Middleton, Wisconsin: A Charming College Town with Autumn Appeal

It’s all about the mustard in Middleton

The National Mustard Museum is the best kind of quirky there is.

Located in the charming downtown district of Middleton, Wisconsin, sits a mecca for mustard and museum lovers, alike. The upstairs is a gift shop with Wisconsin-themed items and food, toys, and hundreds of different types of mustard to purchase. Its brochure has even more, which can be ordered to your door. And the tasting bar allows visitors to test before committing to a special jar.

Mustard Museum Exterior Cmyk — Downtown Middleton, Wisconsin, is home to dozens of restaurants, shops and the one-and-only National Mustard Museum.

Try award-winning crocks from other countries, or raspberry mustard with pretzels (fan fave), or pick up some maple mustard for pancakes!

The museum downstairs (accessible via elevator) contains more than 7,000 jars, pots and tubes of mustards from all 50 states and about 70 countries. The collection grows a bit more each year, as well as the mustard memorabilia.

Mustardmuseum Pattibarry Cmyk Jpg — Barry Levenson, the man behind the National Mustard Museum's collection and museum, at right, poses with Patti Bridges, who now owns and runs the gifts shop above the museum.

Beautiful, antique — and sometimes extremely rare — mustard pots collected over time are on display, ranging from crystal, to China patterns, to funny characters. Mustard, as you will learn, has always had a special place on any table as it was sometimes the only “spice to life” available.

The National Mustard Museum also features the Mustardpiece Theatre, showing the history of mustard cultivation; interactive games and displays talking about mustard; and a beautiful new display featuring a timeline of the history of mustard with historic photos, installed just last year by the iconic French mustard company Edmond Fallot.

Group tours are easily organized in advance, as well, for those who want the full experience. Additionally, The National Mustard Day Festival is held every year on the first Saturday of August. This includes live music, mustard-themed food (ice cream, brownies and more!), games and vendors.

Mustard Museum Tasting Bar Trio Cmyk — The National Mustard Museum’s tasting bar allows visitors to taste test mustards before making purchases.

The National Mustard Museum is just one reason to come to Middleton and discover why we say it’s the middle things that make this place special.

Plan your visit at visitmiddleton.com.