Aside from the dozens of apology letters, Robert also receives gifts and praise. For more information about the Fort East Martello Museum or to purchase tickets, please visit their website. The house was purchased by Myrtle Reuter, who found Robert hidden in the attic a few years later. Silly urban legend linked to coincidental incidents? Otto noticed a strange change around his house until it was too late. And thats what brings us back to my old post. We all joked and Blamed it on Robert. They decided to lock Robert up in the attic where he stayed until Jean returned home as an adult. A new owner moved in, they had a ten-year-old daughter who found Robert in the attic and was soon attached to it. Gene went on to become a celebrated artist, studying art in major cities like Chicago, New York, and Paris. It was beige in colour and had human-like hair. 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. This is the tale of Robert the doll. Some claim that he was gifted to his late owner Robert Eugene (Gene) Otto from his grandfather in 1904. 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. Letters of apology arrive on a daily basis. Robert Oppenheimer Letters And Recollections, Merry Go Round Of Life Piano Sheet With Letters. Annette allowed Gene to continue caring for his friend, but she was definitely not a fan. They'd go check on him only to find the young boy shaking with fear, surrounded by overturned furniture. One that has inspired horror movies over the last couple of decades, and countless tales dating back much further. An aunt who lived with the Ottos was worried about all of the chaos Robert the Doll was causing. In fact, we may have to upgrade that hundreds to thousands. 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. The museum accepted the doll and its baggage, assuming Reuter's claims were, of course, nonsense. If the government isnt helping and praying hasnt worked yet, whats the harm in apologizing to Robert just in case? For many, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Or that young Otto triggered the dolls supernatural powers by blaming the doll for his childhood mishaps. 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. The problem was that she was also the caretaker for the Otto family. Lisa & Joe Baylee. Address: Fort East Martello Museum 3501 S Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040. 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And if permission is not granted, or if the person fails to ask for permission at all, that individual will be cursed. a few years First, I noticed something strange happening in the comment section of one of my articles. What they're not allowed to do is take a picture of him without asking for permission. Robert is not your average doll. Whether you're a believer or not, one thing's for sure, this doll is not to be played with. Robert was once owned by painter, writer, and Key West resident Robert Euge Otto. This, if you dont know, is the strange tale of a seemingly ordinary doll that allegedly holds a mysterious curse. These cookies do not store any personal information. Since his arrival, Robert has received nearly 1,000 letters. All Rights Reserved. The Curse of Robert the Doll: Directed by Brian Knappmiller. 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. 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. Considered the most haunted doll in the world, Robert the Doll lives behind glass in a museum in Key West, Florida, where every year thousands of visitors who fail to follow his rules find themselves cursed. According to rumours, the Otto family didnt treat their servants well. Thanks for contacting us. Twitter users are trying to stem the bleeding of the world right now by apologizing to a cursed doll. The dolls sailor suit was likely an outfit that Otto wore as a child. They could hear the doll speak back in a croaky tone. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. I mean no disrespect to you, Robert the Doll. Your. Scientists Continue Doing Weird Things With Video Games, Engineered Arts Unveils Ameca, the Most Advanced Humanoid Robot. Theres a bit of debate surrounding Roberts origins. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In some ways, this is similar to the curse of Uluru. The museum accepted the doll and its baggage, assuming Reuters claims were, of course, nonsense. 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.). As absurd as that may sound, before we go any further, can I hear a Sorry, Robert!? According to local folklore, the doll has caused "car accidents, broken bones, job loss, divorce and a cornucopia of other misfortunes", and museum visitors supposedly experience "post-visit misfortunes" for "failing to respect Robert". The doll originally belonged to Robert Euge Otto, an artist known as Extric, who belonged to a prominent Key West family. Gene Otto died in 1974 and Anne moved out. One example can be found over at Trip Advisor, by a reviewerwho managed to snap not one but three photos of Robert without asking permission. Not exactly a pandemic, but enough to cause a visitor in 2009 to apologize to Robert. He had a lady who took its pic without permission come in and do a face to face with Robert the doll. 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. Often times the families would find Robert in a room or outside the front door. Robert the Doll would sit in the top rotunda window. I have also been hearing some strange noises during the night since Ive been home. 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 It was, at first blush, unremarkable: a doll of wire, cloth and straw, with beige skin and human-like hair. East Martello Museum |Key West, Florida, Fact Analysis: Gene got him a chair and positioned him in front of a window. Got back home, the disc was blank. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own, and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers. 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. The girl reported that the doll moved about in her room. Twitter users are trying to stem the bleeding of the world right now by apologizing to a cursed doll. Robert the Doll is an allegedly haunted doll exhibited at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. Otto Family Collection/Florida Keys Public Library/Flickr. Do you believe an object can be cursed? Otto, who went by "Gene," loved the toy so much, he named it after himself. Interested in learning more about the most haunted places on the Island? 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. A young Robert Eugene Otto (right) wearing the sailors suit that was eventually given to Robert the Doll. After Gene died in 1974, Annette placed the house on the market before leaving Key West for good. Forgive me. Ted, May 8 2017 Dear Robert, I visited you in the main west. Indeed, upon second look, Robert the Doll isnt so innocent. The doll originally belonged to Robert Eugene Otto, an artist described as "eccentric", who belonged to a prominent Key West family. Gene's home came to be called "The Artist's House." In 1994, she donated him to the Fort East Martello Museum. After his parents passed away, Jean inherited the familys Key West mansion. Join Ghost City Tours on one of our Ghost Tours and see what the excitment is all about! Watched it twice, carefully, and he doesnt move at all!!! One Facebook page known for chronicling stories of Robert warns against saving the image or tapping on the screen. However, while the rules of Roberts Curse are simple and mostly based on direct contact, in the past few years it seems to have spread to the Internet. People send him candy, money, and - occasionally - drugs, which, side note, you shouldn't do. TripAdvisor user HowardRK didnt ask permission and, in a post on the site described what happened afterward. One of the servants grew extremely tired of this constant maltreatment and sought to take revenge. Servants would find broken objects in Genes room, which he would say were broken by Robert. Enjoyed this article? Young Otto was so enamored with the doll that he named it after himself, clothed it in his very own clothes, and despite the toys awkwardly large size, carried it with him wherever he went. Otto was so close to his new friend that his parents would often hear him whispering to it. Backpackerverse.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. 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. As in he is a live entity.. Moving. To all who may read thisplease, listen to the nice lady at the front desk at the musuem [sic]. No one believed the kid until the family, too, started experiencing unexplained events around the home. Gene grew disturbingly close to the doll. And young Otto would cry: Robert did it!. that document the history of Robert, So today I am going to cover the basics here. I thought maybeyou would like to see some of my dolls as well. Robert the Doll is the inspiration behind the 1980s slasher film. Many have even reported seeing the doll move. He made arrangements for the doll in the topmost section of the house. Visitors have also been known to leave candy, money, and sometimes even joints. On Annes recurring requests, he locked the doll in the attic. Conflicts with religious points of view and beliefs started up.The tipping point happened when the family found the maid practicing magic. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I was just learning about you. If you want too. 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. Perhaps one person decided to apologize, and others followed just to be sure. Check it out: Apology Letters. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Robert did it!" According to local lore, Robert will not hesitate to put a curse on anyone who doesn't obey the rules. Subscribe Today! As with most antiques, the history of the doll is somewhat obscure. He also receives emails and letters of apology when people realize they probably should have asked his permission. His wife died two years later. The neighbourhood children reported Robert mocking them from the window. He's been published in The New York Times" and "Huffington Post and has co-authored numerous collections of trivia, puzzles and humor. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . ASK ROBERTS PERMISSION IF YOU WANT TO TAKE HIS PICTURE!!!. Soon, however, strange things began to happen around the Otto household. The servant (a Bahamian woman) is alleged to have cursed the doll with black magic and handedthe doll to the boy as a parting gift when she left. Get Robert's FREE Ebook "How To Attract Your Ex Back" here: https://the3wordformula.com/exbackRobert Zink reveals how to make someone apologize using the . Rachel is not a professional writer but she is a passionate writer. Dolls are lovable, but things will take a creepy turn if I told you that a doll named Robert gets an average of one to three apology letters daily. Robert, as it turns out, wasn't even meant to be a toy. I have also been hearing some strange noises during the night since I've been home.. The maid was fired on the spot but was able to give a doll she made for the familys youngest son. PSA for those curious/ confused but do NOT go into #sorryrobert someone posted a picture of a very haunted doll named Robert, without its consent and basically if you do see it you just need to say you're sorry to prevent him from cursing you (i wish i was kidding), 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. 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. Robert. Others note that this Internet version of the curse has happened before. The doll became a constant companion of Robert; he took the doll everywhere, from family gatherings to parks. Robert the Doll is the inspiration behind the 1980s slasher film Child's Play. Otto Family Collection/Florida Keys Public Library/FlickrA young Robert Eugene Otto (right) wearing the sailors suit that was eventually given to Robert the Doll. 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. In a #SorryRobert Twitter version of "The Ring" the movie about a cursed videotape that. 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. Forgive me. Joseph, September 17, 2019. In his 2009 review of the East Martello Museum, HowardRK wrote, As I snapped the picture, I looked at my camera and it said NO IMAGES. 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 first comment on my article to apologize to Robert, for nothing more than reading about him online, was posted on February 21, 2015, with a very simple Im sorry Robert.. Robert the Doll Apology Letters; Supernatural Experiences (FA 74) Manuscripts & Folklife Archives Western Kentucky University, [email protected] LEASK-DISSERTATION-2020.Pdf (1.565Mb) Reasoning, Science, and the Ghost Hunt; Twenty-First Century American Ghost Hunting: a Late Modern Enchantment; Hughes Behanna Signorella 2001 Fortune Telling.Pages 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. 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. Some versions of the foot claim that a little girl from a Bahamian desk gave the doll to Otto as a gift or as revenge for a wrongdoing. 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. 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. The Otto family was a very stern, conservative, and super-wealthy family, in fact, they were the most wealthy family in the areaatthat time. 65 titsmcgee84 3 yr. ago Learn about one of Key West's most haunted homes. Jeanne was known to take Robert with her even as an adult. Rumor has it that the Ottos could hear their son talking to someone while alone in his room. I was very sorry. Lauren, Jan 18, 2018 Sorry to read about you and see your photos online. Of course, the original curse has to do with taking a picture of the actual Robert without asking for permission first. Follow the rules and don't cross him. Robert now resides in the East Martello Museum in Key West in a glass box. Can a doll curse someone over the Internet? The following morning it changed again!! He referred to it merely as "Robert," as if he recognized it as a living being. All right reserved. The story dates back to the year 1906. Others say that the doll was gifted to the child by a Voodoo practitioner who worked for his family, as retaliation for their wrongdoings. Who would have thought a doll could hold so much power? Or, at the very least, those who dare to research or read about Robert the Doll online arent taking any chances. 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