While driving the entire length of Highway 70 from Phoenix to the Atlantic Ocean, I identified this…read moremuseum on the map during the planning phase as a worthy point of interest. And I finally made it there today. But this isn't a museum you just walk into. It's only open by request which only requires a simple phone call to the museum's number. And you'll soon be speaking with 91-year-old Army veteran Bob Hambright, the owner of the museum who will happily open the place for you and provide a personal tour.
Despite a relatively close proximity to Lubbock, Texas, this rural museum is only visited by 10-20 people annually, mostly by owners of Boston Terriers. But let me make something very clear. I don't own dogs and I'm not particularly interested in Boston Terriers. Yet this is surely one of the greatest and most fascinating museums I've ever visited! And believe me, I've seen some of the world's most epic museums in the 82 countries I've visited! The Boston Terrier Museum is housed in an old hospital that was later a video rental store - those don't tend to exist anymore - whose flashing sign is still present in the museum.
Anything that's been manufactured over the past century that is even loosely related to the Boston Terrier can be found here! I mean everything! Now, you won't be surprised to find numerous figurines, statues, pins, and magnets featuring this breed of dog. But you'll be stunned to find two light bulbs shaped like Boston Terriers, towels, toilet paper holders, door handles, piggy banks - well, doggy banks - canes, umbrellas, and so much more! But it gets better. Highlights include old dog food cans from the 1920s, a wood carving from 1911, a tin advertisement from 1910, tobacco cans and a carboard candy box from around 1900, a trophy from a dog show in 1899, and a calendar from 1885, all featuring Boston Terriers in some way. Bob even displays two Boston Terrier buggy blankets used in the old horse-and-buggy days to keep riders warm! The oldest item in the museum is a book about terriers dating to March of 1876, just turning 150 years old during my visit! You can even handle any item in your hands which is a very rare experience for such relics! Bob has such attention to detail and even tracked down memorabilia from the two college teams and three U.S. high schools who use this breed as their mascot.
It is not an understatement to declare that this is one of the greatest hidden gems in the entire United States! It's a museum rich with history, professionally displayed, stunningly diverse, and just a unique experience that's flying way under the radar! You MUST visit this jewel hidden in plain sight in downtown Floydada, Texas!
