What) The name of Marvin Carr's museum should be taken literally. While there may be, somewhere on earth, another water-cooled World War I German machine gun or the top third of a stuffed 16-foot-tall giraffe, nowhere else will you see both in the same room. Just here. "I like the unusual and the magnificent and the beautiful," Marvin explained to us. "I kind of mix everything up." Marvin was born in 1927. He worked as a railroad switch man, got injured, retired, invested, made money. At age 70, he cashed in his stocks and decided to open a museum. In a genuinely one-of-a-kind approach, he bought the museum building first -- an unfinished Spokane warehouse -- and only then began buying things to fill it.
Marvin gives every visitor a personal tour of his collection, which ranges from exotic treasures to gag gifts usually found in bars in the 1950s. "Living death masks" of old Hollywood stars hang on one wall, next to a matador costume and two stuffed squirrels riding a tiny fire engine. He walked us past the "world's largest World War II destroyer model" (13 feet long), and a slightly smaller replica of a 17th century French warship, made of 27,500 matchsticks. He flicked a switch to make a stuffed Chokie Lion ("the largest ever shot") growl, and showed us one of his more recent purchases, the largest stuffed black bear in the world. There's no need to deconstruct Marvin Carr's museum beyond the obvious: it's filled with things that Marvin likes and that he wants others to like, too. Marvin also writes adventure novels, which he sells at the museum ("Nobody buys them," he cracked), and seems happy to spend his money and entertain whoever stops by. "You can't get people to come in here," he told us, "but I really don't care that much. I want them to come, but I'm also having one hell of a wonderful time." (1)
Where) 5225
North Freya Street Northeast edge of the
city. Sat-Sun 1-4 1-509-489-8859
Why) This
is one of those Buckys that will usually be filled with “junk”
that only the owner can love. Very rarely though, the
owner's tastes will match your own and you will find yourself
in the most wonderful place you can imagine. This is
what happened to me during the 5 hours I spent enthralled by
the many marvelous items that Marvin has purchased over the
years. This is by far my favourite Buckys on the trip
and one of best places I have ever been in my life. My
pictures can't capture that sort of experience but perhaps
they can give you a very small taste. 
... what I like about either view of this bird.
This is just a powerful image.
I thought this guy looked wise.
I liked all the detailed work on this painted porcelain figure.
Here is an example.
There was only one carving but I think the image looks nicer this way.
