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.
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareHAIMING, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 01: A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature hits a fire to release sparks on the town square during their annual Krampus night in Tyrol on December 1, 2013 in Haiming, Austria. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareHAIMING, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 01: Members of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature parade on the town square during their annual Krampus night in Tyrol on December 1, 2013 in Haiming, Austria. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareHAIMING, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 01: A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature holds a junior Krampus that in the performance had been transformed from a delinquent little boy into the demon-like Krampus on the town square during their annual Krampus night in Tyrol on December 1, 2013 in Haiming, Austria. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareHAIMING, AUSTRIA - DECEMBER 01: A member of the Haiminger Krampusgruppe dressed as the Krampus creature pulls a cart where a delinquent little boy is captive on the town square during their annual Krampus night in Tyrol on December 1, 2013 in Haiming, Austria. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: A participant dressed as the Krampus creature walks the streets in search of delinquent children during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: A participant dressed as the Krampus creature walks the streets in search of delinquent children during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: A participant dressed as the Krampus creature walks the streets in search of delinquent children during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: Participants dressed as the Krampus creature walk the streets in search of delinquent children during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: Participants dressed as the Krampus creature walk the streets in search of delinquent children during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: A participant dressed as the Krampus creature parades past onlookers on his Krampus vehicle during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: Young children dressed as the Krampus creature walk the streets during Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: Participants who arrived by bus and will be dressed as the Krampus creature watch a colleague spit fire prior to Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children
ShareNEUSTIFT IM STUBAITAL, AUSTRIA - NOVEMBER 30: A participant who arrived by bus tries on his Krampus creature mask as other participants put on their costumes prior to Krampus night on November 30, 2013 in Neustift im Stubaital, Austria. Sixteen Krampus groups including over 200 Krampuses participated in the first annual Neustift event. Krampus, in Tyrol also called Tuifl, is a demon-like creature represented by a fearsome, hand-carved wooden mask with animal horns, a suit made from sheep or goat skin and large cow bells attached to the waist that the wearer rings by running or shaking his hips up and down. Krampus has been a part of Central European, alpine folklore going back at least a millennium, and since the 17th-century Krampus traditionally accompanies St. Nicholas and angels on the evening of December 5 to visit households to reward children that have been good while reprimanding those who have not. However, in the last few decades Tyrol in particular has seen the founding of numerous village Krampus associations with up to 100 members each and who parade without St. Nicholas at Krampus events throughout November and early December. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Krampuslauf in the Salzkammergut
ShareMask at the traditional Krampus and Perchten run in Bad Goisern in the Salzkammergut.