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A BIT MORE ABOUT US
About Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum:
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum offers fun for all ages. Experience the thrill of adventure while you explore more than 800 exhibits at the Original Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in historic St. Augustine, Florida. You'll laugh one moment and gasp the next! You will be amazed and wonder why ... is it real or is it a fake? See the unusual, the unorthodox, and the exotic, collected from the far corners of the world. Join us for a journey from the past to the present...or is it the future?
The St. Augustine Ripley's is located in Castle Warden, an historic Moorish Revival style mansion built in 1887. Built as a winter home for Millionaire William Warden, Castle Warden later served as a fashionable hotel owned by Norton Baskin and his wife, Pulitzer prize-winning novelist, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of The Yearling, Cross Creek and South Moon Under. Since 1950 the building has been the original permanent location of Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum.
While a hotel, Robert Ripley was a frequent visitor to the hotel and had commented on numerous occasions that Castle Warden would be an ideal location to showcase his collection of unbelievable curiosities.
Mr. Ripley attempted to purchase the building several times, but was not successful in his lifetime. After his death in 1949, his heirs managed the purchase of the building and in December of 1950, the museum opened.
Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum is open 365 days a year.
Ripley's Cargo Hold:
While visiting Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in St. Augustine, stop in The Cargo Hold Gift Shop. The Cargo Hold's merchandise reflects Robert Ripley's travels to faraway and exotic lands with many unique and one-of-a-kind treasures that you can purchase. You will appreciate the fine handcrafted works of art, fun curios and interesting collectibles that are ideal souvenirs for the home and gift giving. The Cargo Hold's interesting merchandise comes from exotic destinations like Morocco, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Mexico, India and Africa.
Do You Believe?
"I saw her - she was just standing in the window on the third floor, looking out. I thought she was a maintenance man, but then I realized there was no one in the building."
-Roni Engals, staffer at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum quoted in the St. Augustine Record newspaper September 1998
"A television along the tour route (inside the museum would turn itself on...regardless if it was plugged in. It has become commonplace to hearing doors slamming, footsteps, and the scraping of furniture on the 2nd floor, where there are only massive display cases and no moveable furniture. In my relatively short association with the museum, my views regarding the existence of spirit energy or unusual activity have changed dramatically!"
-Kevin Saintonge, staffer at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum quoted in April 2006
"And the sound of a woman sobbing started again, just like moments before, and again, I went to the 2nd floor and found no one - and we'd been closed for almost 20 minutes"
-Robert Drent, staffer at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum quoted in December 2008
"We came back to the third floor and Joanne started to enter the room...but she was visibly shaken, saying I'm having a panic attack! Something or someone doesn't want me in that room!'"
-Susan Harrell, manager at Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum reporting the words of a sensitive brought in to investigate the Castle Warden in May 2002
Who - or what - is causing these disturbances? Why is the Ripley's building so haunted? Why are so many employees experiencing these bizarre things with such regularity?
Here are some possibilities:
The Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum is housed in one of St. Augustine's most unique buildings, an 1880's poured concrete castle. Originally built by Standard Oil partner William G. Warden, it later became a classy hotel when owned by Pulitzer Prize winning author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings ("The Yearling") and her hotelier husband Norton Baskin.
Two women died in a fire in April 1944 at the Castle Warden Inn, as it was called during the World War II era. But many observers now believe that Ruth Hopkins Pickering and Betty Neville Richeson were murdered and the fire set to cover up the evil deed.
It is highly unlikely they knew each other. In fact, Betty, a woman in her 20's, had only checked into the hotel 90 minutes before her death. Ruth, on the other hand, was staying in the 4th floor penthouse apartment for a lengthy period at the behest of her good friend Marjorie. Many believe Ruth was "hiding" from an abusive spouse and Marjorie knew Ruth would be safe and comfortable there, just a few blocks away from Ruth's residence on Magnolia Avenue.
Your visit to the 2nd and 3rd floors during the Ripley's Ghost Train Adventure will allow you to hear other theories and stories concerning the tragedy at the Castle Warden and the sightings of both women still gazing out the windows of the rooms in which they perished.
And we haven't even mentioned the talented (and bizarre) Mr. Ripley himself. Although Robert Ripley was a frequent visitor to St. Augustine and stayed in the building often, he did not create the museum. He died in 1949 and a year after his death, the Castle Warden was purchased to be the ideal, uniquely glamorous building to house his collections.
Collections that include real shrunken human heads, rosaries made of human bone, and a drum kit featuring two human skulls fused together and covered with human skin.
Perhaps those who once belonged to these items feel a certain "connection" and may be joining Betty and Ruth and many others who call this creepy castle "home" long after their deaths.
FAQ
1.What can I find inside?
Robert Ripley traveled all over the world and collected many different weird and bizarre objects that are on display here. There is a man made out of shredded money - The Million Dollar Man. You'll also see a giant manatee made of soda cans, beautiful jade and camel bone sculptures, and a giant erector set Ferris Wheel are just some of the strange exhibits inside. There is something odd for everyone.
2.How long does it take to tour the museum?
It takes between 1 - 2 hours to enjoy the collection.
3.Can I take pictures?
Yes
4.Where can I park?
We have plenty of parking right here.
5.Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes
6.What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, M/C, Discover, AMEX and cash. (no personal checks).
7.Can I set up a class trip?
Yes, please call for reservations and rates.
8.Do you host birthday parties?
Yes, please call for reservations and rates.
9.Does the Sightseeing Train stop at Ripley's?
Yes, and you can save money by buying your Ripley's ticket with the Sightseeing Train ticket. Don't forget to ask about the Ghost Train Adventure, the most interactive paranormal experience in St. Augustine, that will visit Ripley's after it's closed.
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