Review: Abita Mystery House

Give us an overview of this place.
Formerly the UCM Museum (the "you-see-em" Museum), this none-more-quirky stop might fall into the broad category of roadside attractions. A variety of buildings make up the "house," from a large wooden main hall to a retro gas station that make up the entrance to a pristine Creole cottage.

What kinds of pieces will we see?
The museum is the collection and living gallery of home-grown artist John Prebel. The furthest stretches of his imagination are all on display here, from wall-sized mosaics to miniature city scenes, to sculptures of half-human hybrid creatures to an Airsteam trailer that has collided with a flying saucer. Eclectic almost begins to cover it.

Is it easy to get around?
You’re free to wander around as you please and be drawn to whatever takes your fancy. Considering the fine line it walks between hoarded junk and fine art, the place is well organized, though that’s a relative term.

What did you make of the crowd?
The museum has enough accessibility to attract families as well as those who search out these weird fringes of artistic Americana.

Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it?
There’s a small gift shop that stocks various bits and pieces including esoteric jewelry made by local designers.

How much time do we need to clear for a visit?
Ninety minutes or an hour would be a longish time to spend here, but if you really want to take in the detail (and some of it is truly impressive) of every piece, then that could fill a couple of hours quite nicely.