NASA's Photos From Mars: Don't Tell Me the Red Planet Wasn't Once a Thriving World! TripAdvisor user HowardRK didnt ask permission and, in a post on the site described what happened afterward. Letters of apology arrive on a daily basis. On the other hand, youll find humor, honesty, passion, and hopefully interesting content at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. Reuter lived with Robert for 20 years its said she even took him with her when she moved to a new home in the 1980s. I thought maybeyou would like to see some of my dolls as well. The house was purchased by Myrtle Reuter, who found Robert hidden in the attic a few years later. A couple years ago, I noticed something peculiar happening in the comments section of one of my articles. He locked Robert a couple of times, just to find him reappearing on his rocking chair by the window in his room. Other stories claim that the doll moved voodoo figurines around the room, and was "aware of what went on around him". Like the letters sent to the museum, theyve left comments online containing their own apologies. Went to a camera store and they could find no reason why our pictures were gone and why the disc was blank. In this section youll find things that are not of this realm or reality. If his head tilts, permission is not granted. In his right hand, he holds a toy of his own, a wide-eyed plush puppy, whose cheery expression makes Robert look all the more ominous. In a #SorryRobert Twitter version of The Ring the movie about a cursed videotape that kills people seven days after they watch it if you see a picture of Robert, you have to apologize immediately or suffer bad luck. I mean no disrespect to you, Robert the Doll. That is until they heard a completely different voice reply to Gene. Perhaps one person decided to apologize, and others followed just to be sure. As legend has it, Robert can be seen walking past those windows as well as looking out of them. Others note that this Internet version of the curse has happened before. Otherwise, youll need to write him an apology letter. 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. RobertThe doll was created sometime around the late 1800s by a Haitian maid. 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. 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. Imagine getting a doll as a gift that looked like Robert The Doll. But soon, the doll became a nightmare for her too. These days, he can be found locked behind glass at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. A new owner moved in, they had a ten-year-old daughter who found Robert in the attic and was soon attached to it. Plays Jean Otto. The family started to call the boy by his middle name Gene, Robert was now the dolls name. One couple even stated that they once found the doll sitting at the foot of their bed one night with a kitchen knife in his hand. Robert the Doll is Key West's most cursed object. One day the father of the family supposedly caught a Haitian servant of theirs practicing black magic in the backyard. They decided to lock Robert up in the attic where he stayed until Jean returned home as an adult. To catch you up on the story, Here we are now, under the full moon of August, known as the Full Sturgeon Moon according to our handy Old Farmer's Almanac. If you find the above article inaccurate or biased, please let us know at [emailprotected]. After his parents deaths Gene and his young bride moved back into his childhood home where he uncovered his childhood doll. A young Robert Eugene Otto (right) wearing the sailors suit that was eventually given to Robert the Doll. No one really knew. In some ways, this is similar to the curse of Uluru. And, wouldnt you know it, when he got home from vacation he began to hear strange noises during the night.. Have a creepy awesome service or strange carnival/tour you think we should write about? I was so honored and amazed. Paranormal Sightings in England: The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. Servants would find broken objects in Genes room, which he would say were broken by Robert. One of the letters Robert received. The doll was reportedly manufactured by the Steiff Company of Germany, purchased by Otto's grandfather while on a trip to Germany in 1904, and given to young Otto as a birthday gift. 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. As word of the curse spread, stories began popping up on the Internet of people being cursed merely for looking at Roberts picture remotely without asking permission. The problem was that she was also the caretaker for the Otto family. Other stories claim that the doll moved voodoo figurines around the room, and was aware of what was around her. When you apologize, you might mention you only wanted to protect them, but you'll want to follow up this explanation by acknowledging that your dishonesty ended up doing the exact opposite. ` '; . Robert the Doll is the inspiration behind the 1980s slasher film. That explains why surrounding the warning sign are dozens of apology letters from people all over the world, asking Robert to stop the madness he's unleashed upon their lives. Cayobo/FlickrThe Artist House, once the home of Robert Eugene Otto. Oct 5, 2022 Comment Theophanes is a New-England-based blogger, traveler, writer, photographer, sculptor, and lover of cats. Silly urban legend linked to coincidental incidents? Passing school children avoided the house at all cost since they swore they could see Robert seated in his chair one minute, then disappear the next. The Ottos swore they could hear Robert giggling and walking around the house. In 1994, the doll was donated to the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, where it became a popular tourist attraction. 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. You can write to Robert at his home at Fort East Martello Museum, 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard, Key West, Florida 33040 or via email robert@robertthedoll.org. The Otto family was a very stern, conservative, and super-wealthy family, in fact, they were the most wealthy family in the areaatthat time. Or, at the very least, those who dare to research or read about Robert the Doll online arent taking any chances. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Later that day, Gene found the doll sitting on a chair in the same room he made for him. According to legend, Ottos parents would wake up in the middle of the night only to find their poor boy screaming and surrounded by overturned furniture. But Ottos wife was not as keen on his childhood toy and requested that he keep the doll locked up. Robert the Doll is apparently cursing people left and right, and a new Twitter hashtag has emerged in the chaos. Some claim that he was gifted to his late owner Robert Eugene (Gene) Otto from his grandfather in 1904. His face is covered in nicks, chips, and holes. For some time, she'd heard strange noises in the attic. It's said that Robert the Doll's outfit was even modeled after. Thanks for contacting us. As with the letters sent to the museum, they have left comments online containing their own apologies. He had a lady who took its pic without permission come in and do a face to face with Robert the doll. We went parasailing the next day, HowardRK continued. The Artist House, once the home of Robert Eugene Otto. Oh, and just one more thing: Im sorry, Robert. According to a YouTube video about the doll, Robert the doll is an allegedly haunted doll exhibited at the East Martello Museum (in Key West, Florida) who was once owned by local painter and author, Robert Eugene Otto. All Rights Reserved. Robert is a creepy looking doll. Nonetheless, numerous visitors have lined up to see Robert the Doll on display. 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 He is dressed in sailor gear and has a strange looking dog with large eyes sitting on his lap. Still other legends claim that the doll "vanished" after Otto's house changed ownership a number of times after his death,[5][8] or that young Otto triggered the doll's supernatural powers by blaming his childhood mishaps on the doll. Subscribe Today! Robert started going by his middle name Gene to avoid confusion with the doll. As with most antiques, the history of the doll is somewhat obscure. 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. In this video a paranormal tour guidesaid some spooky things happened when he tried moving Roberts hat. Some visitors write to ask Robert for advice or if he could place a curse on people who have wronged them. Annette allowed Gene to continue caring for his friend, but she was definitely not a fan. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Entering This Haunted New York Asylum Isnt For The Faint Of Heart, This Beautiful San Diego Hotel Has A Creepy Haunted Past, Imagine getting a doll as a gift that looked like. But if odd things started to happen when the doll was in your home. Claims Of Robert The Doll Caught Moving, And Face Changing, On Tape. To him, the doll was most certainly alive. Still, every year, hundreds of tourists flock to the museum to catch a glimpse of the famous local legend, even if it means being cursed for a few hours. Robert the Doll is the inspiration behind the 1980s slasher film Child's Play. Originally given as a gift to Eugene Otto, an author and painter, by his grandfather in 1904, the two were instantly inseparable. Then I saw myselfmy body. 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. Even today, misfortune allegedly befalls all those who insult him. But things started to take a strange turn when the family started to hear Gene talk to Robert late at night. Eventually Mrs. Otto became depressed and died of unknown causes with Gene shortly falling suit. But there are far more out there. Know somewhere strange to stay the night or that you think we should look into? According to Legged, the doll has supernatural abilities that allow it to move, change its facial expressions and make laughing sounds. The film loosely follows the origin story of Robert the Doll, beginning with his arrival in the Otto family home (yes, the family in the movie is indeed named Otto.). He gets probably one to three letters every day, said Convertito. 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. The doll remained in the attic with every new owner of the house, but strange occurrences were frequent. Indeed, upon second look, Robert the Doll isnt so innocent. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Arguably Key West's favorite haunted attraction, Robert the Doll has been wreaking havoc since the early-1900s. Might be a robot. The boat capt. 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. The doll originally belonged to Robert Euge Otto, an artist known as Extric, who belonged to a prominent Key West family. Somehow, this makes Robert seem even creepier. Is that persistent flicker during your Zoom meetings really just a glitch or something sinister caused by you merely looking at an image of Robert? According to local lore, Robert will not hesitate to put a curse on anyone who doesn't obey the rules. The Ottos did this, locking Robert in a box and placing him up in the attic. Otto Family Collection/Florida Keys Public Library/Flickr. 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. On his lifeless lap sits a disturbing toy pooch with big bulging eyes and a long tongue that hangs maniacally out of its mouth. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Person walking around in Scream costume prompts multiple 911 calls, Horror legend dead at 93: Ricou Browning was Creature From the Black Lagoon, Deranged new creepy movie has viewers leaving theaters to vomit: Hellish, Cocaine Bear review: Coke addict animal kills hilariously. A real-life Chucky doll? And if permission is not granted, or if the person fails to ask for permission, that person will be cursed. Robert the Doll would sit in the top rotunda window. However, in reality, the things are not as such. In fact, we may have to upgrade that hundreds to thousands. I can assure you I meant none." UPDATE : Roberts also apologized to McClellan at the more formal, on-camera press briefing this . Updated 2/10/2020 Whats creepier than a movie about a killer doll? The staff has learned to respect. His wife died two years later. I havent seen the movie, so I cant give you any information but I will update you when I get a chance to watch it. Robert. What was supposed to be a "life-sized" little boy doll in a sailor's costume, has turned into a sinister symbol of Key West folklore. Robert's room was fully-furnished and had toys for his entertainment. The museum accepted the doll and its baggage, assuming Reuter's claims were, of course, nonsense. Some sources claim that the doll was gifted to Robert Eugene Otto by his grandfather on his return from Germany. 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. Robert was once owned by painter, writer, and Key West resident Robert Euge Otto. Currently displayed at the Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida, visitors are welcome to stop by and catch a glimpse of the infamous doll. Of course, now we know that the worst was yet to come. After studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Chicago, and the Art Students League in New York, Gene Otto went to the Parisian Sorbonne, where he met his wife, Anne. It is a museum, after all. This seemed totally normal until one day they heard a deep voice answering back. 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. He talked about it in the first person as if he werent a doll, he was Robert. 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. Is Earth Destined to Become a Galactic Tourist Attraction? In this video a paranormal tour guide said some spooky things happened when he tried moving Robert's hat. Visit and have fun, but be nice - or you'll find yourself writing an apology letter to a doll. Im very sorry. Lauren, January 18, 2018, Sorry for reading about you, and looking at your photos online. And they have to ask nicely, too. Officials at the Fort East Martello Museum, where Robert resides today, deduced that the doll was actually never intended to be a doll in the first place. Join MU Plus+ and get exclusive shows and extensions & much more! At any rate, many of those who feel cursed end up sending apology letters to the museum, which end up getting pinned to that wall. The late night cleaning crew has been known to clean Roberts box, and turn off all the lights at the end of the night. mm by Linda Marie. Miami Black leaders apologize to Gov. However, Robert has kept up with times and apparently, now extends his curse to anyone who sees any picture of him on social media. Lisa & Joe Baylee. Locals swore that the doll would disappear and then reappear facing another direction, or that his gaze would follow them as they passed. 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