Visit The Museum Of Horror In Monroe, Mi. – Meltdown
Saturday afternoon I took the trek down to Monroe to visit the Museum of Horror. My friends, Jeff and Todd from Detroit Paranormal Expeditions suggested I check it out. They did a recent investigation down there and told me it was pretty active.
The Museum of Horror in Monroe. Photo credit: Nate Thompson
As I walked in, I was greeted by a smiling Raychel and Brooke, while Black Sabbath played on a really cool Crosley record player. I knew it was my kind of place. As I walked around the first floor, I was drawn to an area that said ‘Wall Of Death’. This was really interesting to me. From a piece of the carpet where ‘Dimebag’ Darrell was killed, to stuff from Jeffrey Dahmer, the Zodiac Killer, The Black Dahlia Murder and others.
The Wall Of Death
The walls are adorned with horror movie posters. Halloween, Night of the Living Dead, Scream and more. A TV playing 80s movies, and, of course, rock music playing. There’s also something which owner, Nate Thompson told me was his favorite piece in the whole museum, an actual kit to help kill a Vampire. He told me he got it from The Netherlands.
Vampire Hunting Kit
My favorite thing was a haunted OUIJA board from a bar in Detroit. Really cool!
Haunted OUIJA Board
On the second floor, all of your funeral dreams or nightmares come true. From very old caskets, to embalming tools and much more.
Museum of Horror’s second floor
There’s also an 18 and over room. To say it’s morbid would be an understatement. Below is a picture of my friend and I in there.
Me and a friend.
It’s definitely worth the trip from anywhere you might be in S.E. Michigan. They’re always adding and taking out pieces as well. Nate told me he’s always searching for cool stuff to add, so let him know if there’s anything you’d like to loan or sell to him.
Museum of Horror
Museum of Horror
While we got you in the mood, check out Nate’s short film, The Dead Record.
-Meltdown-
Krampus Festival
Krampus Festival
On December 6th, Saint Nicholas Day, Salzburg, Austria runs numerous Krampus festivals. Crafters from all over spend countless hours building and designing costumes, floats, crafts, and all manner of Krampus-related things.
As to the origin of Krampus, in short, early in December, any children that St. Nicholas deemed naughty would be visited by his companion, Krampus. Krampus, who is half-man and half-goat, looks everything like the devil. The celebrations of the winter solstice were where Krampus began. but then it became part of Christian traditions. St. Nicholas would visit and reward children on December 5th or 6th. If you were bad, Krampus would visit you instead. So Austria usually celebrates Krampus with festivals on those dates.
Krampus would be seen running through the streets during Krampuslauf, which means “Krampus run”. Austrian men (mostly drunk) run around and scare kids during this festival.
Now festivals and events of Krampus are all over the country and on various dates. There’s a Krampusfest in Loredo, Texas. A Krampus Ball in Salem, Oregon. And Krampusnacht was in Detroit as of 2021 and will hopefully return. But Austria takes it to the next level. This gallery shows all the terrifying Krampus craftsmanship.
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history.
Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.