Mothman Museum & Festival: Everything You Need to Know
If you want to know all there is to know about the Mothman Museum before you take your trip there, it is all right here. Not only that, but we will be talking about the Mothman Festival as well.
Mothman Museum:
The Mothman Museum is in Point Pleasant West Virginia and was opened for the first time in 2006. It is owned by Jeff Wamsley, and is home to the Mothman Festival every year in September.
Here are all of the things you need to know about the Mothman Museum!
The Mothman Museum:
This is touted as the only Mothman Museum in the world. Located in, you guessed it, Point Pleasant West Virginia; this museum has everything you could hope for if you love the story behind the Mothman. It was opened in 2006 for the first time to the public.
There is a Mothman costume in this location that can actually be worn and walked around in. While it is put up for display, and is not in use, it still is incredibly cool to see in person.
Most of what is shown in this museum are props from the Mothman Prophecies movie from January 5th, 2002 with Richard Gere and Debra Messing. These items include, but are not limited to, a blanket, a broken car window, Mothman sketches, and the creepy ChapStick.
There are magazines in cases showing the original naming of the Mothman prophecies which was “Visitors from space”.
Near the Mothman Museum there is a Mothman statue called “Legend of the Mothman”. This statue depicts the creature from the famous story in a shiny silver metal. It also has a plaque at the base of the statue that tells a quick synopsis story behind the legend of the Mothman. It even includes the glowing red eyes that are so synonymous with the creature itself.
The statue was made by Bob Roach from New Haven, West Virginia. It was unveiled in 2003 to the public.
There is an annual Mothman festival in September that includes pancake eating contests and hayrides.
The first documented report of the Mothman was on November 16th, 1966. The sightings of the Mothman would continue from the day before that report was made until December 15th, 1967, the next year. While this was attempted to be explained away by the Mothman really being a case of mistaken identity with large birds such as Cranes, there have been many other sightings over the years in different areas of the United States.
Some of the coolest items on display at this museum are actual pieces of the original bridge that collapsed as a part of the original story behind the Mothman. The “Silver Bridge” collapsed killing 46 individuals in 1967. The day the bridge fell was the last day that there were reports of seeing this Mothman creature.
The fact that they have actual metal pieces of the original structure to the Silver Bridge is really interesting and cool to see, because they are real parts of history whether you believe in the stories or not.
There is an entire section in the museum about John Keel. He was an author and self-proclaimed Ufologist. He wrote the book entitled ‘Mothman Prophecies’, and was made most famous due to his research, interviews, and writings on the Mothman subject.
Also shown in the museum is John Keel’s work desk and some of his personal writings and letters from him.
A fun fact about the Mothman Museum is that it is actually featured in the Fallout 76 video game. You are able to go in and look around within the video game, which makes this location one of the more unique and stand out locations we have looked at.
Jeff Wamsley is the owner of this Museum, or Museo as they say en Espanol. Jeff views this museum as more of a museum research center, as it is at the center of all research on the West Virginia Mothman sightings and information.
Jeff was actually born in Pt. Pleasant and grew up in the area as well. Not only this, but he knew many of the people that were directly in in the accident of the Silver Bridge in 1967. He has written books on the topic and even done more than one documentary on the Mothman.
How the Mothman Museum started was actually because Jeff Wamsley had the Mothman Festival up and running and there was a vendor that would bring props from the movie every year. Jeff said that all of the people at the festival really enjoyed the props, and one day the man with the props called him up and told him he wanted to donate them to him to display. Thus, the Mothman Museum was born into existence.
Mothman Festival:
Every year in Pt. Pleasant West Virginia there is a festival for Mothman believers. There is live music, guest speakers, vendors, cosplay, bus tours, and of course the Mothman Museum. You can even get to see the Mothman costume finally being put into good use during this time. Maybe you can get your picture taken with the creature.
The festival is held in the downtown area of Point Pleasant and there are food trucks, music, and fun to be had. The best part about this festival is the fact that it is FREE! There is no admission to the festival itself, but there is to the museum. If you want to take a hayride with your family, you can also do that for an extra $5.
The usual run time for most of the fun during the Mothman festival days is had around 10 A.M. and 6 P.M.
There are also bus tours that you can purchase online on the official Mothman festival website.
Last but not least, there is actually a Mothman festival app that you can go and download in order to better help you on your journey through this fun location and occasion.
You can read more about this festival, what will be there, and specifically when it will take place right here at the official Mothman Festival website. MOTHMAN FESTIVAl® - HOME
Mothman Costume:
Yes, there is actually a Mothman onesie that you can buy for yourself. I know that’s what you were wondering. Well, if you want to dress up as the spooky creature that means certain impending doom, you can find the Mothman Costume right here on Amazon.
Mothman Plush:
Not only is there a costume that you can wear, but there is also a cute little Mothman plush that you can cuddle up with while you are all dressed up. You can give this little guy to a kid, or just enjoy its company yourself. Maybe you can hug this Mothman plush close while you watch the Mothman Prophecies movie, because it is so freaky. You can find the Mothman Plush right here on Amazon.
Recap & Summary:
Now you know all of the details you need to know before you make your own trip over to the Mothman Museum so you can witness all of the amazing things that they have to offer. You can also go to the Mothman Festival that is held every year, and you know where and when it is now too. From seeing some of the actual items in the museum, to hearing about how it got its start in 2006, you are now very knowledgeable on the Mothman Museum as a whole.
Hopefully you enjoyed this article, and you learned a lot. If you did like reading this information and you want to see more, there are many articles just like this one right here in our Cryptids Category. Or you can make your way over to our Museums Category on our website. Either way, we will see you there!
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this article! : )