Fort Mitchell, Kentucky -
Vent Haven: Ventriloquist Museum

Vent Haven: Ventriloquist Museum

Do ventriloquist dummies give you the creeps? Then you may want to tell yourself, "They're not going to kill me, they're not going to kill me..." before you visit the thousands of dummies at Vent Haven. Roadsideamerica.com Report...

Vent Haven (Ventriloquist Dummies) museum

Well worth a visit. Tucked very near interstate 71 and 75, south of Cincinnati in a residential area -- only available by prior appointment but appointments are easy/quick during summer months -- one of the strangest places you have seen -- hundreds of ventriloquist dummies and pictures. Takes about 45 minutes for the guided tour. Tour guide lives at the site with her family, and is very knowledgeable. [G. Crum, 08/01/2004]

Vent Haven Museum (Ventriloquist Dummy Museum)

Don't be alarmed if you hear ghostly voices at the Vent Haven in Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky. Today's destination is the home of over more than 500 figures that once spoke, but now sit in silence. Vent Haven Museum houses the largest known collection of ventriloquial material in the world. A "vent" is a ventriloquist -- think Charlie McCarthy and Edger Bergan. If you're a child of the '60s, then think Sherri Lewis and Lambchop.

Vent Haven is the legacy of Northern Kentucky businessman W.S. Berger. After seeing his first ventriloquist in the early 1900s, Berger fell in love with the art form. For the rest of his life, Berger collected vent memorabilia. His collection grew as vents willed their dolls to Berger. Eventually, he obtained almost 500 ventriloquist figures and thousands of artifacts.

Before his death in 1993, Berger set up a trust fund to maintain his collection and allow others to enjoy the history of the craft. In addition to housing the permanent collection, the museum also sponsors an international convention of vents.

The museum is open May 1 through September 31. The tours are by advance appointment and a nominal donation is requested for admission. [Surly Grrl, 12/24/2000]