Joel Baker, an expert on the Muffler Men made in the 1960s and '70s, reported something I've suspected for a few years -- that those fiberglass giants are seeing a big resurgence across the country. Baker in this recent video recounts all the activity seen with new and old Muffler Men, including along the Route … Continue reading Expert: Muffler Men seeing a resurgence across the U.S.
Tag: American Giants Museum
Viking Carpet giant installed at American Giants Museum
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, has added another very tall artifact. This time, it's the Viking Carpet giant, originally hailing from Virginia, that was installed at the Route 66 landmark. It was purchased two years ago and restored. The Viking giant stands alongside the Phillips 66 Cowboy and a Snerd at the museum. … Continue reading Viking Carpet giant installed at American Giants Museum
Newest Muffler Man installed at American Giants Museum
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, added another Muffler Man to its collection -- a Philips 66 Cowboy giant. Joel Baker, curator of the museum along old Route 66, posted a live Facebook video on the day the giant was installed. According to the American Giants website, the Phillips 66 cowboy giant was created … Continue reading Newest Muffler Man installed at American Giants Museum
Native American fiberglass statue in Minnesota heading to American Giants Museum
A Native American fiberglass giant that stood in Bemidji, Minnesota, for more than 60 years is on its way to the American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. The so-called Big Indian has been Morell’s Chippewa Trading Post since 1963. According to the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper, which had photos of the giant being … Continue reading Native American fiberglass statue in Minnesota heading to American Giants Museum
American Giants Museum featured in the New York Times
The so-called "newspaper of record" has published a prominent story about the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois. The New York Times posted the story by reporter Valerie Schremp Hahn and St. Louis photographer Bryan Birks in its Fine Arts and Design section on Wednesday. It contains a lot of information about the museum's genesis … Continue reading American Giants Museum featured in the New York Times
Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, announced Joel Baker of American Giants LLC will be the volunteer docent at the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 3. Baker, who lives in Colorado and doesn't get to Illinois often, also will speak at the … Continue reading Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3
Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
The short answer is yes. The Chicago Tribune a few days ago took a look at what one Route 66 advocate, Bill Thomas, called "a bit of a Renaissance" for the fiberglass giants, colloquially known as Muffler Men. The Muffler Men, made primarily by International Fiberglass in Venice, California, during the 1960s to the mid-1970s, … Continue reading Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?
Lumi giant added at Country Aire Restaurant at Atlanta
Call the small town of Atlanta, Illinois, the Land of the Giants. Lumi, a nearly 20-foot-tall female fiberglass giant holding a pie, was added Friday at the Country Aire Restaurant in Atlanta. That includes the Bunyan giant installed in 2003 along the original Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, plus the American Giants Museum that opened … Continue reading Lumi giant added at Country Aire Restaurant at Atlanta
American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, erected a second Muffler Man -- a rare Texaco Big Friend -- during its grand opening on Memorial Day weekend. In addition, the event included the Gemini Giant, reclining on a flatbed trailer, paying a visit to the museum before it's restored and reinstalled at a park in … Continue reading American Giants Museum erects another Muffler Man during its grand opening weekend
Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference
Joel Baker, founder of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, will be the keynote speaker during the Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference at the historic Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Illinois. The conference's theme, naturally, will be "Giants of Route 66." It will run from Oct. 31 through Nov. 3. Baker is the nation’s … Continue reading Joel Baker of American Giants Museum to be keynote speaker at Miles of Possibility Conference