World of the Unexplained museum facts for kids
The World of the Unexplained was the name of two special museums. They were opened in 1972 by a famous company called Ripley's Believe It or Not!. One museum was in San Francisco, California, and the other was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Contents
The World of the Unexplained Museums
How It Started
When they first opened, these museums had a different name. They were called the "Museum of Witchcraft and Magic." Ripley's had bought a large collection of items related to witchcraft. These items came from a person named Gerald B. Gardner. He was known for his interest in Wicca, which is a modern pagan religion. The museums showed off these unique items.
New Name, New Wonders
In 1975, the museums changed their names. They became the "World of the Unexplained." This happened because some local churches and religious groups were concerned about the original name. Ripley's then added many new and exciting exhibits.
At that time, a popular TV show called "In Search Of" was on the air. Ripley's even hired the show's narrator, Leonard Nimoy, to help. He filmed a short video that visitors watched at the museum entrance.
What You Could See
The museums showed more than just witchcraft items after the name change. They featured many mysterious topics. You could see exhibits about Bigfoot, which is a legendary ape-like creature. There were also displays about flying saucers, often called UFOs.
Other popular exhibits included the Bermuda Triangle, a mysterious area in the Atlantic Ocean. There were also displays about werewolves and a fortune teller. This fortune teller even had a talking crystal ball!
Why They Closed
Sadly, in 1985, both "World of the Unexplained" museums closed down for good. They closed because not enough people were buying tickets. The museums just weren't making enough money to stay open.
After they closed, Ripley's moved all the interesting exhibits. They sent them to other Ripley's Odditoriums. These are museums filled with strange and unusual things. They are located all over the United States and Canada. The building in Gatlinburg is no longer a Ripley's museum. However, the building in San Francisco is still a Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditorium today.
