Robert the Doll - a myth, or so much more? Robert came to be in the early 1900’s. He was custom made by a servant of Mr. Otto. Mr. and Mrs. Otto were prominent members of society and owned a very luxurious mansion, which is now the current Artist House Bed and Breakfast. In the 1900’s it was customary to give a doll to a child, in his or her image. Robert was crafted by two ill-treated Bahamian servants. Mr. Otto had a reputation for treating his servants with great disrespect and inhumanity.
Robert, was presented to the Otto’s young son, Gene. Gene loved his doll. The doll stood four feet tall, with button eyes and real human hair. The origin of the hair has never been determined but it is believed to be partially Gene’s. Gene dressed his doll in a white sailors suit. He and Robert were inseparable.
Not long after Gene received Robert, the mother reported hearing Gene talking to the doll in his room. The problem was, she often heard other voices replying to her son, in a voice that completely different from his. On more than one occasion, Gene blamed Robert for different mishaps that took place in the home.
After months of nothing but problems, the Otto’s took Robert away from Gene. The child was brokenhearted that his prized playmate had been banished. He was locked in the attic safely away from the family. Many years later after the death of Gene’s parents, Gene and his wife inherited the home. His wife, going through the home, discovered Robert in the attic. Gene immediately wanted Robert to be part of the family again.
After problems began to arise, his wife ordered Robert once again to be locked in the attic. Many local children reported seeing Robert taunting them from a upstairs window. That was just the tip of the iceberg. Gene died in 1972. However, Robert did not die with him.
He can be found to this day at the East Martello Museum in Key West, Florida. Staff and visitors alike report hearing strange noises coming from his case, as well as “strange looks” coming from the doll. Anything that is unexplained is immediately blamed on Robert.
Was he a Voodoo Doll? Was he cursed? Is he a “spirit cell”? We may never know. Visit Robert… If you dare.Artist House Bed and Breakfast.
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