I liked the view of the river outside the museum. We didn't spend a lot of time in the building because we had a lot of activities planned that day. It did have a little video you could watch. The statue outside was cute.
Located in a small park next to the beautiful Mississippi river you will find the Popeye statue of Chester. The park was clean and easy to find. The statue itself was smaller than I thought it would be but too tall for a selfie. Starting from the ground there's a 5 ft tall concrete slab with a bit history on it. On top of the slab is the statue itself which is also around 5 ft bringng the total structure to around 10ft. So the selfie I had invisioned, the one were one of my arms is around his neck and we're both smiling, didn't turn out. Instead I settled for one with him towering behind me and proceded to make my way over to the small observation deck that over looked the river.
This stop was a big surprise indeed! This was not on our Route 66 planned route but after us two Irish girls got lost between Chicago and St. Lois we came across this little gem! Needless to say there are good points to every bad situation! Unfortunately we drove through the night getting lost so when we passed through it was the early am and the town was still fast asleep! But really cool little place!
Go to Chester the first weekend after Labor Day, they have Popeye Fest! This soo much fun and awesome. People come from all over the world to attend this. The museam brought back so many memories for me. Just a lot of fun!
My wife and I stumbled upon this neat museum on a road trip through the Midwest. I admit to reading comic books as a kid, though I was never a Popeye fan. This museum is small, but packed with memorabilia of Popeye characters. It's interesting and worth seeing if you're in the area.
The museum portion was no bigger than a closet and it looked like it contained the same stuff as was for sale in the front. Was next door to a nice little park with a statue of Wimpy. Other statues all over the town of Chester. Cool little day trip.
I remember Popeye well from my childhood, yet not a huge fan. It is a small museum, and that is the complaint. There is a lot to look at, but not much room to do so. The items in the museum are interesting and worth a look. Just don't have very high expectations.
This is a great childhood memory. I no longer live in the area but anytime I'm about to cross the bridge into Missouri, I stop and take a pic with Popeye. I also sometimes make a special stop here after the Rendezvous at Fort de Chartres.
The Popeye cartoonist creator Elzie Crisler Segar was born Dec 8, 1894 in Chester, IL. and Popeye and friends are alive and well throughout the town of Chester. The Museum is located on the bluff overlooking the mighty Mississippi and offers everything you need for a complete Southern Illinois vacation. www.chesterill.com www.popeyepicnic.comThe "Great river road" is a very nice back road cruzze."I yam what I yam, an' that's all I yam..!"See ya down the road... .. .O o- Carl (BC Mayor...=)~
Chester is a cool town. With the Popeye status as you come off the bridge and then when driving through town, you will see Olive Oil, Brutus, Sweet Pea, and others!