One of British Columbia’s most renowned — and most eerie — tourist spots, the Royal London Wax Museum, permanently closed its doors in 2010.
Originally established at Crystal Pool, the museum started with 60 wax figures until it eventually moved to the steamship terminals in Victoria’s picturesque Inner Harbour. It had been a staple attraction for 50 years.
The original Madame Tussaud’s wax museum was founded in London in 1835 by French wax sculptor Marie Tussaud; however, according to Ken Lane, the former general manager, the Victoria museum was part of a separate group of wax museums established by Tussaud’s great-great-granddaughter.
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On the Facebook group Old Victoria BC (a dedicated page to sharing old photos of Victoria), commenters shared their fond memories (and nightmares) of the old wax museum.
“My mother use to clean the wax museum at night,” said Louisa Curvelo “… if I had been acting up as a teenager she would make me go to work with her there! [One time], I was left in the chamber of horrors one evening.”
“I started as a guide and loved talking about Henry VIII and his wives and have been interested in English royal history ever since,” said Lucille Campbell. “[I] used to sit in the Jack and the Beanstalk exhibit and pretend to be a wax figure.”
It’s an exhibit that holds a lot of memories for people who grew up in Victoria.
So, take a stroll down memory lane below with some of the most iconic, or infamous, wax figures:
Sports legends Babe Ruth (left) and Gordie Howe (right)/Greater Vancouver Parks
Canadian icon Terry Fox (left) and Marilyn Monroe (right)/Greater Vancouver Parks
Walt Disney (left) and John Wayne (right)/Greater Vancouver Parks
Queen Victoria (right) Ted Czolowski/Old Victoria BC
Do you have any fond memories or photos from the Royal London Wax Museum? Share them with us by email: [email protected]
Editors note: This article has been updated with current information