Bigfoot, big passion…
The World’s Only International Cryptozoology Museum
Everyone loves Bigfoot by Christa Thompson
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I walked down Avon Street to the International Cryptozoology Museum. The only one of its kind, the museum showcases a bizarre, extraordinary, and diligent collection of mythical and unusual creatures from around the world. In other words, if you’re looking for the Jersey Devil or Bigfoot, this is your best bet at finding them.
At first, I wasn’t sold. I was not totally impressed with the museum itself, its artifacts crammed together like some sort of man-cave den, looked more like a collection of souvenirs acquired by founder and director Loren Coleman. However, I wasn’t so quick to give up either…and so I began to browse.
From leprechauns and gnomes to the Loch Ness Monster, this place really had it all. A Yeti, Bigfoot, the Jersey Devil, and a mermaid… given the time, you could learn a great deal about these legendary and otherwise mythical creatures here. I was actually learning a lot, and most appreciatively, a lot about what The Fairytale Traveler writes about. Where else was I going to see a collection like this?
by Christa Thompson
The International Cryptozoology Museum was really proving to be quite a resource showcasing things like molds of Bigfoot’s tracks, and a hair sample of a Yeti. Thanks to Loren Coleman, and his bizarre (and seemingly similar to my own) passion for mythical creatures, I was able to get my inquiring mind full of information all in one place.
The Feegee Mermaid by Christa Thompson
Loren Coleman, now the author of 17 books, has spent most of his life researching cryptozoology, more scientifically known as “the study of hidden animals”. Over the years he has collected replicas of such animals and any type of artifacts he can get his hands on. He is one of the few that are passionate about cryptozoology and probably the best and most educated source of all hidden animals.
Lucky Leprechauns… not like the scary ones from the movies by Christa Thompson
Overall, I felt like I hadn’t given the museum the respect it deserved. I do wish that the collection was better displayed, but I have to hand it to Loren, this is one hell of a collection, and you’re never going to see one like it anywhere. If I ever win the lotto, I’m donating a few million dollars to the renovation of this museum so Loren’s collection can get the exhibit that it deserves.
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[…] of the lighthouses. However, I didn’t see any sea monsters, they would be better found at the International Cryptozoology Museum just up the road in […]
haha so cool! Although I have to say that feegee mermaid is a wee bit creepy!
HAHA!!!
YIKES Christa! Some of these are creepy 🙂
Haha I love things like this!
Me too. I can’t help it, I’m a total nerd when it comes to monsters x
Well that was quite a strange tour of kitchy, cool and bizarre at the same time, but I’m sure it’s to be expected….love the creepy ones best!
Oh Noel, you should have seen my face when I walked in. A little bit of heaven and a little bit of hell. lol
Cool museum! Quite uhm freaky as well 🙂
HA! Freaky for sure 😉
Some ARE creepy!
aw, so cool and bizarre!! I’d definitely like to visit this place 🙂
Portland is amazing. https://thefairytaletraveler.com//2013/11/13/legends-of-the-new-england-coast-portland-maine/
What a totally random, and cool place to go. I’d be up for it, BUT that Feegee Mermaid…yikes thats scary.
Totally random. It’s like a hidden gem.
Wow this museum seems super cool! Kind of bizarre, but cool nonetheless!
Totally worth a visit. If you find yourself in Portland, give yourself about a half hour to 45 minutes for a walk through.
Totally interesting…I never am really looking for the Jersey Devil or Bigfoot. In fact I don’t even know the Jersey Devil lol but yes I do love me some big foot…totally interesting as I have heard of folk law and similar mythical creatures that my grands have sworn to seeing them selves…
Bigfoot is a big deal here in the US. There are even TV shows about it lol. THen again, there are TV shows about Snookie and Honey Boo Boo too… Sadly.
Oh my GOODNESS! This is just too cool. I’ve never been and have always wanted to go to Maine, you know- to escape the miserable August in the south, nosh on some lobster, see the coastline… but now I have a calling to go! This museum looks so fun! I love the stuff you find!
I highly recommend a visit and a stay at the Portland Harbor Hotel. Very nice, well appointed. Go to the park at the edge of the city for a beautiful sunset. Take a cruise to the lighthouses as well. It’s all there in my Portland story xx https://thefairytaletraveler.com//2013/11/13/legends-of-the-new-england-coast-portland-maine/
I love especially the first photo. Great post.
Thank you!! xo
In my country Indonesia has a creepy creature, name is jenglot, likes a doll, small but its alive, become formely days come from the man who make agreement with the devil…type on youtube “jenglot”, if you lucky, you can looking who have that creature, type on “google” “jenglot”,if you need help me,contact to me to email : rizky_irwan@yahoo.com (I am just translate english to trader with Indonesia language,I am free guide to trader “you buy”),that jenglot look like still alive, because its theeht or fang, and hairy still live and long…contact of me, in my email. I promise I just wanna help you for put on your museum this creature.
[…] a real life magizoologist or cryptozoologist as it’s been […]