The Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting was nominated to win USA Today’s Best Pop Culture Museum title.
USA Today’s 10Best honors attractions and things to do across the nation. The museum category includes a variety of types of museums, ranging from history to science to music museums. The Mascot Hall of Fame is a contender for the best pop culture museum spot.
The Mascot Hall of Fame preserves and celebrates the cultural aspects of mascots. The museum offers interactive exhibits and memorabilia honoring popular mascots, such as Boomer of the Indiana Pacers and Tommy Hawk of the Chicago Blackhawks.
According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, there are more than 35,000 museums in the United States — more than twice the number of McDonald’s restaurants. The top picks for USA Today’s 10Best are based on public voting.
Voting is open to the public until Feb. 12. Individuals interested in voting for the Mascot Hall of Fame can visit USA Today’s 10Best website and locate the Best Pop Culture Museum category. The winners will be announced Feb. 23.
The Mascot Hall of Fame opened in 2018. The museum’s mission is to educate, promote fun, engage in communities and honor Mascot Hall of Fame inductees. Over 21,000 guests visited the museum in 2022.
USA Today’s 10Best highlights the best in contests in multiple categories. The categories cover destinations, food and drink, hotels and activities. Past winners in the pop culture museum category include the Comic-Con Museum, Paisley Park and the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum.
