Barry Levenson, a Worcester native and longtime Boston Red Sox fan, vividly recalls the night of Game 7 in the 1986 World Series, when the Red Sox lost to the New York Mets. Watching from his home in Wisconsin, Levenson was left deeply disappointed and restless. Seeking a distraction, he drove to an all-night grocery store and found himself drawn to the mustard aisle. That spontaneous moment sparked a passion that eventually led to the creation of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Established over four decades ago, the museum began as a modest personal collection and has since grown to house more than 7,200 varieties of mustard, as well as related items like vintage tins, pots, and advertisements. The nonprofit institution, located about 18 miles from Madison, attracts visitors interested in the history, culture, and culinary uses of mustard.

The museum operates on an annual budget of around $100,000, funded primarily through events such as the celebration of National Mustard Day on August 7 and the Worldwide Mustard Competition, a global contest inviting producers to submit their products. Admission to the museum is free, allowing visitors to enjoy amenities such as the Mustardpiece Theatre, which screens films related to mustard, and access to the world’s only mustard vending machine, providing samples to those unsure which mustard to choose.

Levenson, who served as assistant attorney general in Wisconsin and headed the state’s Criminal Appeals division, has combined his professional background with his enthusiasm for mustard. He even recalls carrying a jar of mustard during oral arguments in a U.S. Supreme Court case, Griffin v. Wisconsin, which he won.

Members of the museum’s board, including marketing director Ken Zuckerman from Arlington, attribute Levenson’s interest in mustard to his early experiences growing up near Jewish delis on Long Island, where mustard and horseradish were staple sandwich accompaniments. Levenson’s palate further developed during his time dabbling in gourmet cooking while in law school.

Visitors to the museum can purchase from the largest selection of mustard varieties available in the United States, with approximately 100 flavors available for tasting. The museum embraces a playful spirit with features like “Poupon U,” a fictional mustard-themed college complete with its own fight song. Levenson, now 80, frequently performs the song for guests.

Zuckerman notes the global significance of mustard, explaining that mustard seeds are cultivated on every continent except Antarctica and have historical ties dating back to ancient Egypt, where pharaohs included mustard seeds in their burial offerings.

The National Mustard Museum has become a unique cultural landmark blending history, culinary arts, and humor, all rooted in Levenson’s unexpected venture into the world of condiments following a heartbreaking baseball defeat.