Not sure how much awareness there is in the community, but there will be a new arms and armor focused museum opening up in Alma, WI this Friday and Saturday. I found out about the museum about 2 years ago, from a friend of the collector who's launching it, and I still didn't know about the opening until this week. I think it's a pretty well kept secret.

The best place to get info on it is probably the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Castlerock-Arms-and-Armor-Museum/144346078971618

There is an official website, but I don't think it's been updated for a couple of years.

http://www.castlerockmuseum.com/newsite/museum.php

That is only 2 hours away from me.... I will probably make the trip out one of the days. If anyone from the community is planning on going one of the days this weekend please post your plans so we can try to meet up. I'll even bring some toys for folks to handle :)

I plan to be there on Saturday from 1 to 4. I can bring a couple of Albions along.

Thanks for the heads up on this Scott. I'm surprised to have a museum like this so near. I plan on being there either Friday or Saturday depending on if this is something my significant other is interested in.

I didn't see any hours for Saturday, the facebook page mentioned 1-4 on Friday, are the hours the same on Saturday? Is there an admission cost?

What sort of items are in the collection? I didn't see much info on their Facebook page.

The facebook page said they would be open tomorrow from 1-4, and I just gave them a call, the hours on Saturday are 1-4 as well.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids

I mentioned that a few collectors might be coming out and we wanted to bring a few pieces to show amongst ourselves and if that was okay or if there was a place that we could do that. The gentleman I spoke to, Gary, said that he didn't know what the crowd was going to be like, or what his availability was going to be, but that it would be okay and to let him know.

Naturally I inquired if there were swords in the collection and naturally the answer was yes :) I guess a visit will determine the extent and time period.

I'm going to be there Saturday to make my visit. Shoot me a PM anyone will be there on Saturday as well and I'll get you my number so we can meet up!

Gary is the gentlemen whose collection is displayed in the museum, and who built and organized it. I don't think phones will be necessary to find people, as the building is probably around 15,000 sq ft. Yes, it's small, but he has some great pieces. There is a gun shield from Henry VIII's guard, which I was told is one of 17 or so surviving pieces (memory - 2 yrs ago). I know he has some two dozen or so swords, including a zwei hander that is one of the coolest pieces I've ever seen. The polearm collection is also quite nice, as T. Arndt alludes to.

I remember there was a gentlemen from the Royal Armoury at Leeds there helping to catalog and set up the displays, but I don't remember his name. (Chris something?)

Anyways, I found it to be an impressive collection, certainly much better than the small amount of the Oakeshott collection that was on display the last time I was there. I preferred it quite a bit to the collecton on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art as well.

Scott, thanks for the info! I don't think I can make the opening this weekend, but this is now on my list of things to do this summer.

Sweet, I'll finally be moving back home to the States (southern WI) in a couple weeks. I'll have to pop by the next time I head up to the Twin Cities.

I have some pics from my visit today that Gary said would be ok to post online, but they are apparently too large to attach. Once I get them reformatted I'll add them. In the meantime, if anyone is considering visiting next weekend I could send them via PM or email.

I had a great time at the museum today. I was very impressed. There is Roman through 17th century arms, armor and miscellaneous accessories. I highly recommend seeing the collection if you are in the area. We bought a membership so we can go again soon.

@Michael Pikula: It was nice to meet you in person. The swords you brought are breathtaking, a real first rate job. I don't think I have ever handled single handed swords that feel so lively as yours do. Again, great job! If I ever have an opportunity to commission work with you, I will.

@Anyone interested in attending:
The Castle Rock Museum is open every Friday and Saturday 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM.

Basic admission: $5.00
Students: $3.00
Small Children (with supervising adults) / Active Duty personal: FREE
1 YR Member, 2 adults + children/grandchildren + 4 guest passes: $20.00
1 YR Member, 1 adult + 2 guest passes: $12.50

Note: Non-flash photography for personal use is acceptable.

Here is a link to an article about the museum and a pic of their Maxmillian

Castlerock Museum
[ Linked Image ]

Best
Craig

The museum looks really great! I found a gallery of pictures just now; their collection is pretty extensive.

http://leadertelegram.mycapture.com/mycapture...amp;view=1

The one thing I'm noticing that's off is that in pictures 6 and 15, they've got an anachronistic, fantasy-inspired shirt on display alongside extant weaponry. I think I'll be contacting the museum about swapping that out.

Just noticed the website link has changed. The new website is much improved and has better info along with a few pictures of pieces.

http://www.castlerockmuseum.com/main/

The museum will be open every day this coming Labor Day weekend, Fri - Mon. Still just 1-4 though. The docent corp is totally volunteer, and many of us can't do more than a few hours a month at this point.

Also a note from the website that many here might find interesting:

Quote:

Renaissance Re-enactment and Medieval Music Groups: We actively seek Renaissance or Medieval Reenactment groups and Medieval Music Groups who would like to work with us to organize and set up special events at Castlerock Museum. Please contact us.

Here are some of the pictures I promised before.

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