Robert the Doll
Robert the Doll is known as the world’s most haunted doll. He lives in an old Civil War fort & museum in Key West, Florida, ranked one of the most haunted destinations in America.
Here’s how you can experience Robert the Doll in Key West or from the safety of your own home.
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Meet Robert the Doll
Meet Robert the Doll after dark and learn his true history on a ghost tour through his haunted fort & museum.
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Shop Official Merch
Robert the Doll’s Key West museum store is overflowing with Robert the Doll gifts to freak out your loved ones.
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Learn the Truth About Robert
The biography of Robert the Doll reveals Key West’s haunted doll’s true history and origin story.
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Drink Robert's Red Rum
Robert the Doll’s Red Rum is now available shipped to your door or at Key West First Legal Rum Distillery.
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Sleep With Robert the Doll
Sleep in the house turned haunted hotel where Robert the Doll lived for more than 70 years.
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Visit the Otto Family Graves
See the grave of Robert’s constant companion - Eugene Otto - in the Key West Cemetery.
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Robert the Doll YouTube
Watch interesting videos of Robert the Doll and see him in action on the Ghost Key West YouTube Channel.
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Apologize to Robert the Doll
Did Robert curse you? Send an apology letter to Robert the Doll care of Fort East Martello.
Robert the Doll Frequently Asked Questions
No visit to Key West is complete without visiting Robert the Doll. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the world’s most haunted doll.
Who is Robert the Doll? Robert the Doll is a haunted doll that lives in Key West, Florida. He was created by the Steiff Company around 1904 and given as a gift to a Key West boy who developed an unusual relationship with the toy. Some theories suggest Robert the Doll was created with voodoo.
What does Robert the Doll do? Some of the earliest reports of Robert the Doll doing things that most dolls don’t do emerged in the late 1940s when children in Key West saw Robert the Doll moving in the window of the Otto family home at 534 Eaton Street. People have seen Robert move on his own, laugh, and throw objects across the room through the years. Ghost Hunt guests at the Fort East Martello have seen Robert’s chest move as if he is breathing and felt an unknown entity touching their knee. Cold chills and orbs move about Robert’s room at times.
Is Robert the Doll really haunted? Robert receives daily letters from people who had a paranormal experience with him. Visitors to Fort East Martello regularly report strange encounters to the staff as well.
Where does Robert the Doll live? Robert the Doll lives in an old, haunted Key West Civil War fort known as the Fort East Martello Museum. He is protected by a plexiglass case and receives hundreds of visitors each week. The Fort East Martello Museum is operated by the Key West Art & Historical Society and is located beside the ocean in Key West at 3501 South Roosevelt Blvd.
How does Robert the Doll give permission? Robert does not give permission. This is an often-repeated legend that has no basis, in fact. People who experience problems with Robert are usually disrespectful. Asking for permission from an entity is a bad idea.
How does Robert the Doll curse you? People who disrespect Robert the Doll report days, weeks, or months of mechanical problems, accidents, strange occurrences, and misfortune. Some people end up with lost luggage. Others report being struck by lightning.
Does Robert the Doll kill? Though it is rare for a death to be attributed to Robert the Doll, it has happened. A Key West ghost tour guide had the image of Robert the Doll tattooed on his arm and died shortly after it was completed.
Why does everyone say sorry to Robert the Doll? The trend of #SorryRobert evolved from the false belief that Robert the Doll does not like to have his picture taken and that you must ask permission before looking at his photo.
Is Chucky based on Robert the Doll? No. Robert was around long before Chucky, but Chucky was based on the My Buddy Doll.
Where do I send a letter to Robert the Doll? Send apologies, well-wishes, and other letters to Robert at: Robert the Doll, 3501 S. Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, FL 33040.
How can I see Robert the Doll? You can see Robert the Doll in the daytime or experience him after dark on an intimate lockdown or ghost hunt. Fort East Martello Museum is open most days from 10 am to 5 pm. Ghost Key West offers Key West Ghost Tours and VIP lockdowns most nights after the sun goes down. (ghostkeywest.com). The Ghosts & Gravestones Trolley does not bring people to the fort to see Robert the Doll. Sloan’s Ghost Fort Adventures is the only ghost tour in Key West that includes a visit with Robert the Doll.