Where can you go to see 8,500 books about cats? Why would you want to? For those who have cats, the first is the only question. For others, it's the second. Then again, maybe even cat owners are wondering about the first, but the cats themselves know why. They understand that cats are the center of the universe and it's time for humans to recognize it.
The place to see these books and many more feline artifacts is the Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio. You can combine a visit with one to the somewhat better known Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, only an hour's drive away in Cleveland. Among the advantages of the Feline Museum are it's only $5 and less crowded. Cats also bring thousands of years of history with them while rock and roll has less than 80. If you have time for only one, it's obvious which you should choose.
The museum is located on the first floor of the Cat Fanciers Association headquarters. Formed in 1906, it describes its aims as, "the welfare of all cats; the promotion and improvement of CFA recognized breeds of cats; the registering, recording or identifying by number or by other means the names and/or pedigrees of cats and kittens..." and other things pertaining to cat shows.
The Feline Historical Museum has a room devoted to their extensive collection of cat magazines. They go back as far as 1931. Titles include Cats Magazine, Our Cats, Cat Fancy, The Cat Gazette, Cat World, I Love Cats, and many others. Many have disappeared, but fortunately, others have appeared to take their place. The Cat Fancy Association explains, "All of these are considered invaluable to the collection of information about the early beginnings and development of our breeds."
Like many of you, I share a home with cats, two of them. I don't think they would qualify for cat shows as their provenance is unknown. They arrived without invitation, but have generously consented to letting us stay, provided we feed them. That sounds like a reasonable deal. I know my place.
