Cheshire, Connecticut: Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum

Over 80,000 items. Open since September 1997. The personal collection of Herb and Gloria Barker, who bought many of the exhibits for less than a dollar apiece at garage sales in the 1970s.

Address:: 1188 Highland Ave., Cheshire, CT
Directions:: I-691 exit 3. Drive south on Hwy 10/Highland Ave) about two miles. You'll see the sign on the left. If you reach the prison (on the right) you've driven too far.
Hours:: W-Sa 12-4 (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:: 203-272-2357
Admission:: Adults $5.
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

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Barker Animation sign.

Barker Character, Comic, and Cartoon Museum

For kids of all ages. Outside are dozens of wooden cutouts of cartoon characters from all times: Grinch, Snoopy, Simpsons, Nancy, Taz, Bugs, Daffy, Woody Woodpecker, Popeye, etc. Then there's the museum, which began as a private collection of Mr. Barker. It is jam-packed with lunch boxes, toys, Pez, dolls, and memorabilia. Adults are reminded not to touch, because it is irresistible to touch the Howdy Doodie string marionettes. Then there's an art gallery that sells high-end cartoon cell art and other objet's d'art by great American animators. These are pricy ($100-$5000). Very irresistible to anyone who came through the '50s, '60s, of '70s. There's a cartoon theater open in the summer, and the museum is year 'round with a really nice curator the day we were there.

[Alph Winter, 02/10/2002]

Aug. 2016: Photo added.