The Soda Museum and Main Street Arcade in St. Charles, Missouri preserves and displays over a century of cola history.
Opened in December 2023 by Tom Smith, the museum showcases objects from his personal collection. It includes toys, games, ephemera, advertising, vending machines, bottles, glassware, and other items representing the historical and social significance of carbonated soft drinks.
Among the artifacts are an 1880s French Coca Wine (an early incarnation of what would become Coca-Cola), an 1890s urn syrup dispenser, and the piece that ignited Smith’s childhood interest in cola: a 1937 Coca-Cola tray.
The museum building itself is historic. It was constructed in 1896 and restored by Smith after years of neglect. While the museum sits on the main floor, the basement houses a 5,000 square-foot arcade of classic video and pinball games that belonged to Smith’s father.
Admission to the museum is $10. The free-play arcade is an additional $10.
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