International Cryptozoology Museum
The International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine, is the world’s only museum dedicated to cryptozoology — the study of animals whose existence remains disputed or unverified by mainstream science, including Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Yeti. Founded in 2003 by author and cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, the museum presents the largest public collection of cryptozoology artefacts, casts, and cultural objects in the world.
At a glance
- Type
- Specialty museum dedicated to cryptozoology and unknown animals
- Period
- Founded 2003; collection built over decades of field research by Loren Coleman
- Style
- Contemporary museum with cultural, scientific, and popular-culture exhibits
- Location
- Portland, Maine, USA
- Coordinates
- 43.6516° N, 70.2926° W
Overview
The International Cryptozoology Museum occupies a unique position in the American museum landscape as the sole institution dedicated to systematic documentation of cryptid reports and associated cultural artefacts. It is a serious scholarly resource as well as a popular cultural attraction, drawing visitors who range from academic researchers to enthusiasts of folklore and unexplained phenomena. The museum is led by Loren Coleman, who has written over 40 books on cryptozoology and related topics.
History
Loren Coleman began collecting cryptozoology-related material over decades of field research and documentary work. The collection was first opened to the public in 2003, initially from a private home, before growing into a dedicated public museum space in Portland. Coleman, who also has a background in social work and suicide research, developed the museum as a means of presenting cryptozoology as a legitimate area of inquiry at the intersection of natural history, folklore, and cultural anthropology.
What you see
The museum displays hundreds of objects related to Bigfoot, the Yeti, the Loch Ness Monster, the Mothman, and dozens of other reported cryptids from around the world. Exhibits include plaster footprint casts, hair samples submitted for analysis, historical photographs, news clippings, field expedition equipment, and a substantial collection of popular-culture items documenting how cryptids have entered mainstream imagination. Life-size figures and dioramas bring the subject to vivid, tactile life.
Cultural significance
Cryptozoology reflects a recurring human impulse to seek unknown creatures at the edges of mapped knowledge — a tradition that has produced genuine zoological discoveries (the okapi, the giant squid) alongside enduring folklore. The International Cryptozoology Museum is the primary institution preserving the material culture and research history of this field. Its existence affirms Portland, Maine, as an unexpected hub of unconventional cultural heritage.
Practical information
- Address
- 4 Thompson’s Point, Portland, ME 04102, USA
- Hours
- Check official website for current hours and seasonal schedule.
- Admission
- Check official website for current admission prices.
- Website
- cryptozoologymuseum.com
Getting there
The museum is located at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine, accessible by car with parking on site. Portland is served by Portland International Jetport (PWM), with shuttle and taxi services to downtown. From downtown Portland, the museum is a short drive or rideshare journey west along Commercial Street to Thompson’s Point Road.