The Backyard Tourist

07/23/2026

Have you ever seen a statue of Abraham Lincoln...with a pig?

In Taylorville, Illinois, you'll find The Last Stop—the only known statue of Lincoln with a pig at his feet. At first glance, it seems quirky. But behind it is one of my favorite stories from Lincoln's years riding Illinois' 8th Judicial Circuit.

While trying a case in the old Christian County courthouse, pigs rooting beneath the raised floor created such a commotion that Lincoln reportedly asked the judge for a "writ of quietus" to silence them. It was a classic Lincoln moment—quick-witted, practical, and delivered with just the right touch of humor. The statue commemorates that memorable story and Taylorville's role as the last stop on Lincoln's circuit before returning home to Springfield.

It's exactly the kind of unexpected roadside history I love discovering. A simple statue becomes a doorway into the everyday experiences that made Abraham Lincoln more than a president—it reminds us he was once a small-town lawyer navigating muddy roads, noisy courtrooms, and, apparently, unruly pigs.

Sometimes the most memorable travel stops aren't the biggest attractions. They're the ones that make you smile, ask questions, and leave with a story worth telling.

Have you ever stumbled across a roadside attraction that surprised you with the history behind it?

On the square in Taylorville, just outside the Christian County Courthouse, stands one of the more unexpected—and quietly revealing—Lincoln sites you’ll find. The statue is called “The Last Stop.” …

07/20/2026

What if museums stopped trying to compete with influencers... and started thinking like them?

Before anyone panics—I don't mean dance trends in the galleries or clickbait videos.

I mean understanding why influencers are successful.

The best influencers don't just sell products. They tell stories. They build communities. They create trust. They make people feel like they're part of something.

Ironically, museums already have everything influencers are trying to create:

✔ Authentic stories

✔ Passionate experts

✔ Behind-the-scenes access

✔ Extraordinary collections

✔ Unique experiences

✔ A mission people can believe in

The challenge isn't that museums lack compelling content.

It's that we often present it in ways that don't invite conversation or make people feel personally connected.

What if we spent less time promoting exhibits and more time introducing the people behind them?

What if we shared the untold stories of collections, conservation projects, volunteers, and educators?

What if we focused on building relationships instead of simply broadcasting events?

In my latest article, I explore how museums can borrow the best practices of successful influencers while remaining true to their educational mission and public trust.

I'd love to hear your thoughts:

👉 What's one museum, historic site, or cultural organization you think is doing an exceptional job on social media—and what makes their approach work?

Let's share examples we can all learn from.

Kelly Klobucher is a museum executive and cultural tourism strategist focused on heritage preservation, audience engagement, and place-based storytelling. For years, museums approached social media…

07/18/2026

In an effort to save public art in federal buildings that the Trump administration has targeted for sale, two Democratic members of the Congressional Arts Caucus introduced a bill called the Protecting Resources and Ensuring Stewardship of Enduring Records of Visual Expression (Preserve) Act on Tuesday (14 July). It specifically sites Washington, DC’s Cohen Building—the “Sistine Chapel of the New Deal”.

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/07/16/us-congress-introduces-bill-to-protect-public-art-in-federal-buildings-targeted-by-trump-administration

07/14/2026

Stories are all around us!

07/14/2026

Another huge loss for those of us who work in history.

The closure of the South Side center will take place “over the next few years.” The records and documents will be relocated, but it’s unclear where and how many employees are affected.

07/13/2026

Who do children see when they walk into a museum?

Not just the exhibits.

Not just the artifacts.

They see the people telling the stories.

One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of during my museum career wasn't an exhibition or a fundraising campaign—it was helping build a staff that better reflected the community we served.

Something changed when school groups visited.

Students could see themselves in the educators leading their programs, the visitor services staff welcoming them, and the professionals interpreting history. Representation wasn't about checking a box. It was about expanding possibilities.

When a child sees someone who looks like them serving as a curator, educator, preservationist, or museum leader, they begin to imagine that they, too, belong in those roles someday.

A diverse staff also strengthens museums in countless other ways. Different perspectives improve storytelling, deepen community relationships, challenge assumptions, and create richer visitor experiences.

In my latest article, "Why Museum Staff Should Reflect the Communities They Serve," I explore why representation is more than a workforce issue—it's fundamental to fulfilling a museum's educational mission.

I'd love to hear your perspective.

How has representation—whether in museum staff, leadership, or interpretation—shaped your own experience as a visitor, educator, or museum professional?

By Kelly Klobucher Every museum wants visitors to feel welcome. We invest in accessible buildings, inclusive exhibitions, engaging educational programs, and thoughtful interpretation. Yet one of th…

07/10/2026

Love this!
A little happiness for your day.

07/08/2026

There's something powerful about standing in the place where an extraordinary journey began.

For this week's Travel Tuesday, I visited the Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville, Tennessee—a museum housed in the one-room school where Anna Mae Bullock, the girl who would become Tina Turner, attended elementary school.

It's a reminder that museums aren't just about preserving artifacts. They preserve possibility.

The museum tells the story of resilience, determination, and one of the greatest comeback stories in music history. Whether you're a fan of Tina's music or simply appreciate stories of perseverance, this is a destination worth adding to your road trip itinerary.

In my latest Backyard Tourist article, I explore:
What you'll see inside the museum
Why it's worth the detour
Books, music, and documentaries that enrich the experience
How small museums preserve stories with global significance

Every small museum has the power to connect us to larger stories—and this one proves it.

Have you ever visited a museum that gave you a deeper appreciation for someone you thought you already knew?

For fans of American music history, few places feel as personal—or as powerful—as the Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville, Tennessee. Housed inside a restored one-room schoolhouse that Tina Turner he…

07/07/2026

As a museum professional, I find this kind of interference from a politician completely unconscionable.
History isn’t easy.

George Washington can be both a hero and a villain, depending on who he was in your life.

Did he lead you in the continental army during the Revolutionary War?
Did he inspire you with a speech that promoted national unity?
Or, did he own you and your family?

Both things can be true.

I’ve seen the original interpretive signs at this historic site. They were balanced, well researched and peer reviewed by many historians and scholars.

Difficult history SHOULD make you uncomfortable.
It SHOULD make you reflect.
It SHOULD make you want to do better than we did in the past.

On the eve of July 4, the Trump administration is seeking to replace the slavery memorial at the President’s House in Philadelphia. Here's what could change.