A special and strange museum in Portland

(JANUARY 2, 2026) In Portland, there is a very unique place called the Zymoglyphic Museum. It is located in a small garage at 6215 SE Alder St. near Mount Tabor. This museum is different because it shows the art and history of a place that does not really exist. The Zymoglyphic Museum is like a window into someone's dream; it takes ordinary things from our world and turns them into a magical story from another place.

The museum was started by an artist named Jim Stewart in the year 2000. He created a fictional world called the "Zymoglyphic region". He says he "made it up," but he treats the history very seriously. He uses "found objects" to create beautiful and strange sculptures. These objects include things like old metal, bones, shells, and wood.

Inside the museum, there are many different rooms and collections. One of the most famous pieces is the Zymoglyphic Mermaid. It is made from a dried fish and has small taxidermy eyes. Many people think it is weird, but they cannot stop looking at it.

Other exhibits include:

• The Rust Age: Figurines made from old, decaying metal and bone.

• The Age of Wonder: Small boxes called dioramas that show magical scenes.

• The Cybernetic Aquarium: Digital art made from computer math and pixels.

• The Zymoglyphic Post Office: Special stamps and postcards from this imaginary land.

What Does "Zymoglyphic" Mean? The word "zymoglyphic" is not a real word in the dictionary. Jim Stewart invented it. It refers to the "fermentation" of creative ideas on natural objects. Stewart describes his work as "the zymoglyphic way," which means he spontaneously puts things together to see what happens.

If you want to visit this "weird" part of Portland, here is what you need to know:

• Admission is free.

• The museum is only open on the second and fourth Sunday of every month.

• It is open from 11 AM to 3 PM.

• The museum is small, so only groups of six people or fewer can enter at one time.

• Visitors must use stairs to get to the exhibits.