Where Did THAT Come From – Springsonian Museum

In our silly lil game, we sometimes see things pop in that we have no clue as to their Origin. They seem familiar, but we just can’t pinpoint from where. So that is why we decided to make a fun lil reminder out of it. To let you know just Where Did THAT Come From?

For anyone who doesn’t know… I’m a history major and truly, I think that all started with a childhood love of museums. Dinosaurs, artifacts, and more! I love learning more and more about the things I hold dear. Among an assortment of interests are human history and The Simpsons. Sometimes, those world collide and this is one of those days. It may have all started with a toaster, as my morning often do, but this event included another museum for me to smile about. Woohoo! As usual, new additions mean it’s time for me to stop eating cheetos in my recliner while working on my weekly podcast and get to writing about the origins for it all. It’s always a pleasure to re-watch episodes of the Best. Show. Ever. For this round of origins, we’ll be taking at another freemium building that arrived at the beginning of Act One of the 2017 Time Traveling Toaster Event, the Springsonian Museum.

“Lost Our Lisa” (S9:E24)

It’s teacher conference day and the kids of Springfield get to be free on a weekday. Not too shabby for the teachers either since they get to go on roller coasters. A visit to ye old joke shop leads to Bart gluing hilarious fixtures to his face with a little help from his dad and some industrial strength glue called Etern-a-bond. Meanwhile, Marge and Lisa are excited to check out the treasures of Isis at the Springsonian Museum.

It’s not lost on me what a simpler time it was back in 1998 with an exhibit named that. Leave it to Bart’s antics to result in Lisa not being able to go to the museum with her Mom to see the exhibit on it’s last day before it all returns to England. Lisa gets permission to take the bus from her Dad instead. It’s much cheaper than a limo.

Poor Lisa’s first experience with the bus isn’t too good as her route wasn’t the 22 like it is on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. She gets on the 22A instead to Little Newark, Crackton, and Area 51-A.

Poor lil Lisa is lost but have no fears. Sure she could have gotten a ride with Cletus in a truck bed full of roadkill while Brandine birthed another youngin in the cab but then we wouldn’t have gotten Bart’s terror sweat at Hibbert’s with a scary button applicator or Carl wearing a pyramid hat souvenir from the museum to remind Homer that he is not a great parent some of the time.

Lisa’s journey teaches us so much. Did you know Springfield had a Russian district? I love getting a brief cameo from the Khlav Kalash vendor.

We get a full view of the museum while Homer is searching for Lisa after realizing letting an eight-year-old ride the bus alone was not his best idea. I still think it’s cheaper than a limo Homie so don’t be too hard on yourself. I’d be more concerned about that Flanders doppelganger you ran right past.

Speaking of origins… Wiggums 24 hr “Go on a Stake Out” task hails from here too.

Anyhoo… Lisa eventually is found using a cherry picker, general “I lost my kid” franticness, and Homer’s lovely ineptitude. Moral of the story… “stupid risks are what make life worth living.” How else could you enjoy Egyptian artifacts by breaking into the Springsonian after hours?

The Springsonian (and the version we see in TSTO) shows up again in “Mom and Pop Art” (S10:E19). I’m not surprised since other buildings from this event hailed from here. Homer has become a modern outsider artist with well-loved masterpieces made of old baseball cards, Disney memorabilia, and antiques. Okay… that’s not entirely true. One of his DIY mess ups was respected. After an installation of other projects fails, Marge takes Homer to the Springsonian to get inspiration for future art. Lots of art (including Matt Greoning and a giant pencil eraser) and a beautiful art-inspired dream for Homer. Worth checking out if art is your thing.

There’s one more appearance to speak of in “Crook and Ladder” (S18:E19). This time, it features in Homer, Apu, Moe, and Skinner becoming volunteer firefighters after a freak accident involving Homer’s zombified driving, a false alarm, chili, and dalmatians. The volunteers end up looting the places they put fires out at after the prestige (and favors) they get as public servants wanes. Not cool but it does bring us the Springsonian.

So there you go friends. The origin for the newest museum in our games. What do you think of it? Remember the episodes? Happy for another free building? Sound off in the comments and happy time traveling friends.

TTFN… Wookiee out!