"We moved about 40,000 books I think that first move, so that one was definitely a lot tougher," said Jeff Whitehouse, one of the hired hands helping with the move. "That took a long time. This one actually was awkward, but easier to move."
Whitehouse is among a group of guys helping Loren Coleman realize his dream - to open the world's first cryptozoology museum here in the heart of Portland.
"One of the great things about going public here is that all kinds of individuals, youth groups, tourists and other researchers from around the country, can come here on Congress Street and enjoy the fruits of 50 years of research in cryptozoology," said Coleman. "This is going to be a focal point now for the scientific establishment and sharing of information on cryptozoology."
Cryptozoology is the study of hidden animals. Loren Coleman has travel across most of the United States in his research on legendary animals like the abominable snowman and larger-than-life sea creatures like Lake Champlain's Champ. His collection was housed in his home and open to outsiders by appointment only. Now, Coleman wants the public to view his collection and learn about cryptozoology in his new museum.
"Well, there is all kinds of different ridicule and laughter and all of that, but the other part of it is that people are really interested in the nature-based, adventure-based part of cryptozoology, understanding that new species are discovered all the time," said Coleman. "I was very interested to know what was it about the yeti that made some people so skeptical and some people into true believers. I'm somewhere in between."
Coleman's goal is to open his museum November 1st in a space that he will share with a bookstore. He hopes the increased exposure will get people thinking. It already has influenced the men helping him make the move.
"Typically I am known as a bigfoot whisperer, but it is not confirmed," joked Jeff Meuse. "It is a big task, but it is definitely is helping him out." Meuse says after moving thousands of books out of storage for Coleman, the real intriguing items were next to be carted away. "Feejee Mermaid. Bigfoot prints. So much stuff, I mean, hair samples from sasquatches," he said as he listed off just some of the items he and his crew were hauling. "It would be hard pressed to say that all of the stuff that he has for the museum will fit in there."
"He definitely is an interesting character, both Bigfoot and Mr. Coleman," stated Whitehouse. "It is definitely something to consider and think about because there is a lot of space on this Earth that has been uncharted and we just don't know."
Credit: paranormal-factor.blogspot.com
