First some exciting news - it snowed at the same time I’m taking time off of work AND it’s the middle of a pandemic so I don’t have to drive anywhere! It’s downright idyllic.
I took that photo last night as we were heading out on the dog walk. Rowland enjoys the snow, and so do I. This fern may have a different opinion.
By the time the snow quit falling yesterday, we had right around 5 inches. It’s coming down again now, and the forecast says we could see a couple more inches before this is over. I’m a big fan of another cozy day inside watching the snow fall!
This week we’re going to wrap up our exciting exploration of wax museums and the figures that inhabit them.
By now, I’m sure you’re asking yourself, “what if I want to start my own wax museum, or maybe just have one figure to lurk in the corner and creep people out?”
I’ve got good news for you - I’ve found a source in China where you can order a life-size wax figure of your own. No price information though - write for a quote! Meaning, they probably cost an arm and a leg. Each figure for Madame Tussaud’s costs well over $200,000 - here’s a quick video that shows why.
I’m going to guess that these was figures are out of your price range - what are the alternatives? If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon a sale of figures from a museum that’s gone out of business like this set of 40 Amish figures. Somebody had a lucky day!
Which leads me to my original plan today, a quick tour of a few off-the-beaten track wax museums that definitely didn’t spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their wax figures. They might have got them secondhand (or third or fourth), or maybe they slapped them together out back in the workshop. No matter the source of their figures, all three museums have a similar goal - to share information about an historical time or events. Sit back, and enjoy our tour across the country… along with the folks who have reviewed these roadside attractions on Yelp.
If you’re looking for an in-depth recounting of the Salem witch trials, this is probably not the place for you.
The wax figures are absolutely laughable, and honestly kind of a creep fest. We were the only ones in there, so we made the most of it and made the entire experience kind of laughable. It does NOT do justice to the seriousness of the horrible things brought about by the witch trials. They should throw the whole thing away and redo the place...maybe hire some employees who pretend to have some semblance of enthusiasm as well. ~Tiana C.
So much potential could be had but lost it for me in the lack of upkeep. Paid $9 a head for about 10 mins of activity - most of which was in the gift shop looking at the t-shirts and mugs. Wax figures are in desperate need of repair. Some contorted in odd angles, eyes bulging, hair standing on end like the forgotten plastic baby doll in your grandma's attic. One of the figures was missing his fingers and another had been touched so much his face looked dirty and deformed. It was freezing in the museum part and the information provided was lacking. It's almost as if they don't care anymore. Harsh perhaps but meant to be motivational - I have fond memories from when I visited as a kid. ~Beth L.
The most horrible wax museum in the planet. Do NOT waste a single penny in this place. ~Nathan H.
Tiana is correct - the Salem witch trials were an horrific episode in early American history, and one can find plenty of books that fully tell the tale of superstition and abuse of power.
One can also wander to the nearby Witch Dungeon Museum, where even more wax figures await to terrorize the historically curious. This locale even included a live reenactment of a trial.
Not everyone was unhappy with the Salem Wax Museum - check out this review from this visitor from Texas, who seems to be a bit confused about the nature of the Salem witch trials.
If you want a voodoo doll purchase one here. I visited most of the witch stores in Salem and none had a real voodoo doll except for this store.
The staff of girls who work there are crazy. They talk out loud about their boyfriend problems and they talk badly about their coworkers. I've never seen so much envy between employees.
It's a great little store except for the background noise of the employees bad mouthing each other.
They need to play a bit of pagan/folk/witch music in the store. It will create the Salem black magic ambience most people expect in Salem. This store has so much potential because of its location to the cemetery out back. ~Lojeen H.
I think it’s time to move on to our next location.
If you’re all in for Jesse James conspiracy, then this is the place for you! There are some folks who think Jesse James wasn’t shot by Robert Ford, but actually faked his death and lived out a long life as J. Frank Dalton. Stop by this roadside attraction and you’ll learn the TRUE STORY of Jesse James.
Most of us are familiar with at least the basics of Jesse James’ life. He and his brother Frank led the James Gang, they committed a number of notorious crimes, and he died at the hand of a trusted gang-member who was after a hefty reward.
Despite claims to the contrary, DNA analysis of the exhumed body of Jesse James indicates that he did indeed expire in 1882.
But you be the judge! Do your own research!
Sorry, I got carried away for a moment. Anyhow, the reviewers of this museum have very different opinions.
This was a total waste of time! I was expecting to see some "Legend of Jesse James" stuff. Maybe learn about the outlaw. No... This was nothing more than Jesse James living until 1951. The scientific proof was some guy said so on their 10 minute video. The 'wax' figures looks like cheep mannequins! No Jesse James artifacts or anything. You can save yourself the money by watching a real video on YouTube, learn more on Wikipedia & print the same stuff they have from Google images. I was looking forward to going & it was straight garbage and a true disappointment! ~Mark M.
I don’t know who Uncle Zeke is - do your own research!
I had been wanting to go here for some time. I first saw the ads while traveling old Route 66. But if anyone has driven on a Missouri highway before, you've seen ads for Meramac Caverns, which is just up the road from the Wax Museum.
Unfortunately, they operate with tourist season and open after Memorial Day. But this is a diamond in the rough, I swear. The museum is based on the testimony of Rudy Turilli, who says that Jesse James was not shot by Robert Ford. In fact it was all a ruse, and Jesse lived to be 102.
There is a video you watch when you first enter the exhibit, with live video of Jesse James. Yes, I was skeptical too of the idea of "live video", but there is footage of the 102 year old James. Along with a WAX figure of the 102 y/o!!!
I KNOW. TOO COOL!
It even turned out the nice man playing banjo tending the museum was related to James.
This place totally trumps the Caverns. And right next door, is the Toy Museum, which we skipped this time around. ~
THERE’S A WAX FIGURE OF THE 102 YEAR-OLD JESSE JAMES!
It must be real. He’s even got his Meramec Caverns souvenir blanket to memorialize his hideout. Totally real.
I will say - if nothing else, the Jesse James Wax Museum has an excellent sign.
Okay - time to travel west for one more stop on our wax museum road trip.
The Spirit of Monterey Wax Museum Monterey, CA 2.5 stars (83 reviews)
Warning don't let your kids have any fun or the lady selling tickets will come running out to yell at them. ~Shayne R.
I’m a bit disappointed with myself that I missed FOUR opportunities to visit this museum over the years that I traveled to Monterey for the Internet Librarian conference. Granted, I didn’t learn about the museum until my last trip, when my colleagues and I ventured into the building where it’s located. We were looking for a bathroom and not in the mood to fork out money for a museum.
Does this place exist? I called ahead no answer, well Cannery Row is the place to be so I thought I'd check it out anyways. I saw it but couldn't get to it, went downstairs, nope that wasn't the right way, saw this door that door, this way that way, Was I in a Maze ? Then I see where there's supposed to be a cashier to take your money but no ones there. I decided to call the number again and it went right to that that cashier area and just kept ringing, it was weird. I saw a flyer that said open till 9pm and there was plenty of time until 9pm, something's not right here. I saw other people confused also so I wonder what kinda business this is if it still exists because for 9 dollars each they coulda made some money.
In you go to a dark room of wax figures "reenacting" scenes from the areas past. Do they move? No. These wax figures are antiques! The facial expressions are terrifying, wigs are misshapen and there is some odd positioning of some of the figures. Its so ridiculous, you can't help but laugh. Each station has a button to push with a narration of the scene played on a crackly speaker. It can be hard to hear. There was one family in front of us that was taking pictures of each station. Seriously. We took pictures of the most bizarre scenes. We couldn't help ourselves.
…
Who'd a thunk you could have a such a good time in such a terrible museum? I'd recommend a couple of alcoholic drinks to "enhance" your experience.
The history of Monterey is made famous through John Steinbeck’s novel Cannery Row. Today, Cannery Row is a tourist destination full of tacky shops and restaurants. I won’t lie - I like it. Monterey is a beautiful town and a place that is now familiar to me after four visits. I’m sorry I missed the wax museum though, and will definitely go if I ever make it again.
It’s very clear from photos taken by visitors to the museum that the ladies of the night were an important historical feature in Monterey.
As were the bull/bear fights, indicating that people were absolute jerks back then, much as they are today.
Sea captains hid in barrels from serial killers too.
It was non-stop WILD TIMES in Monterey, my friends.
Who knew?
Four stars on the merit of being COMPLETELY TERRIFYING. Hats off. Truly. I would not recommend this for people with young children. I assumed it would be kitschy and somewhat creepy but I underestimated it. Alone, underground, in a very dark room with the shadowy figures of forty mannequins. Some are in the stocks, wearing expressions of agony. Some are children being gently held from behind by catholic missionaries. Some aren't even facing the twisting visitor path, so all you see is the back of their head. Every last one of them gives off a vibe of malevolent sentience. You have to press a button to light up their scene. I got to button number one. I BARELY had the wherewithal to walk to the next room (Bear fight) and the one following that (Prostitutes) before diving through the exit curtain back into the realm of the living.
If you want to be frightened, or if you're a lover of kitsch, the place is worth the $10 admission. But don't do what i did. Don't go alone.
Had I read that review I would have made sure not to miss this special historical extravaganza.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this cross-country tour of obscure wax museums. I have, and am considering dedicating the rest of my life to documenting ridiculous roadside attractions!
Hopefully we can travel safely again soon.
Tidbits
Have you taken a stroll through the Radio Garden yet? Check out radio stations from around the world by clicking on the little green dots. It will be surprising, and you’re bound to find something interesting within a few clicks!
Check out Same Energy, a visual search engine that pulls together images with a similar look and feel. Click on an image that you like, and a new collection is pulled together based on that image, on and on down the rabbit hole. (via Colossal)
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You - Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi; both authors are coming to Everett for a virtual visit later this month. Looking forward to it! Also - everyone should read this book.
Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-Garcia; just started! I saw the author speak for a few minutes at the PNBA virtual award event and pushed this book to the top of my list.
Art Zone
We’re going to skip this section this week. Because the art of wax figures is more than I can bear.
Videos of the Week
No snow storm in Seattle is complete without film clips of people making bad driving decisions. So many people driving the wrong way on one-day streets! Yikes. Smug skier alert at 5:51!
And related to our friend Jesse James… from an album I listened to over and over and over again. And then some more.
Current Temperature: 34.3 F (1.3 C) Current Humidity: 90% Wind (max gust): 17.2 mph Precipitation: ~7” of snow!
I know I was at that Salem witch museum when I was a kid because I remember being horrified to see a wax reenactment of a witch being planked to death between two boards! Excellent and fun newsletter, Anne! Have a cozy indoor week ❄️
You are right the reviews really can sell a place. Sounds like Monterey knew how to play up the positioning of the figures and made you question what the hell was going on back then instead of just propping up dolls and including a historical blurb. I went to this wonderful little museum about the Erie Canal near Buffalo NY. It was a little kitschy but again the charm was in feeling like you were there. The immersive aspect I think is always a winner even if your materials aren't tip top.
So we still haven't moved on from sensationalizing Voudon (I think that's the real name). Sigh...
I love that photo of your house - very pretty sunset!
I know I was at that Salem witch museum when I was a kid because I remember being horrified to see a wax reenactment of a witch being planked to death between two boards! Excellent and fun newsletter, Anne! Have a cozy indoor week ❄️
That poor fern!
You are right the reviews really can sell a place. Sounds like Monterey knew how to play up the positioning of the figures and made you question what the hell was going on back then instead of just propping up dolls and including a historical blurb. I went to this wonderful little museum about the Erie Canal near Buffalo NY. It was a little kitschy but again the charm was in feeling like you were there. The immersive aspect I think is always a winner even if your materials aren't tip top.
So we still haven't moved on from sensationalizing Voudon (I think that's the real name). Sigh...
I love that photo of your house - very pretty sunset!