The Skeptiseum

The Skeptiseum Located within the Center For Inquiry, this collection of historical artifacts deals with topics in fringe-science, religion, and the paranormal.

The Skeptiseum evolved from the personal collection of science writer and investigator Joe Nickell who, in mid-1995, became Senior Research Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) -- located at the Center For Inquiry in Amherst, New York. Nickell's collecting continued and soon outgrew his office - which had begun to resemble a curio shop, with Bigfoot-track casts, spirit trumpets, and

snake-oil bottes. It expanded into several display cases in the CFI Libraries reading room; still later, additional, larger cases were installed outside Nickell's office-lab area, along with storage cabinets. In 2001, CSI opened a website under the name Nickell had begun to call his collection: The Skeptiseum, a contraction for Skeptical Museum (of the Paranormal and Pseudoscience). This made it possible for people around the world to see and use the collection, which over the years has helped illustrate student papers, magazine articles, books, and television shows. It has loaned displays to other museums and has been featured twice on the Travel Channel's "Mysteries at the Museum" television program.

11/22/2014

Our descriptions have recently been updated! Expect the launch of our new digital museum soon!

05/12/2014

Ongoing improvements and finishing of artifact descriptions continues throughout the end of this month. Be sure to follow us on Twitter for a daily dose of skeptical fun!

04/02/2014

Did you fall for any April Fool's tricks yesterday? If so, be sure to check out some of our exhibits (like the Hall of Superstition and Luck) to prepare for next year!

03/26/2014

Have you seen us on Twitter yet? Follow us for updates on artifacts, fun historical facts, highlighted collections, and information about small museums!

03/18/2014

Vote for our featured artifact next week!

A - Shrunken Head
B - Patent Medicine Bottle
C - Antique Spirit Trumpet

Post in the comments to cast your vote, and check our Twitter feed on Monday (3/24) to view the winner.

03/18/2014

Our digital transformation is finally complete!

Stay tuned for more information about when our brand new Omeka interface is ready for public viewing. 366 digitized artifacts are ready and waiting to be seen by patrons!

03/07/2014

Our digital display transformation (via Omeka software) has been completed! We're just waiting on a few more finishing touches, and then we will be officially open for digital patronage.

Be sure to check back here (or follow us on Twitter ) for updates on the status of our grand re-opening!

03/02/2014

The Hall of World Religions and Mythologies is completed, along with the Hall of Relics and Miracles. Two more to go until this transformation is completed!

02/22/2014

To promote (and celebrate) the near-conclusion of our transformation from a web page with a gallery-style layout to a slick, flashy Omeka display, The Skeptiseum has officially started up its' online presence! Stay tuned here and on Twitter for updates on completion of the new site, as well as newly added items and collections! And don't forget to tell your friends!

Address

Amherst, NY
14228

Telephone

+17166361427

Website

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