The idea for the UCM Museum started by chance, when John Preble met Ross Ward at Tinkertown Museum, Ward's New Mexico roadside attraction.

Preble had taken his family on a weeklong vacation to see the Santa Fe area when he discovered Tinkertown. "Like most families, we enjoy roadside attractions and from the brochure we had, this one looked like it would be fun." Preble remembers. "We weren't disappointed. As we walked through Ward's museum I was totally overwhelmed and intrigued."

Preble left Tinkertown with idea of creating a Southern version of Tinkertown. "Before seeing Tinkertown, I didn't realize that the public might be interested in seeing my collections and inventions. The UCM Museum now allows me to have an environment to share with people what I have been collecting and making for a long time." Preble says.

Visitors to the UCM will find a renovated gasoline service station, a ninety year old Creole cottage, a new exhibit hall, the beautiful "House of Shards," and other buildings.

Of particular interest to the RV crowd is the old Airstream with an attached flying saucer. Inside the aluminum crash site visitors will see aliens living at home in Airstream.

The museum grounds are landscaped with lots of bamboo and vines and constructed several aquarium ponds that have native fish.

The UCM is decorated throughout with tens of thousands of bottles, bottle caps, license plates, springs, motors, and "what all." Preble used thousands of found objects, and home made inventions to create an incredible miniature Southern town. Among the animated exhibits you'll see are: a miniature Mardi Gras parade with Martians in the crowd, a southern plantation next to an oil refinery, a general store, a Cajun barbecue shack, mini golf, New Orleans jazz funeral, and a red neck trailer court. As one walks the grounds, it becomes obvious that this museum is a fun house built by an artist who enjoys life. Preble is often on the premises in his studio -- he enjoys chatting with travelers, so be sure to say hello.

Also on exhibit are collections of old radios, wacky postcards, vintage bicycles, Southern memorabilia, folk art, pocket combs, barbed wire, garden hoses, and old arcade machines.

Preble has friends among the local artisans and craftsmen – this has allowed him to stock the museum's gift shop with great handcrafted items from some of the area’s finest craftsmen. The gift shop also has the typical roadside attraction gifts like whoopee cushions, tee shirts, maps, souvenirs, and local cookbooks.

Abita Springs is located across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans and with its historic district; it may be the prettiest small town near New Orleans. Other Abita Springs attractions include a free tourist park with tall pines, a huge 120 year old pavilion and picnic grounds on the Abita River, B&Bs, the Abita Brewery, bike rentals, historic district, restaurants and shops. Bicyclists, roller-bladers, hikers, joggers, and horseback riders can enjoy the Tammany Trace, a former railroad line 31 miles long.