Again ,looking back into my vault, I found me new old pictures not yet in my blog, These tell of a memorable time in my life and full family, which enjoyed much coming to St Augustine, Florida !!! Happy to find me this picture to tell you personally about this wonderful sight in the City, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, A wonderful place we have enjoyed here and elsewhere like Orlando FL and London. I am happy to tell you about this sight and hope you enjoy the post as I
The St Augustine’s Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium is located in Castle Warden, built in 1887. It was the home of the original Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum since 1950. The museum has over 13,000 square feet (3.9 square km) of exhibits including many items from Robert Ripley’s personal collection and interactive galleries filled with activities to expand your mind. Discover the strange world of Robert Ripley! Below pic my dear late wife Martine !!!
The building that houses Ripley’s collection of strange and unique oddities was built in 1887 by William G. Warden of Philadelphia as a winter home. Warden, a partner to Henry Flagler and John D. Rockefeller in the Standard Oil Company, was also President of the St. Augustine Gas and Electric Light Company and Financial Director of the St. Augustine Improvement Company. His home was one of the most imposing private residences in the city, built with Moorish Revival architecture and an elaborate interior. With Warden’s influential role in St. Augustine, the home was a center of winter social activity. The “castle” home remained in the Warden family until it was purchased in 1941 by Norton Basin and remodeled as the Castle Warden Hotel. Baskin and his wife, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, author of the classic novel The Yearling, had an apartment on the top floor. During its brief time as a hotel, guests included many writers and distinguished visitors, including Robert Leroy Ripley. After Ripleys death, in 1950, his estate purchased the building, and on December 25th,1950 the first and original permanent Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Odditorium had its grand opening.
It has continue to attract visitors far and wide, the museum houses three stories of odd and unusual exhibits of over 800 unique artifacts collected from around the world. Many of these were in Robert Ripley’s personal collection, including shrunken heads, two-headed animals, odd treasures, incredible art, crazy illusions, and wacky interactive activities.and much more. The collection has continued to grow, including the recently added Space Oddities Gallery, which features a replica of the International Space Station made entirely of match sticks. Ripley’s is fun for curious minds of all ages.
The official Ripley’s Believe it or not in St Agustine: https://www.ripleys.com/staugustine/
A private St Augustine tourist site on Ripley’s: https://www.visitstaugustine.com/thing-to-do/ripleys-believe-it-or-not-museum
The St Augustine -Ponte Vedra Historic coast sites on the museum: https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/directory/ripleys-believe-it-or-not-museum/
There you go folks, ths is an unique sight that should be on top of the list when visiting St Augustine, as I always had, and looking forward one day eventually to revisit. Hope you enjoy this post on Ripley’s Believe it or Not as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 