Inside Lost Worlds Taprooms, our guests discover a collection of maps, artifacts, souvenirs, masks, carvings, and other items from around the world. We call these items Taproom Artifacts and many of them have a rich story behind them. Over the years, we’ve divulged some of those stories, but we still have a number whose stories are yet to be told.

A common question from our guests is where do the artifacts come from? The answer is not straightforward or simple. They come from just about anyone and anywhere – there is no common linkage. For example…

· Many artifacts were from individual collections that were donated prior to the opening of the brewery (see the Guatemalan masks in the Cornelius taproom).

· The collection of items from Spain (Cornelius Taproom) were purchased at a flea market in Madrid by a friendly archaeologist.

· The African mask and weapons in the Metropolitan Taproom were purchased on ebay from a local collector who visited Africa regularly for several decades.

But arguably some of our most prized Taproom Artifacts were donated by friends and guests. They found unique items and thought they might fit nicely in our taprooms. And we couldn’t be more appreciative of their contribution to the décor of Lost Worlds. Our story is never finished. For example…

James and Gabriele Snyder were visiting France and happened across a stunning picture of Mont Saint-Michel, a tidal island and mainland commune in Normandy, France. First constructed in the 8th century, the legend is the archangel Michael demanded the Bishop of Avranches build a church on the rocky islet. Over the following centuries, the islet was the scene of multiple conflicts including the Hundreds Year War. Declared a historical treasure in 1872, it was a major attraction for German tourists during WWII until the end of the occupation when it was liberated by American soldiers. In 1979 it was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites and today it remains a major attraction. Thank you James and Gabriele! Today the picture resides in our Cornelius taproom right off the bar.

Another donated artifact was contributed by Colt Bradley, who worked in New Guinea for the Peace Corp, and brought the Conde Mask (Cornelius taproom to the left of the sliding door) back as a gift to the brewery. The Conde is a protector mask from Haute Guinea. When French colonists first arrived in Haute Guinea, the villagers welcomed them with a celebration. Part of the festivities included a man wearing a Conde mask dancing for the guests. His dancing was so elaborate that the French mistook him for an animal and expressed their wish to purchase this unique animal. The Chieftain negotiated a price as the Conde disappeared into the nearby brush. Immediately thereafter, the Chief informed the man dressed as the Conde of the sale. The Conde took off the mask, returned to the village, and joined the search for the Conde (himself!). This story gave rise to the Conde rule that he prefers to be paid before he works, because if a problem arises afterwards, it’s not his problem anymore! Today the Conde mask is worn by a person, called the Conde, at all ceremonies including marriages, post-harvest ceremonies, the Fish Festival of Baro, and more. The Conde’s role during these ceremonies is to keep the peace by protecting attendees from those with bad intentions.

These two donations adorn Lost Worlds’ walls today. However, there is always room for more Taproom Artifacts. If you care to donate an item, please send an email to adventureguide@lostworldsbeer. We are always looking for interesting items with great stories to share with our guests.

Where do the Taproom Artifacts come from?