American Museum of Tort Law

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The American Museum of Tort Law is a museum that Ralph Nader plans to build in his hometown of Winsted, Connecticut. Originally announced in 1998,^[1] at an expected cost of $5^[2] or $10 million,^[3] Nader sought a way to turn abstract legal cases, on which he has spent significant time working, into interesting displays for the public. The museum plans to include a display on a number of famous cases including McDonalds' scalding coffee,^[4] flammable pajamas, asbestos, breast implants, medical malpractice and the pollution of the Love Canal.^[1]

The museum faced criticism from a number of sources, including questions on whether the museum would attract an audience^[1] and whether it would be anything more than Nader's tribute to himself.^[5] It was anticipated that the museum would open in late 2006 following eight years of planning and at a cost of more than $4 million.^[6] As of April 2006, Nader had raised more than half the funds necessary, despite some funders leaving the project,^[4] and the plans to use a former factory on Main Street had been approved by the town.^[7]

Whether the museum will be completed or not is unknown as of 2008.