It was a very ordinary looking doll, made of cloth, straw, and wire. Once the doll entered the Otto household, it soon began showing sinister signs of life. I was curious about your history and was interested. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own, and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers. After Gene died in 1974, Annette placed the house on the market before leaving Key West for good. Please forgive me. Ted, May 8 2017, Dear Robert, I visited you in key west. His wife, Anne, disliked the doll and felt uncomfortable in its presence. After their deaths, the Eaton Street house with the doll was sold to Myrtle Reuter, who owned it for 20 years. Not exactly a pandemic, but enough to cause a visitor in 2009 to apologize to Robert. 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. regards, Your email address will not be published. There are many videos out there on YouTube, as well as, books, TV shows, etc. And thats what brings us back to my old post. Want us to showcase your talent, pictures, or videos? 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. by Andy Wright October 25, 2021. In fact, we may have to upgrade that hundreds to thousands. Others note that this Internet version of the curse has happened before. This is the tale of Robert the doll. In 2015, a Robert the Doll movie was released simply titled Robert. 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. Otto, who went by "Gene," loved the toy so much, he named it after himself. Subscribe Today! At any rate, many people who feel cursed send letters of apology to the museum, which are affixed to that wall. He's been published in The New York Times" and "Huffington Post and has co-authored numerous collections of trivia, puzzles and humor. Robert the Doll is Key West's most cursed object. But Ottos wife was not as keen on his childhood toy and requested that he keep the doll locked up. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Was it the imagination of the Ottos? And they have to ask nicely, too. Paranormal Sightings in England: The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. 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 . Annette allowed Gene to continue caring for his friend, but she was definitely not a fan. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Mysterious Men in Black and Their Equally Weird Cars, Lab-Grown Human Mini Brains Are Being Developed for Biocomputers, Strange Accounts of Dwarf Aliens and their Apocalyptic Messages from Mexico, Royal Time Traveler, Illuminati Psychic, Human with a Tail, Drug-Sniffing Squirrels and More Mysterious News Briefly, A Creepy Cemetery, a Vampire, and the Bizarre Feud Between Two Wizard Vampire Hunters, Centaurs at Area 51, Monster Penguins, Three-Armed People, Nuclear Mars Ships and More Mysterious News Briefly. Even stranger, fans and fearful believers send letters directly to Robert, sometimes praying to him, sometimes apologizing for having looked at him the wrong way while visiting the museum. What they're not allowed to do is take a picture of him without asking for permission. Gene's home came to be called "The Artist's House." The next morning Lilly had returned to normal. The couple returned to the Otto family home in Key West to live there until Ottos death in 1974. I have also been hearing some strange noises during the night since Ive been home. 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. We all joked and Blamed it on Robert. Also, check out La Pascualita: An Extremely Well-Preserved Corpse, or an Eerily Life-like Mannequin?. Starlink Satellites Once Again Confused For UFOs Or Santa Claus? Choose a space that feels relaxing, and make sure you have enough time to not feel rushed. Robert, as it turns out, wasn't even meant to be a toy. (Cayobo / Flickr). We will enjoy and cherish Robert Junior. Afterwards, his camera stopped working, and all of the photos hed taken in Key West disappeared. The story dates back to the year 1906. Can a doll curse someone over the Internet? Robert's arrival at the museum must've been a turning point for him since he kicked it up a notch with his antics. Reuter lived with Robert for 20 years it's said she even took him with her when she moved to a new home in the 1980s. 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.. The servant was immediately fired, but not before she gave a lifelike doll to the young son of the family, Robert. Often times the families would find Robert in a room or outside the front door. 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. 2022 Ghost City, Ghost City Tours. After his parents passed away, Jean inherited the familys Key West mansion. After his parents deaths Gene and his young bride moved back into his childhood home where he uncovered his childhood doll. The body of Robert the Doll was old and stiff, made of straw and rags. With Quinn Aune, Laura Baggett, Jeff Belanger, Jenna Sue Berry. Gene went on to become a celebrated artist, studying art in major cities like Chicago, New York, and Paris. It all goes back to 2013, when I first posted about Robert the Doll. But there are many more. Behind him, pinned to the wall, is the warning sign: "Don't Photograph," followed by a list of Robert's mischievous deeds. If his head tilts, permission is not granted. 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. Arguably Key West's favorite haunted attraction, Robert the Doll has been wreaking havoc since the early-1900s. The blue sailor suit that Robert wears is likely one of Jeans old suits from childhood. That is until they heard a completely different voice reply to Gene. Susan Smith/FlickrFort East Martello Museum, the official home of Robert the Doll. Or, at the very least, those who dare to research or read about Robert the Doll online arent taking any chances. Fort East Martello is an Art & Historical Museum open to the public. According to local lore, Robert will not hesitate to put a curse on anyone who doesn't obey the rules. The Otto family was a very stern, conservative, and super-wealthy family, in fact, they were the most wealthy family in the areaatthat time. Others have said that if you take a picture of Robert, without his permission, youll be cursed for an eternity along with anyone you are with at the museum. Supposedly the maid was a practitioner of the dark arts. The bizarre circumstances surrounding Robert have earned him a reputation as the most [] The boat capt. Gene was so excited about the doll that he named it after himself. Pinned to a wall behind him is a series of letters, each containing an apology for crossing him in some way. After learning the creepy story of Robert the Doll, check out Australias doll hospital. Check it out: Apology Letters. The doll was stored in the Otto family home at 534 Eaton Street in Key West while Otto studied art in New York and Paris. The doll remained in the attic with every new owner of the house, but strange occurrences were frequent. I snapped his picture, not once but three times All the 50 plus pictures that we had taken in Key West were suddenly gone. 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. This, if you dont know, is the strange tale of a seemingly ordinary doll that allegedly holds a mysterious curse. Lights flicker. In a #SorryRobert Twitter version of "The Ring" the movie about a cursed videotape that. The house was purchased by Myrtle Reuter, who found Robert hidden in the attic a few years later. Imagine the family's surprise when they were approached by a passerby who confirmed their suspicions. His face is covered in nicks, chips, and holes. Thank again. Backpackerverse.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Robert the doll, surrounded by the letters he receives. Otherwise, youll need to write him an apology letter. In the past, Roberts curse was reserved just for rude photographers who didnt ask permission before snapping his picture. Locals swore that the doll would disappear and then reappear facing another direction, or that his gaze would follow them as they passed. One of the letters Robert received. Enjoyed this article? Don't say we didn't warn you. Claims Of Robert The Doll Caught Moving, And Face Changing, On Tape. 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 They could also hear Jean talking to them in two different voices at the same time through the closed doors. They could also hear Jean talking to them in two different voices at the same time through the closed doors. Gene relocated to Paris when he grew up, to study and pursue his career in art. They didn't think much of it, though, chalking it up to the child's overactive imagination. According to legend, Gene's parents would often be woken up by their son's screams. Its a fair bet, a cursed dolls version of Pascals wager. Gene got him a chair and positioned him in front of a window. Your email address will not be published. Whenever there was trouble around the house Jean would say "Robert did it". Of course, the original curse has to do with taking a picture of the actual Robert without asking for permission first. One of the servants grew extremely tired of this constant maltreatment and sought to take revenge. Museum staff say that upon being placed on exhibit, cameras and other electronics started to malfunction. A doll doesn't have to be cute to be cursed. Robert the Doll: Key Wests Haunted Doll | By David Sloan, Recommended Visit: This one-of-a-kind handmade doll was gifted by Steph Co. to her family and friends. 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. Theres a bit of debate surrounding Roberts origins. Robert was once owned by painter, author, and Key West resident Robert Eugene Otto. 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. Instead, it was an outfit his owner Gene Otto wore as a child. And if you forget and dont take a picture, you must apologize in person or in writing (the wall at the museum is covered with letters of apology) you will be cursed and suffer you know, bad things. Robert the Dolls own companion, an unhinged-looking stuffed dog. These days, he can be found locked behind glass at Fort East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. He immediately retrieves Robert from the attic and places him in the turret room that Jean has decided to use as her painting room and Roberts bedroom. Instead, it was an outfit his owner Gene Otto wore as a child. Some sources claim that the doll was gifted to Robert Eugene Otto by his grandfather on his return from Germany. Letters of apology arrive on a daily basis. Advertiser Disclosure: Backpackerverse.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. Copyright 2011-2021 Stranger Dimensions. Robert is not your average doll. A little boy, Robert Eugene Otto, who lived with his family in Key West, Florida, received a gift. Check out the video and see for yourself! Like the letters sent to the museum, theyve left comments online containing their own apologies. STSTW Media strives to deliver accurate information through careful research. I was so honored and amazed. That night I moved Robert Jr into another room. He gets probably one to three letters every day, said Convertito. But even as a newlywed, Gene's love for Robert never waned. Gene grew disturbingly close to the doll. 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.