Austin and Stone's Dime Museum, Entertainment venue in Scollay Square, Boston, United States.
Austin and Stone's Dime Museum was an entertainment venue in Scollay Square featuring multiple performance spaces and exhibit halls inside its building. The venue displayed preserved specimens, unusual animals, trained performers, and various acts designed to appeal to a wide range of visitors.
William Austin and Frank Stone established the museum in 1885 to meet the growing demand for affordable entertainment in Boston. It operated successfully for approximately two decades before its closure, becoming one of the city's most visited attractions during that period.
Visitors came to see performers with remarkable talents, including acrobats, magicians, and lightning calculators who performed regularly throughout the day. These acts reflected what captivated audiences in late 1800s Boston and shaped the entertainment culture of the era.
Admission to the main exhibits cost a dime, with additional fees for special performances and premium attractions. Visitors could spend several hours exploring the different performance spaces and viewing the various displays throughout the venue.
The museum was known for its collection of preserved oddities and curiosities, including two-headed animals and rare specimens from around the world. A standout attraction was Professor Welton's performing cats, which regularly demonstrated their trained skills on stage.
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