The other day I was sitting in a city park trying to unwind after a long work day. Although there were typical city noises in the background, like the sirens of fire engines and the buzzing of air conditioners, I was mostly left alone to read my book in peace. I say mostly because there were pigeons of course, who kept flapping in my general direction, even though I had no food. Ah, pigeons…or should I say rats with wings. A bird so universally hated around the world (well, except for Mike Tyson…seriously he’s their biggest defender) that I’m a bit surprised there is a museum dedicated to them. But like I always say, there’s a museum for everything.
The American Pigeon Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma originally started in 1973 as the American Homing Pigeon Institute, an organization devoted to the sport of training pigeons. But after twenty years there was a growing collection of artifacts and memorabilia so the organization opened a pigeon museum and the affiliated “World of Wings” pigeon center. Another twenty years went by and the collection expanded yet again into a new facility. There are displays of clocks, statues, paintings, advertisements, mounted wings, and World War I and II homing pigeons. The museum even has live pigeons and flight shows so visitors can see the birds in action. And don’t worry they won’t steal your food. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll leave the museum with a better appreciation for rats with wings. Oops! I meant pigeons!
