If you ever find yourself in Baltimore, Maryland as I did recently visiting friends, besides getting some great seafood, do yourself a major favor and go to Geppi’s Entertainment Museum. Little did I know when another friend of mine suggested visiting Geppi’s that I would be so taken in by this wonderful and timeless trip down memory lane. The museum itself is not overly big but it’s collection of classic movie posters, toys from not only my childhood but toys from nearly a century ago to its ultra-impressive comic book collection that let’s be honest, gave me a nerdgasm.
There are eight themed rooms that make up the museum. And they are:
A STORY IN FOUR COLORS
A Story in Four Colors is a comic book library like no other. Today, we’re enamored by superheroes. Movie theaters around the world showcase these heroes and tell their stories. But long before the cinema, there was the comic book. This room celebrates the legacy of this influential storytelling format in the grandest way possible. Where else could one find Action Comics #1 that gave the world Superman or Detective Comics #27 that introduced us to the Dark Knight, Batman. All this and not to mention characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and the Avengers.
Pop Culture, as we know it today had its roots that date back nearly a couple of hundred years ago. The Extra! Extra! room gives us a caveat of these roots and brings to light the earliest product pitchman that we take for granted today.
WHEN HEROES UNITE (1928-1945)
With America dealing with the Great Depression and another World War, a distraction was sorely needed. Such distractions came from real life adventurers like Lindbergh and Earhart to a mouse named Mickey created by a guy name Walt. In so many ways, it’s such individuals and characters that saved America.
The television age was alive and well in post World War 2 America. Western’s like the Lone Ranger or space adventures were all the rage. By the end of the 1950’s, the birth of Rock and Roll and the King will change America as we knew it and would be a prelude to the revolution that follows.
The British rock invasion, folksingers and men and women of great inspiration are at the center of the Revolution room. Music has always been considered the universal language that transcends cultures. This room embraces it to the max.
EXPANDING UNIVERSE (1971-1990)
Who remembers Pong and the Atari? What about 8-track tapes and the VHS? I do and the Expanding Universe room shows us how technology went from outside our homes to our living room.
A room that celebrates the information age we’re all a part of. Social Media and the Internet have shaped our world in ways only dreamt about and we haven’t even scratched the surface of our potential.
PIONEER SPIRIT: BALTIMORE HEROES
This room celebrates the City of Baltimore, which was founded in 1729. It’s distinct and rich history helped shape America into the country we are today. Baltimore Heroes celebrates and honors those achievements in a unique way that should not be overlooked by anyone visiting this incredible city.
I seriously could go on and on about how much I love Geppi’s but instead, all I’ll say is, get to Baltimore ASAP. It’s a charming city with great seafood, wonderful people and one of the finest museums you’ll ever visit. I hope it lives long and prospers.
JPB
The Dork Knight
