Literally in the middle of nowhere Argentina (actually in a town called Nono) is the Rocsen Museum, a “multi-faceted” collection of 23,000 artifacts from every aspect of human life. The collection was started by Juan Santiago Bouchon, originally from France, who was determined to not only acquire archaeological and anthropological pieces from Argentina, but everything else important in the world. The front door of the museum is guarded by 49 handmade statues, including artist Leonardo da Vinci, inventor Johannes Gutenberg, Saint Francis of Assisi, conservationist Rachel Carson, and activist Mahatma Gandhi, who, according to Bouchon, contributed to the evolution of thought and humanity. Once inside visitors will see that the collection is arranged by theme in eight rooms, filled to capacity from floor to ceiling. There’s everything from mineral samples and animal skeletons (including a two-headed cow) to pieces of clothing, aboriginal art, cutlery, toys, musical instruments, and “every single piece of machinery ever made by men.” Visitors will find Bouchon himself walking around the museum (maybe because he lives there, which explains why it is open 365 days a year, sometimes until midnight) and checking that the visitor feel comfortable, always willing to share and listen. He loves and knows every single piece, and he can tell you what it is, where it came from and who invented it. So if you’ve always wanted to go to a mini-Smithsonian in the middle of the desert, then this is your place.
Rocsen Museum, Argentina
