Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum !!!

So this is the place I was referencing going to in the pre- thanksgiving post! It's a traveling museum just of vintage aluminum Christmas trees! I first heard about it last year when it was in our local newspaper ('Hurricane Alley', Florida). It was hidden somewhere in it, not on the front page or anything. I made it a mission to it this year due to my love of vintage Christmas stuffs (I have 4 vintage trees myself!)! It's located a few hours from my mom's house in North Carolina. The museum is called ATOM . ATOM is the acronym for the Aluminum Tree and aesthetically Challenged Seasonal Ornament Museum & Research Center. Love it, however I think they left a few letters out of that acronym! The top photo sums that definition up very well, I think! This year the museum was within a historic house that it's self is a museum. There were 3 rooms packed with the aluminum trees. Displayed were about 30 large trees and 20 smaller ones along with 10 color wheels and 5 revolving stands. Most of the trees have unusual themes to them.
(L-R themes) Star trek, the first tree ever in ATOM, Marilyn Monroe, and I guess, Crystal Gayle .
I know nothing about Crystal Gayle so I don't quite get why the tree has purple and gold balls and flowers stuff on it, I would think it would have long locks of hair hanging from it, but oh well!

This is the Elvis tree, Tucked in the branches were little pictures and mini lunch boxes of the King, also a set of fake sideburns. On the main website it shows that the record star seen near the bottom of the tree is suppose to be the topper. This one had a Burger King kid's paper crown on the top. I think the record star would have been the wiser choice!

This one is really funny! It's a Tammy Faye Bakker tree. It has tubes of lipstick, mascara, fake eyelashes, a ball cap that says 'Saved', a putty knife with what looks like tan make-up on it, and actual PTL ornaments from 1985. Under this tree where a few of her records and books.

Pink Flamingo tree. Also seen somewhat, off to the right, is an aluminum bonsai tree with silver fortune cookies hanging from it. And in the background on the window ledge are some of the smaller trees.

Here is a view of the third room. In this room was a Star Wars, Wizard of Oz, disco ball, snowball, patriotic, angel, and a few 'this and that' tree themes.

Even Pumpkinbutt got to enjoy the museum, of coarse this has taken when the curators backs were turned!

On the website, a few other trees that I mentioned, but not pictured, are shown. I was disappointed that the bathroom tree was not displayed this time (it can be seen in part on the website). It apparently has shower curtain rings linked together to make a garland,toilet tank balls and rubber ducks hanging from the branches. Under most of the trees displayed this time were vintage stuff, like records, kitchen trash bags in an original container and a space age looking mini TV set as the 'gifts'. There were Christmas lights lit and hanging from the ceiling and vintage Christmas kitsch decorating the fireplace mantles. It was very neat! I highly recommend going if you live near the Asheville, NC area.