Market Museum (Boston) facts for kids
The Market Museum was an exciting place in Boston, Massachusetts, that opened its doors in 1804. It was located in Market Square, right next to the famous Faneuil Hall. Phillip Woods was in charge of this museum, which was also sometimes called the Boston Museum. It was open every day from 9 in the morning until 9 at night, showing off all sorts of interesting things.
What Was Inside?
The museum had many amazing displays. You could see lifelike wax figures and various pictures. There were also "natural and fanciful curiosities" – unique and strange items that people hadn't seen before in Boston.
Some of the most popular attractions included:
- A "Magical Deotric," which showed beautiful views of big cities around the world.
- Nairne's new electrical machine, which was a cutting-edge invention at the time.
- A "phantasmagoria," which was a show with spooky "German ghosts" projected using a special lantern.
- Live animals like "the great elephant Horatio," a "live alligator," and a "live bear."
- A "young whale" that had just been brought in from the sea.
- An incredibly long "skin of the sea-elephant," measuring 80 feet!
- A "grand cosmorama" that showed detailed scenes of Montreal and its surrounding areas.
- Pictures of important figures like generals Washington and Green.
More Than Just Exhibits
Besides the exhibits, Phillip Woods sometimes sold things at the museum, like special "cement" and "electrical machines." He also offered a special service: he used "medical electricity" to help people with different health problems, like aches and pains.
The Museum's End
The Market Museum closed down by 1822. Its collection of interesting items was then bought by a new museum called the New-England Museum, which had just started in Boston.
