Robert The Doll

Our Eccentric Key West Cemetery

2011-10-20T09:32:00.000-07:00

Built in 1847 in the Dead center of Old town to replace the one washed away by a hurricane that same year, the Historic Key West cemetery is full of history and eccentricities. Surrounded by Angela, Margaret, Passover Lane, Frances and Olivia streets, they embrace a serene courtyard containing above ground tombs, weathered gravestones and peaceful statues. The Historic Key West cemetery is now the final resting place to a unique cast of individuals that only Key West can compose.
For a detail guide to the Historic Key West Cemetery please visit our Pages.

Angel Memorial by Anthony Mingo In the center of Key West's Cemetery, an Angel watches over the resting place of a loved one. http://www.everywheremag.com/places/1838

Rest in Peace

2011-10-20T07:22:00.000-07:00

Want to stay in a “Haunted Guesthouse” on your next trip to Key West?
Visit our Haunted Places page to see a list of Historic Bed and Breakfasts’ here on the island, and maybe you can have a paranormal experience of your own!
Rest in Peace.

Ghosts & Gravestones listed as part of Americas best Ghost Tours by Frommers

2011-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

Walk This Way
By Hillary McNamara
From coast to coast, America has no shortage of ghost stories. Who better to explain the things that go bump in the night than a local tour guide? Whether you're an aspiring paranormal investigator or just a haunted history buff, these ghost tours are sure to thrill.

Photo Caption: The Key West Ghosts and Gravestones Tour, Key West.

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=710&p=1#ixzz1bGJQAc6n

Key West, Florida
Background: Explore Key West's eccentric past on the Ghost and Gravestones Tour. This actor-led trolley tour revisits several historical sites of death, despair, and disaster. Be on the lookout for one of Key West's most infamous (and creepy) residents, Robert the Doll. This doll was a voodoo-laced gift to Gene Otto, the son of an affluent Key West family who resided in The Artist House. This infamous doll brought misfortune wherever it went and it's still lurking in Key West.

Dates: Tours run year-round

Cost: Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for children

More Info: Ghosts and Gravestones Key West www.ghostsandgravestones.com/key-west

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/slideshow/index.cfm?group=710&p=8#ixzz1bGJnIYBE

Ghosts of East Martello

2011-10-19T09:11:00.001-07:00

The Fort East Martello museum is home to artifacts, antiques, and art collections from the past 150 years. Exhibits share the stories of the people who struggled to build this island city, before they slowly disappear from our collective memory. But it’s not only the exhibits that speak of the ghosts of our past. A number of people over the years have reported unexplained sightings in the Fort. Come see for yourself.

*Visit our Pages to find out more on the Ghosts of East Martello.

Open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Admission is $7 for adults
$4 for children and students with ID
$6 for Seniors (62+), AAA Travelers, and Locals with ID,
Members and children under 6 - Free.

True accounts of Carl Von Cosel

2011-10-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Her name was Elena Hoyos, and she was a beautiful woman in her twenty’s dying from tuberculosis. While trying to save her life, the much older Count Carl Von Cosel fell in love with her. So divested by her death, one dark night in 1933, Count Carl Von Cosel stole Elena’s body from the crypt, and for 7 years attempted to resurrect her in his laboratory.

*Visit our Pages to find out the True accounts of Carl Von Cosel.

How to make an Apology when you need it to Count.

2011-10-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Concerning your Remorse and Regrets...

Robert will listen to your appeals in several different forms these days.

Traditionally people write good old fashion letters to Robert. This shows him you have put the time and effort into what you are saying and really does grab his attention. Please send your mail to....

Robert the Doll
C/O Fort East Martello Museum,
3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd.,
Key West, Florida 33040

He also understands that we live in the age of modern technology, so your emails wont go over looked either. Send your Emails to... Robert@RobertTheDoll.org

*Remember it’s bad manners to not include your full name and return address.

Come visit Robert at Night!

2011-10-18T07:37:00.000-07:00

Just one week until Fantasy Fest!
We will be running 8pm and 9pm tours every night until Thursday, October 27. The Trolley of the Doomed will be taking a brief break on Friday and Saturday, October 28 and 29 (even Ghosts and haunted dolls need to celebrate Fantasy Fest). On Sunday, October 30 and Monday, Hallowe'en night, we will run at 7pm, 8pm, 9pm and 10pm. Make your plans now before the Trolley passes you by ...
Reservations are required - 305-294-4678.

Photo Caption: The Ghosts and Gravestones trolley tour, Key West. Photo courtesy of Historic Tours of America

A Brief History of Robert The Doll

2011-10-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

Robert the Doll was made in 1904 as the life size effigy of the 4 year old son of the Otto family here on the island of Key West. Stuffed with straw and meticulously hand sewn by one of the family servants of Caribbean origin, the doll was given to Robert Gene Otto as a birthday present. Upon receiving the doll, the boy gave the doll his first name “Robert” and from that day forward he would only answer to the name “Gene” Otto. Often they were seen playing together and even overheard having conversations with one another, with Robert the Doll answering him back. When strange events started to happen Gene would swiftly respond by saying ”Robert Did It!”
As Gene grew older he kept Robert the Doll by his side, even building Robert his own room. Gene would commonly place him in the third floor turret room window to keep him company while he painted. Peering out, Robert the Doll rapidly became the topic of stories of the neighborhood children who would play on the streets below. With Gene dedicating so much of his time to his doll, Robert was repeatedly the focus of many a quarrels within Genes marriage.
Over the years Robert quickly became Key Wests original blame doll. Whenever anything bad would come about, you could hear Gene and others say Robert Did It!
In 1974 Gene died and his wife Anne moved back north leaving behind the doll in the attic. When the house was sold Robert the Doll came to live at the Fort East Martello Museum, where he resides now.
Visitors can see him daily throughout the year at the Fort East Martello Museum, 9:30am - 4:30pm. Many guests pay homage to Robert the Doll, bringing him tokens of their affection while others write him fan mail and apology letters. Famous in his own right, Robert the Doll is known around the world. His legend continues to grow and live on today with claims of mischief and perhaps misfortune if you dare disrespect Robert him. No matter what your belief you too will find yourself saying Robert Did It!!!

ROBERT WANTS TO KNOW

2011-10-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

Would you like your “Robert” experience to be featured on an television show about Robert the Doll?

E-mail me your personal story and your contact information to,
robert@robertthedoll.org

Robert - No Disrespect Was Meant

2009-12-08T11:41:00.000-08:00

I would also like to apologize for not asking permission, I did say thank you though! No disrespect was meant & I do apologize. Take care Robert!!

Laura

Questions for Robert

2009-06-08T11:18:00.001-07:00

Dear Robert,
My name is Andrew. I am a 17 year old boy. I’d like to ask you a few questions.
Have you met a Poltergeist?
Have you done any good deeds before or has anyone done good deeds in front of you?
How does it feel knowing that some people are scared of you?
How do you communicate with people in person?
Has anyone ever called you a “Secret Weapon” before?
Don’t worry, I’m not trying to compete with you or anything!

Robert is now on Twitter

2009-04-20T12:55:00.000-07:00

Robert is on Twitter so follow him if you dare!
Britney Spears is following him now. I wonder if she knows who Robert is? I wonder if she would want to meet Robert?

Hello Robert

2009-04-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Robert,
we read a lot of the stories about you and saw some of the pictures too. We were deeply fascinated by your story, you seem like such a mischevious person. We are troublemakers ourselves! We wish we could meet you, but you live so far away. Maybe some time we will take a vacation and visit you, you seem like you would be an interesting person to meet. We wish you luck on your adventures, and hope you can keep the museum under control, we know you are their favorite.
Hope to meet you soon,
Shelby & Madison
Sacramento, CA

Forgive me, Robert

2009-04-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Robert,

I met you while you were on tour with TAPSCON in Clearwater FL last
year. After asking permission, I took a few photos with you; they all
came out clear and looked nice. However, things have not been nice
since then. I had been living in Florida with my boyfriend of five
years, and we had just signed a contract in November 2008 to buy a
house; he lost his job the very next day! So we decided to move to
Arizona for a fresh start, but on our last night of the drive there, my
boyfriend broke up with me. This was during the first week of December,
since the lease on our apartment had run out Nov. 31! Since then I have
had to move again, and still do not have a job or my own place to live.
Everything started happening only four months after I had taken photos
with you in July.

At first, reading other's stories that were on display with you in FL, I
had doubts...and thought for sure at least it would not happen to me.
Where is the harm in taking a picture? But now I do believe that I must
have somehow disturbed you, and caused you to be unhappy with me.
Please forgive me for any intrusion, I apologize tenfold if taking your
photo has upset you. I hope that no more ill will continues, so that
things can work out for me now. Hopefully others will leave you in
peace, as well.

Sincerely,

Anita

Wierd Things Since Seeing Robert

2009-04-07T12:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Robert

I saw you when you made your debut performance in Clearwater at the TAPS convention. I think that you are fascinating but I am suffering a problem. When I saw you I was with a friend and there was a large group of people there. I asked to take your photo and you let me, all my pictures came out nice and clear, I actually got a couple really nice pictures of you. However the woman next to me and my friend did not ask to take your picture, theres did not come out as good. I think that you may have gotten confused because now when I get out of the shower the outline of your face is appearing in my mirror. I am getting a little scared and the other day I asked you to please leave me alone and I woke up with bruises on my arm.

Robert I am pleading with you please leave me alone.

Thank you
Cassandra

I'M So Sorry - Sniff

2009-04-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Dearest Robert,

I'M SOOOOOOO SORRY!!!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE FORGIVE MEEEE!
I didn't mean to make fun of you! Please please PLEASE s top giving me the computer errors, and signing off of messenger!
I'm really sorry! please accept my apology. I never meant to make fun of you, and i believe in you 100%.
And please forgive Lake!!
She doesn't know what she's in for!!!! She said she doesn't believe, and she won't email you to apologize!!!
Please don't hurt her, please don't haunt her, please just leave me and her alone.
I'll do anything!

Sincerely~
Katie.

Our Visit to Robert at East Martello Musuem

2009-04-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Robert,
The reason of this letter first of all, is to deeply apologized to you for take pictures of you and you and me, I knew I had to write you a letter asking for your permission before I download those to my computer and show it to people, but as you know people do not take serious your advise and do so, in my particular case, I came to the theory that it has to be you. I , then proceed to describe the real facts to chill my blood and make me loose all my sceptical and logical modus vivendi, soon after I was there I lost my 14 years very steady job out of nowhere, and as we speak I am going through hell trying to find a newone, when I got some real posibility, boom, it vanished, then in addition something terrible happened to a very close relative that I really love, everything in a 3 weeks time frame, then yesterday my mother send me an email about a geneological tree that a cousin was building in the net and ask me if I can post pictures of the family, now for your info I am not a kind of person that will do that, I would usually said I'm sorry I don't have time for that, but this time I thought why not, so then I start openings all my files, when all of the sudden there you where, looking at me, jeez, you chilled my blood, sitting in your chair with your navy suit and your Lion pet, I automaticaly thought, God, IT WAS ROBERT.
I hope this letter will make you think and let me go, cause, I have 2 very important interviews in the next couple days and I want to go with a peace of mind. I do not want to sound ignorant but if anybody put on my shoes you will consider this a very valid Letter.

Sorry again Robert
C.D.B.

Hello Robert:

2009-04-07T11:50:00.002-07:00

hello robert, my name is casey and just like your original friend and owner robert eugene otto i love being influenced by art. i have always wanted to come to key west not only to see the beach but to come visit you. some people think your creepy but i do not and i probably know everything about you ! some people probably think im weird because i study about you but i always know your real and do not i repeat do not let anyone let you down. i know you probably miss robert your owner but i want you to know that i can be your very best friend forever, and ever. thanks, and reply.
signed,
casey
p.s. like your dog and costume.

Are You Real?

2009-04-07T11:50:00.001-07:00

hey "robert" i, you know was kind of wondering if the stories i have heard are true i wan to beleive them but then again i dont, but i do want to beleive your DDDDDDDEEEEEAAAAADDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Speechless

2009-04-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am without words on describing how amazing I feel when I think about you!
Your presence is so powerful and wonderful at the same time, and I know I’ve seen your expression change broadly in different photos.
Oh, what I would do just to get down to Key West and meet you! I always feel so anxious and have a sense of longing, as if you might disappear someday.
I have never in my whole life had such a great respect for a….well; I suppose the “d” word is not respectful enough to describe you.
I’ve seen videos people have taken, messing around and calling you fake, it’s then that I become furious.
But there will always be non-believers!
I do have a question that needs answering……
I know that we must ask before we take pictures of you, so, how do we know if you reply “yes” or “no”?
I would in no way want to upset you, but I don’t know how to tell.
You have a sweetness and a creepiness that intrigues me to the bone.
I hope things are very comfortable inside that lonely glass case.
Especially at night!
Thank you for taking the time,

Always and Forever
Kathryn

Robert DOES Have An Aura

2008-07-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

During the Atlantic Paranormal Society Convention in Clearwater, Florida, Aura Maven, Sandy Duveau took Robert's picture (after asking) and it was discovered he DOES have an aura. Something objects are not supposed to have. To see the image she took go to Robert's web site.
www.robertthedoll.org

Robert Makes The News

2008-07-28T08:07:00.001-07:00

Robert was the hot topic on BayNews9.com
To see his news video copy the following url into your address bar:
http://www.baynews9.com/VideoPlayer/?arc/Robert_The_Doll_072208

Robert at the Atlantic Paranormal Society’s convention in Clearwater

2008-07-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Robert left Key West to go to the Atlantic Paranormal Society’s convention in Clearwater, FL. The convention is now over and Robert is on his way home.
Did you see him there? Did anything weird happen? Will you come see him again?
He will be back to Key West soon and would like to hear from you!