Roadside Attractions

Have you ever slept in a wigwam? Or taken a selfie with Paul Bunyan? Ever stepped inside an alligator’s mouth? Since Americans took to the highways for long-distance travel in the 1920s, entrepreneurs have been dreaming up unusual structures to attract passing motorists. Although the heyday passed with the arrival of interstate highways, thousands of quirky roadside attractions remain. Join pop culture historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D. to explore these unique structures and what they tell us about the history of road travel. 

Leslie Goddard is an award-winning actress and scholar who has been presenting history programs for more than twenty years. She holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University specializing in American studies and U.S. history as well as a master’s degree in theater. A former museum director, she is the author of three books on history and currently works fulltime as an author and public speaker.