Natural Bridge Wax Museum and Factory: Where Creepiness is Born

Recently, I talked about Natural Bridge, VA, the town that Mark Cline built.  However, I don't want anyone to think that Natural Bridge is a one trick pony.  While Cline's amazing fiberglass creations are a true highlight, Natural Bridge is home to a truly amazing wax museum.

Now, anyone who knows me, knows that there is nothing I enjoy more than a good (or bad) wax museum.  Natural Bridge does not disappoint, as they have a truly amazing and unique wax museum.

The down side is that this Wax Museum is a old school wax museum, meaning that your not going to get to pose with the figures or fondle them.  They are safely tucked behind plexiglass. 

When approaching the museum I noticed a creepy old figure hanging out an upper window.  I knew I was in for a treat.

Now every wax museum has its own style and unique touches.   What fascinated me about this place was the fact that for some reason, the eyes on the figures all looked all wonky and crazy.  Say hello to crazy Will Rogers.

Or terrifying Thomas Jefferson......

The primary focus is history and the Bible..........Here is Adam and Eve complete with strategically placed foliage.   

They have some local history as well, including this exhibit which features a hand cranked elevator used to scale the actual Natural Bridge, full of creepy children.

In case you are not aware, that rickety contraption full of children was used to climb this monstrosity.

 Seems safe.

And then there is local legend Archibald "Bar" Tolley.....

Basically, Archibald was a legendary bear hunter in the Virginia Mountain who possibly killed over 300 bears.  From the looks of this tableau, this may be the last bear he hunted.  BTW, I would like to see more taxidermy featured in Wax Museums.  Its a match made in heaven.

While walking through the wax museum, I found myself stuck behind these two tourists.

I stood there like a total idiot until I realized that they were wax.....Doh

And, like any good Southern Museum we have our Moonshine exhibit.....

Finally, we head into the museum's hall of president's which features some of the scariest looking presidents that can be found in all of America.

Then we finish things off with a visit to the last supper.

While the museum tour is over, we are only getting started.  The true gem is what lays below, where we get to see how these wax figures are made.  Now, the first thing you may notice about a wax figure work shop is that it looks like a serial killer's basement.

The wax figure creation process is displayed in a very artistic (and chilling) manner.

Of course the highlight has to be the sad re-purposed Michael Dukakis.....

Down in the workshop there is a smattering of extra figures not on display in the museum, such as John Wayne.....

And Santa Claus sitting in front of a wall of heads.......

Now I adore Wax Museums, and I must say this one is special.  There are few Wax Museums with this level of unintentional creepiness.

The Carpetbagger

Please feel free to e-mail me at jacobthecarpetbagger@gmail.com
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Fiberglass Dinosaurs, Monsters of the American Roadside

Recently I talked about the King of Roadside Fiberglass Mark Cline and his remarkable Dinosaur attraction.  While his exhibit is my personal favorite it is by no means the only place to see Fiberglass Dinosaurs on the Southern Roadside.  There are plenty of other roadside destinations to get your dinosaur fill.

While, it is somewhat rare, it is possible to find a stray Fiberglass Dino like this lone Triceratops in Cherokee, NC.

If want to really scratch your fiberglass dinosaur itch you are going to have to go to on the tourist traps that they inhabit, such as Dinosaur World in Cave City, KY.  There is a mirror attraction in Plant City, FL.

When I was passing through Cave City, KY I stopped at Dinosaur World, the woman at the front said they were closing down, but agreed to sell me a ticket if I ran through really quick.  So me and my daughter went on a mad sprint through a forest full of Fiberglass monsters.  

Now Dinosaur World is a newer attraction in the World of Roadside attractions.  The Fiberglass is more shiny and slick then the older attractions.

Despite this, some of their Dinosaurs are really strange looking.   I did not have a chance to get any of their names, remember: I was running.

Check out the Devil horns on this guy......

Or these weird guys eating dirt.....

Or this freaky Parrot Monster......

 

And you have to love these Dinosaur ashtrays......

Things are capped off by possibly the lamest Dinosaur Museum on the planet.

Actually, make that the lamest MUSEUM on the planet.....

For a more authentic experience I recommend a visit to Dinosaurland in White Post, VA.  Opened in 1969 Dinosaurland gives you that true old timey family roadtrip feel.  

Now, much like my trip to Dinosaur World, I apparently arrived at a time they were not expecting visitors.  It was cold and muddy and there some ice and snow.  They did let me visit the park, but they actually made me sign a waiver before I entered.

Of course, when I had to enter the attraction through a magic tree mouth, I knew I was in for a treat.

 

 Dinosaurland has an amazing sign that is clearly inspired by Dinseyland.

 Check out that Octopus....

And their Sabertooth Tiger....

And a giant shark you can crawl inside of.....

Oh yeah, they have Dinosaurs too.....

This attraction actually played a large part in inspiring Mark Cline's Dinosaur Kingdom.   This attraction has actually hired Mark Cline to repair some of their old damaged Dinosaurs.  You can pick out some of the newer dinosaurs that were clearly created by Cline.

What I really love about this place is that they don't just stop at Dinosaurs.  They are some off the wall additions to the park as well.

Such as a giant praying mantis....

 

 

 Or this giant Snake....

A Wooly Mammoth......

A Dodo Bird....

And a massive King Kong.....

Your actually supposed to stand in his hand and pose for pictures......

My favorite figure by far is the Giant Land Sloth....

His fur is drenched in rain and their is algae growing all over him, and look at that tongue....

In the gift shop, they sell the same vintage postcards that they have been selling since they first opened....

The kids in the pictures are family members of the creator of the park.......

The lady that sold them to me actually pointed out to me that it was her posing with a dinosaur when she was a child.

Long family roadtrips and fiberglass dinosaurs.....Is there anything closer to the true American Dream?

The Carpetbagger

Please feel free to e-mail me at jacobthecarpetbagger@gmail.com
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