Greetings from the International Cryptozoology Museum!
But did they feature the Jersey Devil?
I’d never been to Maine, Traveler. I’d always meant to go, but my last tour of New England was overbooked. I swore one day that I’d not only get to Maine but that I would get to the Cryptozoology Museum. A friend suggested I go, and I have never forgotten the suggestion.
I just filed it away and put it on the back burner for another day.
Flash forward to November 2023, and my wanderlust is returning. In September, I’d just had an adventure through Lily Dale, New York. (I’m overdue to write about that one too.) and I needed a new one. Well, Traveler, it was time to start my research on The Poe Trail (and yes, I’m still working on that one as well). I took a brief trip through Boston, South Boston, and Providence.
While I pulled over to nap in Foxborough, a thing occurred to me in a flash of inspiration.
I wasn’t that far from Maine, was I? And was there a better time than now to check out the Cryptozoology Museum? I was only 135 miles away, and I could make it halfway and sleep again. I set out on my adventure and stopped to sleep in New Hampshire for the night.
So where are we going, Traveler?
According to the man himself, Loren Coleman (one of the friendliest online friends anyone can have), His travels go back decades to the 1960s, right around the popularization of the Patterson-Gimlin film of the 1960s. Loren began his research into cryptozoology and subsequent collection of artifacts this decade, which has continued for over 50 years. Over the years, the museum bounced around Maine until it ended up in its current home in Portland, Maine.
Loren has written dozens of books on cryptozoology, which can be found at his personal store here.
After a workout at a nearby Planet Fitness, I drove to the Thompson’s Point complex. Dudley and I waited a few minutes before the museum opened, and we went inside and paid admission. One thing I noticed, and if you’re in Bangor, you likely already know, is that the museum has a resident admission of $2 Traveler.
One rule of note: photography is allowed, but videography is not, Traveler. As Travelers, we always respect the rules of a curiosity shop.
The museum itself is a quick, two-floor jaunt through cryptid sightings worldwide. And yes, the entire world is represented. Offhand, I can remember displays from the Polynesian Islands, and of course, Canada is represented, too. There are missing links. There are sea monsters. And at times, the museum delves into the flavor of the supernatural.
But do they have my favorite, the Jersey Devil? Of course they do, Traveler! But just in case they didn’t, I brought my own lil’ devil. My only regret is that Champ and Cassie had ample displays, my pal Chessie didn’t have any displays at all. Or, to be fair I couldn’t have missed the Chessie displays. As the museum takes donations, I’m going to have to rectify this myself with a donation package, Loren.
So what did we learn? One, if spontaneous creativity pops up in your Travels, then feed the desire, Traveler! Deviating from the path is part of the adventure.
Two, if you were curious about whether or not you should visit the International Cryptozoology Museum, I hope this clarifies things. I recommend the museum to anyone, and the state of Maine is also worth the visit.
P.S., A location is opening in Bangor, Maine. They are running a fundraiser for a furnace at a new location in Bangor. Please find the donation link here.
Until again,
Safe Travels, Traveler.
