The International Cryptozoology Museum Portland, Maine

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.