A Return Visit to WOLF’S MUSEUM OF MYSTERY

The last time I visited this fine establishment, back in May of this year, I was somewhat pressed for time. I didn’t get the chance to spend as much time as I would have liked there—and much time is needed; there is so much stuff to see—literally every available inch of space is packed with stuff—nor did I get the chance to meet and chat with the owners, semi-retired military lawyer Wolfgang Von Mertz and his wife, Ali. (I DID get to meet Trina the Mermaid, a fulltime entertainer based out of the Museum, however.) you all may recall from my previous articles on the establishment that Wolf’s, in addition to its name, also have several pieces of werewolf-related memorabilia on display, including an autographed picture of David Naughton and a “Slaughtered Lamb” T-shirt from AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON as well as a mock-up of Eddie the werewolf from the original THE HOWLING.

Speaking with Wolf and Ali, I learned that they’ve been located in the historic (and, naturally, haunted) house on Charlotte Street in Saint Augustine, Florida, since 2012. They’ve overall been welcomed by the locals and the other proprietors operating in the “Ancient City,” although they do get the occasional freaked-out tourist. Hearing the carnival music blaring from speakers out front and seeing the carnie banners hanging from the front porch, you’d think people would know what to expect. Go figure. Wolf’s has old sideshow gaffes (the Fiji Mermaid is among Ali’s favorites); movie props; serial killer memorabilia (John Wayne Gacy’s personal Bible is Trina’s favorite piece); historic artifacts; taxidermied animals; freaky paintings and sculptures; a mummified falcon from ancient Egypt; cryptozoological exhibits (They’ve got a shotgun that once shot a Bigfoot!); and a human brain encased in plastic. Honestly, there’s too much stuff of the weird and wonderful variety therein to mention. Wolf, Ali told me, has been a collector all his life, and collecting such esoterica is his life’s passion. His collection literally has to be seen to be appreciated. For all its outright outrageous occult oeuvre of the obscure, however (You like what I did, there?), the Museum’s proprietors are, perhaps surprisingly to some, nice, down-to-earth folks. The next time I visit, I hope to spend even more time, and take Wolf up on his invitation to sit out on the back deck and have a drink with them. Who knows what kind of freakishly wonderful treasures they will have added to the Museum by that point.

By The Evil Cheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS (www.evilcheezproductions.blogspot.com, www.facebook.com/evilcheezproductions), specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced and directed (and occasionally acted in) over a dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and Crime genres. His first novel, THE CONFESSIONS OF SAINT CHRISTOPHER: WEREWOLF, is available for purchase at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/734763 MORTUI VELOCES SUNT!

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