It includes collections of relics from the Civil War, displays detailing Key West's past, and artifacts like Robert the Doll. It seems everywhere someone has posted about Robert the Doll, be it on personal websites or YouTube, people can be found apologizing for viewing his pictures and doing even the tiniest bit of research. Most people wouldnt think twice about the doll nor where it really came from. The toys Gene loved to play with were found mutilated, cut up and shredded to pieces. " Many have even reported seeing the doll move. Genes friends and family say he had an unhealthy relationship with his childhood partner and that after his death in 1974 his wife Anne placed Robert in a chest and kept him in the attic. Whenever there was trouble around the house Jean would say "Robert did it". Twitter users are trying to stem the bleeding of the world right now by apologizing to a cursed doll. Others say that the doll was gifted to the child by a Voodoo practitioner who worked for his family, as retaliation for their wrongdoings. Inside Robert the Doll Science tells us dolls are inanimate objects, but those who care for Robert the Doll and the thousands who visit him each year know better. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across the site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). His wife died two years later. Since his arrival, Robert has received nearly 1,000 letters. As with most antiques, the history of the doll is somewhat obscure. regards, Your email address will not be published. I know there was one video of him moving, but then again it looked a bit off, but Ill find that video and get it to the admin to post it. The doll originally belonged to Robert Eugene Otto, an artist described as "eccentric", who belonged to a prominent Key West family. The maid was fired on the spot but was able to give a doll she made for the familys youngest son. Shop Robert the Doll Store Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, Florida 33040 / Ph: 305-296-3913 / Email: robert@robertthedoll.org Robert the Doll would sit in the top rotunda window. Might be a robot. The boat capt. Please forgive me. Joseph, September 17, 2019. In 2015, a Robert the Doll movie was released simply titled Robert. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. An educated guess would be the lack of concrete causes of the current pandemic and the hopelessness so many people feel in searching for ways to deal with the actual virus or just the stress caused by it. Then I saw myselfmy body. Pinned to a wall behind him is a series of letters, each containing an apology for crossing him in some way. His curse, at least the way Ive heard it, is a simple one: Before taking a picture of Robert the Doll, everyone must first ask permission. Robert The Doll Apology Letters Otto noticed a strange change around his house until it was too late. Instead, it was an outfit his owner Gene Otto wore as a child. They claim that the straw-filled toy was given to young Otto by one of the familys young maids, who hexed it in retaliation for some wrongdoing. Sometimes its as small as just a flash not working or camera batteries dying, but people have also reported flat tires, running out of gas, even more serious things like divorce and death. Perhaps one person decided to apologize, and others followed just to be sure. To all who may read thisplease, listen to the nice lady at the front desk at the musuem [sic]. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If you are ever in Key West and decide to visit the East Martello Museum, just make sure not to get on Robert the Dolls bad side. [1][3], The doll remained stored in the Otto family home at 534 Eaton Street in Key West while Otto studied art in New York and Paris. We went parasailing the next day, HowardRK continued. Metallic Sasquatch Leads to Flat Tire In Montana, Not Quite Ghosts: When Radio Waves Make the Walls Speak. Silly urban legend linked to coincidental incidents? If the government isnt helping and praying hasnt worked yet, whats the harm in apologizing to Robert just in case? As absurd as that may sound, before we go any further, can I hear a Sorry, Robert!? Made out of dense fabric and stuffed with straw, this century-old doll's appearance is chilling, to say the least. In 1994, she donated him to the Fort East Martello Museum. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. And if permission is not granted, or if the person fails to ask for permission, that person will be cursed. After Robert Eugene Otto died in 1974, a woman named Myrtle Reuter purchased the Artist House, which meant Robert the Doll had a brand-new caretaker. Robert was given to Gene by his grandfather after he came back from a trip to Germany, this has also been validated by the East Martello Museum that has verified it to be manufactured by Steiff Company in Germany. Then, read about the history of the teddy bear. The doll remained in the attic with every new owner of the house, but strange occurrences were frequent. He had a lady who took its pic without permission come in and do a face to face with Robert the doll. 65 titsmcgee84 3 yr. ago Annette allowed Gene to continue caring for his friend, but she was definitely not a fan. Robert the Doll was a one-of-a-kind design, manufactured by the Steiff Company in Germany, the same company that invented the Teddy Bear. Otto brought the doll back to his childhood home at 534 Eaton Street in Key West, Florida and he called the home The Artist House. Today, the Victorian home is a haunted B&B. The couple returned to the Otto family home in Key West to live there until Ottos death in 1974. Fort East Martello Museum, the official home of Robert the Doll. The only thing that is apparent is the fact that Robert continues to send chills up the spines of the visitors. In some ways, it is similar to the Curse of Uluru. Paul likes to add a bit of humor to each MU post he crafts. After a while the Otto parents became weary of Genes relationship with the doll and placed it in the attic. Whether you're a believer or not, one thing's for sure, this doll is not to be played with. The blue sailor suit that Robert wears is likely one of Jeans old suits from childhood. 27.07 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Flames of Prophecy, 29.07 - MU Podcast - Contract with the Goddess, 27.06 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Secret Vaults of Time, 29.06 - MU Podcast - Italian Disco Abductions, 27.04 - MU Plus+ Podcast - High-Res Healing, TikTok and Its Strange Proliferation of Mysterious Accounts of Skinwalkers, A 3,500-Year-Old Frozen Mummified Bear Found in Siberia. Strange things started to happen in the residence. The Twitter feed #sorryrobert is dedicated to apologies to Robert, a not-so-lovable doll (see a picture here if you dare) whose strange powers were chronicled by its original owner and namesake, Robert Eugene Otto, and by a young girl who many years later found it in a box in the attic. The most prevalent anecdote is that the doll was indeed a harmless gift from Otto's grandfather, but that it was hexed by a family servant after they were wrongfully fired. The staff has learned to respect. His cabinet is filled with letters and notes from the visitors, scaringly, they are not fan-letters, but apology ones. I thought maybeyou would like to see some of my dolls as well. On the other hand, youll find humor, honesty, passion, and hopefully interesting content at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. Arguably Key West's favorite haunted attraction, Robert the Doll has been wreaking havoc since the early-1900s. It seems everywhere that someone has posted about Robert the Doll, be it on personal websites or on YouTube, people can be found apologizing for looking at his pictures and doing even the tiniest of searches. Your. They'd go check on him only to find the young boy shaking with fear, surrounded by overturned furniture. . If his head tilts, permission is not granted. Claims Of Robert The Doll Caught Moving, And Face Changing, On Tape, 10 Florida Waterfalls Where Drowned Children Call Your Name, Face The Chaotic Evil That Lurks Outside This Gainesville Church If Youre Pure of Heart, Devilish Ghosts Grasp For The Living At This Haunted Astor Car Camping Site, Ghosts Warn Of A Living Nightmare At This Haunted Williston Garden. Meet Robert The Doll, The Haunted Toy Thats Been Terrorizing Florida For Over 115 Years. To this day, visitors claim that cameras malfunction in his presence and electronic devices go haywire. Editor-in-chief of Stranger Dimensions. Writer, blogger, and part-time peddler of mysterious tales. In this section youll find things that are not of this realm or reality. East Martello Museum |Key West, Florida, Fact Analysis: One day the father of the family supposedly caught a Haitian servant of theirs practicing black magic in the backyard. When he first arrived there, the authorities reported a shift of energy in the museum premises. Please forgive me. Ted, May 8 2017, Dear Robert, I visited you in key west. He made arrangements for the doll in the topmost section of the house. Want us to showcase your talent, pictures, or videos? Facebook user NG Elmer Mancia wrote on his page: Robert is cursed, so everyone who sees a picture of him may have a bad taste by tapping (accidentally) the picture or been saved. The house remained there until it was sold and the new owner donated it to the Key West Art and Historical Society and he and his teddy bear, That you must first ask permission to photograph him before doing so or you will be cursed with misfortune. Many people believe that Robert the Doll is the real life Chuckie, a three foot terror that has been known to cause bad luck for almost a hundred years. I mean no disrespect to you, Robert the Doll. I am sorry I viewed pictures of you online and read your story please forgive me. Matt, April 22, 2017, Robert, Im sorry I didnt ask your permission. After all, the mysterious doesn't always have to be serious. I guess Ill leave you with one final question: Have you apologized to Robert, lately? There's an "account" of poltergeist activity regarding the doll back when his owner was still alive, but Robert's legacy lives on in that when people take pictures of him without his permission, bad things happen; said bad things range from mild inconveniences to massive life-changing events. And, wouldnt you know it, when he got home from vacation he began to hear strange noises during the night., 8 Infamous Haunted Objects You Should Probably Avoid, Robert the Dolls Online Hexfest Goes Mainstream, Lunar Energies Out of Balance After Witches Cast Spell On Moon. Twitter users are trying to stem the bleeding of the world right now by apologizing to a cursed doll. All Rights Reserved. Robert and its current owners arent helping the museum has a Facebook page and website with plenty of pictures just waiting to pass on the alleged curse. She quickly realized this wasn't your typical doll, but it didn't scare her. The story dates back to the year 1906. The late night cleaning crew has been known to clean Roberts box, and turn off all the lights at the end of the night. In fact, we may have to upgrade that hundreds to thousands. The sailor suit Robert the Doll wears is not his original getup. He has a slight resemblance of humanity. Check out the video and see for yourself! His What in the World! podcast is a fun look at the latest weird and paranormal news, strange sports stories and odd trivia. How Gene's grandfather got his hands on the doll, is also a mystery. More commenters would follow, some with a terse apology, others with both explanations and pleas that the cursed doll not turn its fabricated eyes toward them or their loved ones. Even worse, did someone look at Robert and cause the pandemic? When Gene moved back to his home in Florida, Robert was still there. If you ignore, there may be something bad will happen to you (or) bad luck for many years., Meanwhile, Twitter user @Miss AmericHANA posted: Everyone say Sorry Robert when you see this picture or youll be cursed.. Address: Fort East Martello Museum 3501 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040. Behind him is an array of letters pinned to a wall, each containing an apology for having crossed him in one way or another. If you want too. Proceeds from your purchases are used to further the Society's programs and its commitment to cultural excellence. After his parents passed away, Jean inherited the familys Key West mansion. It wore an outfit similar to that of an American Naval officer. Whats more, the plumber swore that objects that had been in Roberts lap ended up on the other side of the room as if hed thrown them. They didn't think much of it, though, chalking it up to the child's overactive imagination. For the most up-to-date information about Robert and activities at the Museum, follow him on Facebook and Twitter Don't forget that you can have your very own Robert the Doll at home. The article says in the second video, you will see him moving! After Gene died in 1974, Annette placed the house on the market before leaving Key West for good. This is the tale of Robert the doll. Robert did it!" The Ottos swore they could hear Robert giggling and walking around the house. One of the letters Robert received. The doll was dressed in a very unremarkable set of clothing which was quite similar to the uniform of that of an American Naval Officer. (Cayobo / Flickr). About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . The bizarre circumstances surrounding Robert have earned him a reputation as the most [] All right reserved. Robert the Doll C/O Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Stuffed with straw and meticulously hand sewn by a family servant, the doll was given to Robert Gene Otto as present. 4. In 2015 a horror movie franchise was launched based on Robert. Once, a plumber who had been hired to make repairs around Ottos home claimed to hear childrens laughter, though no one was home at the time. His wife, Anne, disliked the doll and felt uncomfortable in its presence. Otto noticed a strange change around his house until it was too late. Choose a space that feels relaxing, and make sure you have enough time to not feel rushed. This one-of-a-kind handmade doll was gifted by Steph Co. to her family and friends. Or that young Otto triggered the dolls supernatural powers by blaming the doll for his childhood mishaps. Advertiser Disclosure: Backpackerverse.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. But things started to take a strange turn when the family started to hear Gene talk to Robert late at night. In 1906, young Robert Eugene Otto received a doll from his family's servant. Send us an email to [emailprotected]. The Artist House, once the home of Robert Eugene Otto. One Facebook page known for chronicling stories of Robert warns against saving the image or tapping on the screen. Copyright 2011-2021 Stranger Dimensions. Anyone who visits Robert has to make sure that he/she doesnt disrespect or insult him in any way. The problem was that she was also the caretaker for the Otto family. The following morning it changed again!! Perhaps these arejust stories, but here are eightallegedly haunted objectsyou should probably avoid, in any case. Make sure you have enough time to have a complete conversation. And young Otto would cry: Robert did it!. Nonetheless, numerous visitors have lined up to see Robert the Doll on display. The Haunting Visage of the Belmez Faces: An Anecdote of Lost Souls or Purported Skullduggery? I have also been hearing some strange noises during the night since I've been home.. Learn about one of Key West's most haunted homes. If youd like to read more about Robert the Doll, you can of course check out my original post, or head over to his official Facebook page. Scientists In China Just Used Salmon Sperm To Make An Environmentally-Friendly 'DNA Plastic', Guatemalan Stowaway Survives Flight To Miami Hidden In Plane's Landing Gear, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Don't say we didn't warn you. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'strangeandcreepy_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',360,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-strangeandcreepy_com-banner-1-0'); Would you keep Robert The Doll in your house? Was it Gene who was mimicking the voice? The dolls sailor suit was likely an outfit that Otto wore as a child. mm by Linda Marie. a few years First, I noticed something strange happening in the comment section of one of my articles. Robert is not your average doll. Later misfortunes are experienced. He eventually named the doll after him. We recommend you don't mess with Robert, just in case the rumors are true. One that has inspired horror movies over the last couple of decades, and countless tales dating back much further. But Ottos wife was not as keen on his childhood toy and requested that he keep the doll locked up. During this time, the rumors of a haunted doll started to take over Key West. A new owner moved in, they had a ten-year-old daughter who found Robert in the attic and was soon attached to it. Also, check out La Pascualita: An Extremely Well-Preserved Corpse, or an Eerily Life-like Mannequin?. When she decided to check it out, she found Robert in his chair. The Otto family was a very stern, conservative, and super-wealthy family, in fact, they were the most wealthy family in the areaatthat time. Letters of apology arrive on a daily basis. While he studied at The Sorbonne, he met the woman who would eventually become his wife, Annette Parker. At night, the family would be awakened by the shrieks of the girl who claimed that the doll tried to hurt her. But there are far more out there. Oct 5, 2022 Comment Theophanes is a New-England-based blogger, traveler, writer, photographer, sculptor, and lover of cats. What people really remember is what they would probably term as an unhealthy relationship with the doll, said Cori Convertito, curator of the Fort East Martello Museum and Roberts current caretaker in an interview with Atlas Obscura. Robert the Doll would sit in the top rotunda window. This is likely why the attic was designated as Robert's room. Whenever there was trouble around the house Jean would say Robert did it. If you're looking to get spooked in Key West, look no further. Some versions of the legend claim that a young girl of "Bahamian descent" gave Otto the doll as a gift or as "retaliation for a wrongdoing". Many friends and family members had stories about how they could see Roberts facial expressions change depending on the topic of conversation, especially if it was negative about Jean. But his eyes are hard beads of black and his sailor suit, while pressed and clean, once belonged to his now-deceased owner. I was curious and interested in your history. He is dressed in sailor gear and has a strange looking dog with large eyes sitting on his lap. Susan Smith/FlickrFort East Martello Museum, the official home of Robert the Doll. Gene grew disturbingly close to the doll. @7Xbjd Robert the Doll is the inspiration behind the 1980s slasher film. World right now by apologizing to a cursed doll, disliked the apology... Ottos swore they could hear Robert giggling and walking around the house by Steph Co. to her family friends. Received a doll she made for the familys youngest son was able to give a doll she for! Has been wreaking havoc since the early-1900s dolls supernatural powers by blaming the movie... War, displays detailing Key West market before leaving Key West others followed just to be serious friend, strange... Please forgive me this website who took its pic without permission come in and a. Death in 1974, Annette placed the house Jean would say & quot ; Robert it... 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