Hidden along the banks of the Mississippi River in the small town of Alma, WI sits a small castle-like structure, containing the Castlerock Museum. Do not let the city’s size deceive you; this museum holds one of the most impressive collections of arms and armor we have seen in the Midwest.
Question: What can happen when a 10-year-old has something that sparks his interest in collecting?
Answer: The Castlerock Museum!
This museum arises from the personal collection of Gary B. Schlosstein. When he was ten years old, he acquired a Civil War musket for $3 that sparked a lifelong pursuit and collecting of historical arms and armory.
Continue learning about Gary’s story.
Where are all the display cases?
One of the first things that you may notice as you enter is that unlike most museum collections, with the artifacts behind row after row of closed display cases, this collection is arranged with an open wall format. This open exhibit design was the result of a collaboration between museum curator, Gary Schlosstein and his longtime friend and former armorer to the Royal Armouries, Christopher Dobson.
FUN Note: The shorter kids loved being able to look at the items on the wall and not needing to be picked up to see inside a display case.
Touring the Museum
Touring the museum is easy and fun; the displays are arranged chronologically with each area focusing on a different civilization/period. It is laid out as a self-guided tour, with interpretive panels giving you quick information on each piece.
Plan on about an hour to walk through the two floors, add some additional time if you are interested in any periods and wish to study the artifacts more. Be sure to have the kids try on the chainmail armor on the second floor. History comes alive when they gear up and imagine themselves preparing for battle.
TIP: The panels are perfect for middle schoolers and up, but can contain too much information for elementary kids with shorter attention spans.
Practical, with individual personality
The artifacts reflect not only the functionality of the item but also the craftsman’s personality. We were surprised to see helmets crafted with mustaches and lips. Was not the “traditional” style we learned about in school.
When you see an interesting piece that you would like more information on, ask one of the museum guides, they have deep knowledge about the collection and offered us not only historical
FUN Tip: Ask about the suit of armor on the second floor in the classroom area, it is not what it seems.
Some theme related items that you may find helpful:
Reading books on the subjects we cover and taking notes is something we tend to do frequently, while we love our Moleskines, using unique themed journals can be fun!
Books
Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor
Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare
Journals
Medieval Renaissance Handmade Leather Diary Journal Thought Book by Armory Replicas
Leather Journal- Handmade Leather Bound Vintage Paper
Is it a sword or a knife?
We learned that the size of a blade does not make it a sword, a sword will have both edges sharpened, while a knife will only have one. The other difference is that a knife handle will have rivets and swords do not.
Photo tip: Most museums do not allow flash photography as it can damage the pieces. If you notice your images coming out too dark, try adjusting the ISO settings on your camera to 1600 and up. Play with the settings until you find a level that works in the environment.
Looking for ways to help support the Castlerock Museum?
Castlerock Museum is an educational 501(c)(3) institution that depends heavily upon donations and support from people like you. We always like to highlight the different ways that our readers can help these organizations.
Knight or Lady Membership: Individual membership is $15.00 and provides unlimited general admission for one individual for one year. This level of membership also includes reduced admission at most special events.
Castle Family Membership: Family membership is $25.00 and provides unlimited general admission for two adults who share an address, and their children or grandchildren under age 18 for one year. This level of membership also includes reduced admission at most special events.
Cash Donations: Online giving by credit card or PayPal. Or, if you wish, you may make a gift by mail or in person.
Family Memorials: Consider including Castlerock Museum as a memorial choice in memory of departed family members.
Charitable Bequests: Consider carrying on your giving by including a tax exempt bequest to Castlerock Museum in your estate plan. Information is available by request or from your personal estate planning attorney.
In Conclusion:
Our team spoke with William Wolcott, Executive Director about what he would like visitors to know about the Castlerock Museum.
“The museum is a tribute to Gary Schlosstein and his passion for collecting ancient and medieval arms and armor. Every single piece was collected by Gary over the last 38 years and its almost all original.”
Nomads notes: The images in this article are just a tiny sampling of Gary’s collection; the variety and level of detail of the pieces truly have to be seen in person. As we toured the museum, you could sense the passion Gary has for collecting and sharing it with the public. We are excited to see that in November, the museum is hosting “An Afternoon with Gary Schlosstein”. Be sure to check out their events page for upcoming lectures and programs.
