Bigfoot Discovery Museum Closes After Two Decades
Cryptozoology
Thursday 12th, December 2024
The Bigfoot Discovery Museum, a beloved attraction nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains, has closed its doors after 20 years, following the retirement of its founder, Michael Ruggs.
The museum, located alongside Highway 9 in Felton, California, was renowned for its dedication to exploring the legend of Bigfoot. Over the years, it became an emblem of the area’s eccentric charm, drawing visitors from far and wide to marvel at its exhibits and share in the intrigue of the mythical creature.
Michael Ruggs, the museum’s founder and long-time operator, reflected on the end of this chapter. “It’s going to be weird for me. Yeah. I’m so used to this, and I’ve been doing this for so, so long. To suddenly have it all go away, and everything is going to be strange”, he shared.
On an average day, the museum attracted between 30 and 70 visitors. One highlight for guests was Ruggs’ local sighting map, which documented reported Bigfoot encounters in the area. “They’ll check everything out, and I show them our local sighting map, and they’re usually amazed to see how many sightings there have been in this area. I was amazed, too, because when I opened it, I didn’t expect that to happen”, Ruggs explained.
Among the museum’s displays were statues, collectible items, plaster casts of hand and footprints attributed to Bigfoot, and a detailed exhibit on the famous Patterson-Gimlin film, one of the most debated pieces of evidence in Bigfoot lore.
For visitors, the museum sparked a sense of curiosity and wonder. Museum-goer Allison Luna remarked: “Read all the details, take into account what is there, what could be, you know, and keep your mind open when you’re trying to go through it all. So just enjoy it.”
Ruggs’ passion for the museum stemmed from his own childhood encounter with Bigfoot, which left a lasting impression. He recounted the moment, “I looked upstream, and then when I look back towards the woods. ‘Whoa, here’s this big hairy guy standing there looking at me.’ And we had eye contact for about the count of three. Then I heard my mother screaming, ‘Mikey, where are you?’ So I thought, ‘Oh, jeez, I better get back.’”
The closure is a poignant moment for Ruggs, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community that supported the museum for two decades. “I would say, thank you for your support. Thank you for coming in, bringing in friends and relatives. It has helped make this happen. And, this is a wonderful community here in Santa Cruz. I just love this place”, he said.
The museum’s retirement marks the end of an era in the Santa Cruz Mountains. However, the fascination with Bigfoot and the sense of wonder it inspired will continue to resonate among those who visited this unique and quirky landmark.
The museum, located alongside Highway 9 in Felton, California, was renowned for its dedication to exploring the legend of Bigfoot. Over the years, it became an emblem of the area’s eccentric charm, drawing visitors from far and wide to marvel at its exhibits and share in the intrigue of the mythical creature.
Michael Ruggs, the museum’s founder and long-time operator, reflected on the end of this chapter. “It’s going to be weird for me. Yeah. I’m so used to this, and I’ve been doing this for so, so long. To suddenly have it all go away, and everything is going to be strange”, he shared.
On an average day, the museum attracted between 30 and 70 visitors. One highlight for guests was Ruggs’ local sighting map, which documented reported Bigfoot encounters in the area. “They’ll check everything out, and I show them our local sighting map, and they’re usually amazed to see how many sightings there have been in this area. I was amazed, too, because when I opened it, I didn’t expect that to happen”, Ruggs explained.
Among the museum’s displays were statues, collectible items, plaster casts of hand and footprints attributed to Bigfoot, and a detailed exhibit on the famous Patterson-Gimlin film, one of the most debated pieces of evidence in Bigfoot lore.
For visitors, the museum sparked a sense of curiosity and wonder. Museum-goer Allison Luna remarked: “Read all the details, take into account what is there, what could be, you know, and keep your mind open when you’re trying to go through it all. So just enjoy it.”
Ruggs’ passion for the museum stemmed from his own childhood encounter with Bigfoot, which left a lasting impression. He recounted the moment, “I looked upstream, and then when I look back towards the woods. ‘Whoa, here’s this big hairy guy standing there looking at me.’ And we had eye contact for about the count of three. Then I heard my mother screaming, ‘Mikey, where are you?’ So I thought, ‘Oh, jeez, I better get back.’”
The closure is a poignant moment for Ruggs, who expressed heartfelt gratitude to the community that supported the museum for two decades. “I would say, thank you for your support. Thank you for coming in, bringing in friends and relatives. It has helped make this happen. And, this is a wonderful community here in Santa Cruz. I just love this place”, he said.
The museum’s retirement marks the end of an era in the Santa Cruz Mountains. However, the fascination with Bigfoot and the sense of wonder it inspired will continue to resonate among those who visited this unique and quirky landmark.
