Museum Of Death Takes Visitors On A Trip Of The Macabre And Creepy -- If They Dare
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Museums are built for all sorts of fans.
People who love fine art, modern art, science, history, cars, every sport you can name. Even wax -- for people who like celebrity look-a-likes.
In 1995, a Museum of Death was built to -- as the museum itself says -- "fill the void in death education in the USA."
The tour lasts about an hour -- but says the website, "those who can stomach it may say as long as they'd like."
KCAL9's Stephanie Simmons recently stomached, uh, visited.
The museum is definitely not for the squeamish.
"I had a marine pass out flat on his face," says Cathy Schultz who runs the museum with her husband.
She said the museum is not meant to scare but to educate. Mostly because the subject of death remains such a taboo.
"There was no information, and I had no idea about death either. I'd never even seen a dead body. I had questions and there weren't answers. So we just started delving into it," Schultz says.
She insists the museum is not about being a gallery of gore but rather about real historical moments.
The museum boasts the world's largest collection of serial murderer artwork and letters, photos of the Charles Manson crime scenes, the guillotined head of Henri Landru -- known as the Blue Beard of Paris, the California Death Room, original crime scene photos from the grisly Black Dahlia murder, a coffin collection, replicas of execution devices and items used by undertakers.
Any takers?
Simmona says one should be sure to also visit the rooms for information about suicides and cannibals.
"To get people's attention," says Schultz, "you need to shock them."
Duly noted.
"When people leave, they feel they have learned something," Schultz said, "they feel happy. People come out with smiles on their faces. Cause they know life is good and precious."
The Museum of Death is located at 6031 Hollywood Boulevard, 90028. There is a $15 admission. All ages welcome. The museum is open Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sat 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
For more about the museum, click here.
