A purrfect museum for cat lovers

The American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, North Carolina, showcases everything you need to know about cats. There are a few live ones too.

Happy Cat Month! In honor of this feline-themed September, we're continuing our cat blogs with a trip to the American Museum of the House Cat in western North Carolina.

I'm a wanderer and explorer so when I spotted the sign for the American Museum of the House Cat, naturally my wheels veered in that direction. I'm a longtime cat owner so no matter how wacky this attraction may be, I knew I was in for some kind of treat.

The museum is the brainchild of Howard W. Sims, a cat lover who spent a good portion of his life rescuing and placing cats in homes. He collected cat memorabilia and sold items at an antique market in western North Carolina. When those items took on a life of their own after 30 years of collecting, Sims decided to open a museum along U.S. Hwy. 4415 outside Sylva, North Carolina.

Like many unfortunate businesses, the museum featuring Sims' private collection opened in 2020 only to paws (had to throw in a pun) during the pandemic. It's now reopened with management and attracting cat lovers everywhere.

What visitors find for an entrance fee of $10 for adults is items filling up displays, everything from early kitty litter advertisements and the history behind litter to a massive carousel sporting original handcrafted cat seats. There are cats in films (remember Pyewacket from "Bell, Book and Candle?"), artwork on every free space of walls and cats in music such as "Cats" and vaudeville shows—even a Taylor Swift guitar! Cats were used in popular products such as watches, clocks (remember the ones where the tails moved?) and amusements, such as carnival attractions and board games. And naturally, there's a display on black cats and Halloween.

What will amaze some—perhaps horrify others—is the mummified cats on display, including one from ancient Egypt.

The museum also sports a room of cat reference books, for those looking for more information. There's also four live felines running around, in case a dose of cat love is needed. One with a fluffy tail like a duster followed me around begging for attention. Naturally, she got plenty.

Be sure and check out the bathroom. It, too, has been heavily decorated with Sims' items, from cat photos all over the walls—even the toilet—to a cat mirror and other items.

The American Museum of the House Cat is open daily and located near both Sylva and Franklin, North Carolina. You can't miss it. A giant metal cat is located out front the front door has a massive painted cat greeting visitors. Follow the museum on Facebook.

Weird, Wacky & Wild South is written by Cheré Dastugue Coen, an avid cat lover. She is the mom to two adorable gingers and just adopted a black cat named Mikko. Since she is from Louisiana, she changed Mikko's name to Mikeaux.