“We do not just keep and collect things. We trouble ourselves to repurpose, create, and invent things just to carry, a little easier, those stories we cannot live without.” —Kendra Greene

In this episode of Deviate, Rolf speaks to the directors of two very different museums — Dawn Hammat of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum & Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas, and Greg Long of Long’s Collectible Showplace & Gift Shop in Salina, Kansas (0:00); what people are drawn to in a given museum, and how a kind of nostalgia drives what people look for there (5:30); the ways all museums change and adapt over time, and how museums can surprise their visitors (12:00).

Notable Links:

• Dwight Eisenhower (34th president of the United States)
• Mamie Eisenhower (first lady of the US from 1953-61)
• Barbie (fashion doll)
• Hot Wheels (brand of toy car)
• The Vagabond’s Way, by Rolf Potts (book)
• Ozzy Osbourne (rock singer)
• Wonder cabinets (early versions of museums)
• British Museum (national museum in London)
• Beanie babies (line of stuffed toys)
• Pez (brand of candy dispenser)
• Paint by numbers (popular painting kits)
• Nelson Rockefeller (businessman and politician)
• Ethel Merman (20th century actress and singer)
• World’s Largest Belt Buckle (attraction in Kansas)
• Greyhound Hall of Fame (museum in Kansas)
• Chisholm trail (19th century cattle-driving trail)

The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.

Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.