural habitats, making visitors feel like they are stepping into a miniature world.

The Bug Museum is not just a place to look at bugs; it's also an educational and interactive experience. Visitors can join guided tours, watch live demonstrations of how the bugs are preserved, and even touch and hold some of the specimens. The museum also hosts summer camps for kids, where they can learn about bugs and insects through games and activities.

The episode of Strange Inheritance takes viewers on a tour of the Bug Museum and introduces them to Tom Rixner, the man behind the museum. Viewers learn about the challenges Tom faced in transforming his father's collection into a museum and the emotional journey he went through in doing so. They also get to see some of the most fascinating bugs in the collection, such as the enormous Goliath beetle from Africa and the terrifyingly large tarantulas from South America.

Throughout the episode, viewers also get an insight into the world of bug collecting and the passionate community that surrounds it. They meet other collectors who share the same love for bugs as George Rixner did and learn about the different techniques used to preserve and display bugs. They also learn about the important role that bugs play in the ecosystem and the impact that humans have on their habitats.

The Bug Museum is not just an inheritance left by George Rixner to his son; it's also a legacy that he left to the world. Through the museum, Tom Rixner is continuing his father's passion for bugs and sharing it with future generations. The museum is a testament to the power of inheritance and the importance of preserving and sharing our passions with others.

Overall, the episode of Strange Inheritance is a fascinating and educational journey into the world of bug collecting and the wonderful legacy left behind by George Rixner. It's a must-see for anyone who is curious about the natural world and the passion of collectors.