Robert The Doll - Key West, Florida

The case of Robert the Doll doesn’t center around a haunted or scary place so much as a haunted and scary object--Robert.

Sometime in the beginning of the 20th century the wealthy Dr. Otto brought over several slaves from the Bahamas to work in his Key West home. One of the slaves, his or her intentions unknown, made Dr. Otto’s son Robert a doll from wire, cloth, and straw. Robert immediately became immensely attached to his new doll, even giving it his own name of Robert and insisting on being called by his middle name Eugene from there on. Eugene, or Gene as he was now called, became fond of blaming Robert for various misdeeds and troubles he was accused of throughout his childhood. Strange indeed was that Gene was often nowhere near where these boyish offenses occurred and very likely wasn’t to blame.

When of age, Gene went to Paris to study art and met his wife, Anne. After they were married they returned to Gene’s childhood home in Key West and back to Robert. Once again Gene was back with his friend and it soon became clear to Anne that something was amiss with her husband‘s relationship to the old doll. Gene constantly showed affection to Robert, talking to him and even having a special room built in the attic for him that was scaled down to his actual size.

Rumors being to build about the strange doll in the artist’s house. Children reported actually seeing the doll move around on occasions when they’d happened to pass by the house. Many times no one was home when this activity took place and even so, Gene never let anyone go into Robert’s room.

Over the years Gene became increasingly abusive to his wife, flying into rages, shouting at her, and even locking her in a room for hours at a time. When he managed to calm down he insisted, much like in childhood, that it was Robert. Gene’s behavior soon became so unpredictable and out of control that he locked himself away with Robert and soon died.

After his death, his wife Anne moved back to her hometown of Boston and rented out her house in Key West leaving Robert behind. She had a contract drawn up with the strict stipulation that Robert was to be kept, alone, in the attic at all times. Failure to comply with the terms would result in a swift and prompt eviction. This clause remained in effect until her own death in 1976.

People living in what has since been dubbed The Artist’s House have reported many strange occurrences surrounding Robert. Footsteps and noises of objects moving around have been heard coming from the attic. Upon investigation, Robert was found to be in a completely different place than where he was last left. A plumber who was doing some work in the attic one day noticed the doll and thought he was quite creepy looking, but went on with his work. But each time he turned around for a tool, he was certain that the doll had moved a little. When he was finish he started for the stairs to leave when he heard the unmistakable sound of a child laughing. He turned back around but found no child, only Robert who was on the exact opposite side of the room than when the plumber last saw him.

Today Robert resides in the East Martello Museum located on South Roosevelt Boulevard in Key West, Florida. Museum officials claim that even though Robert is kept on display behind glass he still continues to move and change positions. Many people trying to take his picture have found that their previously fresh camera batteries have mysteriously and suddenly been drained. According to psychic investigators, Robert’s soul is dying and he drains the battery power to sustain his own life.

Don’t believe the stories? Why not visit Robert yourself? The museum is open daily and adult admission is only $6. But if you come up short, you could always blame Robert....