When I first heard about the Sasquatch Museum in Blue Ridge, I actually thought it was a joke. But when Nate, our seventeen-year-old grandson, spent Spring Break week with us, we decided to go on a Bigfoot Expedition.
We’re glad we did.
The Bigfoot Legend
Almost every country in the world has observed a large, unidentified man-like creature. And the stories of these sightings go back generations. There are Yetis in the Himalaya mountains, the Yowies in Australia, the Yeren of China, the El Cuatlacas in Mexico, the Almas of Russia, the Skunk Apes in Florida, and the Momos in Missouri. In this part of the south, especially in Georgia, we talk about Bigfoot and Sasquatch.
The Smithsonian Magazine points out that “the appeal of the mythical, wild man holds strong.” The magazine shares that the first sighting that brought these creatures to the public was over 60 years ago. The Humboldt Times in Northern California ran a story about construction workers who found what looked to be human footprints that were 16 inches long. Because of the size of the footprints, the paper called the creature “Bigfoot.”
The Smithsonian Magazine article also notes that the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization has recorded at least one sighting of a Bigfoot in every state in the US, except Hawaii, in the past 20 years. In the article dated September 2018, the latest reported sighting was listed in Florida in June of the same year. Paleontologist Darren Naish points out, “Interest in the existence of the creature is at an all-time high. There’s nothing even close to compelling as does the evidence.”
Museum Founder Richard Bakara
Richard Bakara traces his love for all things Bigfoot to seeing the 1972 movie The Legend of Boggy Creek. Bakara is a long-time Bigfoot researcher and a member of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization, which describes itself as “the only scientific research organization exploring the bigfoot/sasquatch mystery.” The site keeps an updated listing of Bigfoot sightings, including three this April
Bakara and his wife Malinda actually had their own Bigfoot sighting while living in Florida. When they relocated to Georgia, they decided to open a family-friendly museum and research center focusing on the elusive creature. The museum opened in 2016 and is a 4,000-square foot facility that features a reference library, displayed newspaper stories, and genuine Sasquatch articles collected over the years. Most of the major experts and researchers in the field have shared artifacts with the museum as well.
Exploring the museum
The museum is interactive and totally immerses the visitor in all things Bigfoot. Several documentaries run continuously in the museum, explaining the Bigfoot mystery. One area provides headphones to listen to recordings made of Bigfoots communicating. Displays throughout the museum offer purported evidence and provide information about global sightings.
One of the most interesting things we saw was the map of Bigfoot sightings in Georgia. According to Bakara, Bigfoot can be seen everywhere. Almost every day, he meets someone at the museum who has had a Bigfoot sighting but never told anyone.
All the details to visit
The museum suggests planning to spend 45 minutes to an hour viewing its exhibits. However, if you’re one of those who wants to read everything as you go, schedule more time.
Expedition Bigfoot is located six miles south of Blue Ridge, Georgia, at 1934 Hwy 515. The museum is open daily (except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s) from 10 am – 5 pm. The last visitors are admitted at 4:30 pm.
Admission is $8.00 for adults (13 years old and older) and $6.00 for children (ages 5-12). Children under 5 are admitted free, as are active members of the military with their military ID.
Nate’s final opinion
My husband, Bob, and I could tell Nate had really gotten into the museum when he started taking photos with his phone. After we left, I asked Nate if the museum had convinced him of the reality of Bigfoot. He shared that he thought the museum exhibits are extremely convincing but still wants to see a Bigfoot in person before accepting it completely.
The museum definitely provides a thoughtful presentation. Regardless of what you decide about Bigfoot’s existence, you’ll be entertained in the process.
