Uwishunu.com

(Clockwise from bottom left) Laurel Hill, a cemetery with a pedigree; the Mütter Museum; and a performance by the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. (Photos courtesy of Laurel Hill Cemetery, B. Krist and phillyfunguide.com)

What does “normal” mean, anyway? In Philadelphia, you’re free to explore whatever kooky interest your heart desires — and we’ve got the historical facts to back it up. Philadelphia, thanks for encouraging us to fly our freak flags.

Dear People Who Like Strange Things,

We totally get you. In fact, we have tons of quirky and cool characteristics too.

1.   Philadelphia holds some off-the-beaten-path museums. The Mütter Museum features medical curiosities; The Insectarium devotes its space to creepy crawlers; the Weaver Historical Dental Museum covers all-things mouth-related; and the Temple University School of Podiatry Shoe Museum displays a shoe collection that rivals Carrie Bradshaw’s.

2.   A pre-Super Bowl ritual, the Wing Bowl entertains, feeds and astounds more than 20,000 people. Amateur speed eaters race to see who can gobble the most chicken wings in a set period of time.

3.   Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829 with central heating, running water and flush toilets—amenities that the White House didn’t have. The prison housed gangster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton.

Peek into Al Capone's cell at Eastern State Penitentiary - it's still decorated as Al left it. (Photo by K. Ciappa)

4.   The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts provides proper training for trains those who dream of running away to join the circus. Students learn how to fly on a trapeze, juggle, ride a unicycle and more.

5.   And speaking of clowns: The Stoogeum in Lower Gwynedd is the world’s first and only museum of Three Stooges memorabilia.

6.   The world’s only full-size statue of Charles Dickens resides in University City’s Clark Park. Peering up at him is one of his most famous fictional characters, Little Nell.

7.   Historic Mount Laurel Hill Cemetery’s “Millionaire’s Row” comprises elaborate mausoleums that serve as the final resting places for some of Philadelphia’s most prominent 19th-century citizens. Among the Victorian-era cemetery’s occupants are Civil War General Meade, six Titanic victims and names like Rittenhouse and Strawbridge.

This Thanksgiving, We’re Thankful For… [uwishunu]

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