A 13-year-old kid started a monster museum in 1966, and it’s still going strong 60 years later. Even better, that same kid still runs it today.
He grew up to become a Hollywood makeup artist and sculptor.
Inside, life-size figures of Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Mummy stand in movie-style sets. Many of their heads come from life-casts of the real actors.
That means you’re looking at faces shaped from the actual stars.
I love that this place lives in Connecticut, far from any studio backlot. It feels like a secret only true monster fans would know about.
I believe that kind of passion is rare, and it shows in every corner.
There’s also a real E.T. from the famous bike scene. So how does a small-town museum end up holding pieces of movie history like that?
A Teenager Built It, And He Never Stopped
Most kids collect baseball cards. Cortlandt Hull opened The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum in 1966, when he was only 13.
His whole family pitched in to make it real. His father, Robert Hull, helped build the original Swiss chalet-style building and background sets.
His mother, Dorothea Hull, was a professional Broadway costume designer. She recreated many of the detailed costumes the monsters still wear.
His uncle, Louis Gagnon, took care of the electrical work. That’s a family project with serious skill behind it.
The museum first opened in Bristol, Connecticut. It later moved to its current home in Plainville, opening there around 2019.
Sixty years later, the museum celebrated its big anniversary in 2026. Few teen hobbies last that long, and even fewer earn national attention.
Hull grew up to work as a Hollywood makeup artist and special effects sculptor. So the kid who loved monsters became one of the people who makes them.
Knowing that backstory changes how the figures feel. They aren’t store-bought decorations.
They’re tributes built by someone who has studied these films for most of his life.
The Faces Staring Back Came From The Real Stars
Here’s a detail that gives fans goosebumps. Many of the figures’ heads are based on life-casts of the actual actors.
A life-cast is a mold taken right from a person’s face. That’s why these monsters look so true to the original films.
Boris Karloff appears as Frankenstein’s Monster. Bela Lugosi stands tall as Count Dracula, cape and all.
Lon Chaney Jr. shows up as Kharis the Mummy. Lon Chaney Sr. is here too, as Erik from The Phantom of the Opera.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon honors Ricou Browning, who played the role underwater. That’s a nice nod to a performer many people never knew by name.
Each figure is meant as a tribute to both actors and effects artists. The museum cares about giving credit to everyone who built these legends.
In 1992, Universal Studios granted the museum rights to use its classic monster likenesses. Support came from Vincent Price, Mark Hamill, and the Karloff, Lugosi, and Chaney families.
Bring someone who grew up on late-night creature features. They’ll probably need a minute to take it all in.
Vincent Price Gets Not One, But Two Spotlights
Vincent Price fans, you’re in luck. The museum features him twice, which seems only fair for a horror legend with that voice.
One figure shows Price as Professor Henry Jarrod from House of Wax. Fittingly, it’s a wax museum villain living inside a museum of figures.
The other shows him as The Abominable Dr. Phibes. That role mixed creepy style with dark humor, a combo Price did better than almost anyone.
Price also supported the museum in getting rights from Universal Studios in 1992. His connection here goes deeper than a pair of displays.
The tour includes narration by Vincent Price too. Hearing that famous voice while standing near his likeness adds a real chill.
Tours usually run between 30 and 45 minutes. That’s long enough to enjoy the stories without your legs getting tired.
A tip for photo lovers: pictures are allowed, but flash isn’t. Plan to keep your camera steady in the moody lighting.
Honestly, the low light is part of the fun. Nobody wants Dr. Phibes looking like he’s posing at the DMV.
Yes, That E.T. Is The Real Deal
Not every treasure here has fangs. One of the biggest surprises is a screen-used E.T. from the bicycle riding sequence.
It’s believed to be the only one of its kind still around. Think about that next time you watch that bike lift off into the moonlit sky.
The museum also holds a rare Linda Blair headpiece from The Exorcist. It was made by Oscar-winning makeup artist Dick Smith.
The prop collection keeps going from there. You’ll find pieces tied to Raiders of the Lost Ark, Planet of the Apes, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
There’s even something from Mars Attacks. That movie’s goofy alien style makes a fun contrast with the serious gothic monsters.
Posters, masks, and signed memorabilia round out the displays. These items show the real work behind the magic on screen.
Fans of makeup, costumes, and special effects will find plenty to study. You can see the artistry up close in ways a movie screen never allows.
For a museum this size, that’s a remarkable lineup. It proves big treasures can live in small rooms.
The Lighting Alone Deserves A Round Of Applause
Great monsters need great shadows. At The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum, the lighting was designed by Emmy Award-winning Bill Diamond.
That professional touch makes each scene feel like a frozen moment from a film. The goal is simple: make you feel like you’re standing on a classic movie set.
The background sets and costumes are true to the era. Some costumes and props are even originals that appeared in real films.
Disney fans get a treat as well. Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty joins the lineup, looking every bit as grand as you’d hope.
Then there’s Zenobia the Gypsy Witch, an original character. She was voiced by June Foray, the famous voice actress behind many cartoon favorites.
Every scene invites you to slow down and notice the details. Fabric, backdrops, and lighting all work together like a film crew planned it.
Since flash photography isn’t allowed, the lighting stays just as the designers intended. Your photos may even turn out more dramatic that way.
It’s the kind of setup that makes a regular evening feel like a double feature.
Your Tour Guide Might Be The Founder Himself
Visits here are guided tours, which makes everything more personal. Cortlandt Hull often leads them and shares stories about the collection.
That’s a big deal. You’re hearing about these pieces from the person who sculpted, gathered, and cared for them for decades.
Hull’s work in film makeup and special effects shapes the whole experience. He knows the craft from the inside, not just from watching movies.
The museum puts real focus on the artists behind the scenes. Makeup, costume design, props, and filmmaking all get their moment.
Kids curious about movie magic could learn plenty here. Just note that the museum isn’t recommended for children under seven.
The space is wheelchair accessible, which is helpful to know before you go. The tour moves at an easy pace through the exhibits.
Got questions about a favorite film? A guided tour is the perfect chance to ask.
It feels less like a lecture and more like a movie buff sharing his best stories. Those stories are what turn displays into memories you’ll want to retell on the drive home.
Plan Ahead, Because The Monsters Keep Night Hours
Monsters aren’t morning people, and this museum’s schedule proves it. It’s open year-round on weekend evenings.
Hours are typically Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday run from 3 to 9 p.m.
You’ll find it at 103 E Main St, Plainville, CT 06062. That makes it an easy add-on to a weekend outing in central Connecticut.
Tours are booked online, so pick your time slot in advance. It’s a small operation, and grabbing a reservation saves you from guessing.
Schedules can change for events or travel. Double-check before heading out, especially if you’re driving a long way.
Since tours last about 30 to 45 minutes, you’ll have time for dinner nearby afterward. A spooky tour followed by a warm meal sounds like a solid night.
Arriving a little early is smart, too. A small museum with guided tours can run on a tight rhythm.
Evening hours also add to the mood. Leaving a horror museum after dark feels just right, like the credits rolling on an old fright flick.
Fresh Exhibits Give Longtime Fans A Reason To Return
Already been once? Good news, because the museum doesn’t stay frozen in time.
As of October 2026, there are newly redesigned exhibit spaces. They feature pieces that have never been displayed before.
That’s exciting for a collection with this much history. Even repeat visitors get something new to discover.
The museum also dresses up for seasons. The owner has mentioned a Dracula’s Valentine theme in February.
There’s a Monsters Holiday celebration too. The classic creatures get decked out for the season from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s weekend.
Picture Frankenstein’s Monster in a festive mood. Okay, maybe don’t picture it too hard, just go see it.
Seasonal themes make this a fun tradition for families and friends. A spring visit and a winter visit could feel like two different shows.
Fans who love the holidays and the horror genre finally get both at once. It’s a cozy kind of creepy that’s hard to find anywhere else in Connecticut.
Keep an eye on the museum’s announcements for upcoming themes. Timing your trip right could add an extra layer of fun.
Sixty Years Of Fame Started In A Small Town
For a small museum, the guest list of media coverage is huge. The New York Times, National Geographic, and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! have all featured it.
It also appeared on TV shows like Entertainment Tonight and Good Morning America. Not bad for a project that began with a 13-year-old.
In 1996, Entertainment Tonight noted it as the longest-running exhibit of its kind in the country. That’s a title earned through decades of steady passion.
Hollywood names lent support along the way. Vincent Price and Mark Hamill helped the museum gain rights to Universal’s classic monster likenesses.
The families of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, and Lon Chaney backed the effort too. Their support shows how much respect the museum earned.
The Witch’s Dungeon Classic Movie Museum still carries that mission today. It keeps the golden age of horror and sci-fi alive for new generations.
I think that’s the real magic here. It’s a love letter to the artists who scared and thrilled audiences long before computer effects.
Classic monsters deserve a home like this. Lucky for us, they found one.
