The end of summer is a particularly opportune time to take road trips as people pause to take a breath before the arrival of a new autumn of responsibilities. One perennially popular destination in southern Wisconsin is, of course, Dr. Evermor's, the fantastical steampunk scrap-metal sculpture garden located just south of Baraboo on Highway 12.
Over the last two weekends, three sets of visitors have shared photos and comments about their experiences at the seven-acre festival of repurposed industrial castoffs. "A perfect day trip, really," writes a visitor from Madison. "All the pictures in the world would not do this place justice. You really have to go and see it for yourself. This place is beyond amazing."
For those not able to visit, though, there are numerous photo galleries and videos of the park available for viewing online. One of the latest, montage of photos and video clips from their visit.
The third visitor describes a conversation with Tom Every, the Dr. responsible for the creation:
He has long, gray hair, was wearing khakis and leather gloves, and was friendly, if not entirely straightforward. I'm not sure if he's mad, or just a genius, or both. I asked him about how all of the individual pieces tied together. It was obvious to me that they must, because the intricacy of the parts and the meticulousness of their arrangement. What he told me made some sort of sense, but I'm not sure if he was telling me A story or HIS story. Big difference between the two...
It was a lot of information to take in, especially since I didn't understand half of it. But I think the man's a genius, and so I didn't ask any questions that could be construed as a critique of his sanity (like, but why? why here? Why so big? Do you know how insane this whole thing is?). I don't think he's crazy, just mad in the way of all great artists.
Dr. Evermor's is open most weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the year. If a summer road trip to the park is out of the question, his metal menageries remains striking in the snow as well.
If you have a video about Madison or by Madisonians, please consider adding it to the Isthmus YouTube group or send a message.
