The project got international press attention and the idea for a museum developed from there. Upon their return from Belgium, the Hugheses came back to the states pondering how to translate their love and respect for the potato to the American public. The Potato Museum officially came into being when the Hugheses opened an exhibition on Capitol Hill. The Hugheses were asked to donate items such as photographs, tools and pottery on the potato. Once the exhibit ended its run in 1992, Meredith and her husband decided to move the museum to their Albuquerque, NM home.
Most people think museums about food are hilarious until they're hungry.
Despite the fact that the museum operated out of their home, the Hugheses continued to collect artifacts profiling the potato's place in history. They also started writing Peelings, a fact-filled newsletter all about the potato. Hughes confesses that the newsletter no longer exists because she doesn't have time to keep producing it. This spring the Web site displays articles about the potato's relationship with baseball. The site also includes interesting facts about potatoes and features t01he potato joke of the month.