The Museum of Death, a globally recognized institution dedicated to the subject of death, was established in June 1995 by JD Healy and Cathee Shultz. Their mission was to address the lack of education on death in the United States, dedicating their lives to this endeavor.
Originating from the controversial Rita Dean art gallery, the museum’s first location was within San Diego’s inaugural mortuary, a building previously owned by Wyatt Earp. Today, it has branches in Hollywood, California, and New Orleans, Louisiana, showcasing the largest collection of serial killer artwork, historical funeral items, tools used by morticians and coroners, memorabilia related to the Manson Family, pet death taxidermy, crime scene photos, and much more. Each museum location offers a distinct experience without any replicas or duplicates among their exhibits and artifacts.
Visitors can explore the Museum of Death through a self-guided tour, which typically lasts between 45 minutes and an hour. However, guests who feel comfortable may linger to view the hundreds of items on display for as long as they wish. To fully experience the museum, it is recommended to arrive at least an hour before closing.
While the Museum of Death welcomes all ages, given that death impacts everyone, it is specifically advised for a mature audience. The content in some exhibits might be overly graphic or explicit for young children, who must be accompanied by an adult to gain entry. Over the years, the intensity of the exhibits has led to several instances of visitors fainting, humorously referred to as “falling down ovations,” prompting a word of caution for those planning a visit.
Museum of Death History
Founded in the summer of 1995 by J. D. Healy and Catherine Shultz, the Museum of Death, located on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles and also in New Orleans, embarked on a distinctive mission to foster an appreciation for life among its visitors. The institution originally took shape in San Diego within what was believed to be the city’s first mortuary. What began as a personal project for Healy and Shultz, involving exchanges with infamous serial killers and displaying their correspondents’ artworks in an annual exhibit, eventually evolved into a more structured establishment due to the growing collection of exhibits.
The museum’s profile significantly rose in late 1999 when Healy and Shultz aimed to secure an extensive array of items from the Heaven’s Gate cult’s mass suicides, intending to authentically recreate the scene. This ambition captured widespread media attention and resulted in their eviction by their landlord, prompting a move to Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.
The site in Los Angeles that the museum now occupies was once home to Westbeach Recorders and, before that, Producers Studio, a place known for its recording sessions with legendary bands, including Pink Floyd. The space, originally designed with soundproofing for recordings, now offers a quiet acoustic backdrop for the museum’s wide array of exhibits.
Plan a Visit
Discover the renowned Museum of Death nestled in the heart of Hollywood, California. Explore its chilling exhibits seven days a week.
Hours:
- Mondays: 11AM – 8PM;
- Tuesdays:11AM – 8PM;
- Wednesdays: 11AM – 8PM;
- Thursdays: 11AM – 8PM;
- Fridays: 11AM – 8PM;
- Saturdays: 11AM – 8PM;
- Sundays: 11AM – 8PM.
Admission: $20.
Contact Information
Phone: (323) 466-8011
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.museumofdeath.net/