Sign Pointing to the Torture Museum in Wisconsin Dells

The Torture Museum is one of several novelty attractions along the main tourist strip in Wisconsin Dells, a city whose downtown economy has centered on tourism since the mid-20th century. Storefront museums of this kind typically display replicas of medieval and early modern devices — racks, iron maidens, stocks — paired with placards describing their historical use. Wisconsin Dells draws several million visitors annually, and its commercial strip mixes water parks with wax museums, haunted houses, and similar paid attractions competing for foot traffic.