Baseball heartbreak birthed one of America’s most beloved culinary curiosities. When Barry Levenson’s Boston Red Sox lost the 1986 World Series, the former Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General wandered into a grocery store at 2 a.m. and found himself mesmerized by the mustard aisle. That midnight revelation sparked a passion that would transform downtown Middleton into a mecca for mustard enthusiasts worldwide.
From Courtroom to Condiment Kingdom
Levenson’s mustard obsession began innocently enough—collecting interesting jars caught his eye during grocery runs. By 1992, his collection had grown so extensive that opening a museum seemed the natural next step. The institution first opened in Mount Horeb before settling into its current two-story Middleton location in 2009.
Museum Highlights Include:
- World-Wide Mustard Competition winners available for tasting.
- Playful “Poupon U” exhibit complete with mustard-themed fight songs.
- Interactive mustard vending machine.
- Historical displays chronicling mustard’s journey from ancient Rome to modern ballparks.
- Gift shop featuring rare and artisanal mustards from global producers.
The museum’s collection spans continents and centuries, showcasing everything from classic yellow ballpark mustard to exotic varieties infused with wine, beer, and tropical fruits. Visitors regularly sample dozens of mustards at the tasting bar, discovering flavor profiles that challenge preconceptions about this humble condiment.
“The museum attracts 30,000 to 35,000 visitors annually,” demonstrating mustard’s surprising power to draw culinary adventurers from across the globe. Media attention from The Oprah Winfrey Show, Food Network, and HGTV has cemented its status as a must-visit American roadside attraction.
Community Pride Spreads Like Wildfire
Each August, Middleton transforms into a yellow wonderland during National Mustard Day. Streets fill with families wearing mustard-colored clothing, vendors selling mustard-themed treats, and games celebrating the town’s most famous resident condiment. The free festival embodies Middleton’s embrace of its quirky identity and demonstrates how unexpected cultural icons can unite communities around shared joy and local pride.
