Pals of the Merman
There are at least seven "Fiji Mermaids" still in existence, relics of P.T. Barnum's special brand of 19th century showmanship. You can probably find some of these imprisoned in a Ripley's franchise somewhere. The Merman at the Arkansas Alligator Farm, Hot Springs, Arkansas is one of the largest of the breed.
The Merman of Tombstone
Birdcage Theater, Tombstone, Arizona
Tiny, compared to the one in Arkansas. Been there a long time; may have been originally donated by a Chinese businessman in 1934. In a case with a blow fish.
Barnum Museum Merman
Bridgeport, Connecticut
An artist's reproduction of the original "Feejee Mermaid," created for a TV documentary. Part of a collection that includes a fragment of Noah's Ark, Tom Thumb's furniture and wedding certificate. Very historical.
Beloved Merman of Delaware
Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes, Delaware
Lewes is a very special town. "We give people the best exhibits on the maritime history of Sussex County, but they want to see the merman. We could never take it off display." This merman is about a foot long. It was given to a prominent local family by by an old sea captain. They didn't know what to do with it, so they loaned it to the museum in 1941. When the last family member died in 1985, the museum raised $250 in donations and bought the merman. [More]
Voodoo Merman
Madam Laveau's Voodoo Shop, New Orleans, Louisiana
Right on Bourbon Street. A small "mermaid" resides in a glass case near the cash register. Some cool displays in the back room of voodoo as practised in Haiti, Africa, etc., along with brightly painted devil statues and the usual gris gris bags, roots and potions.
The MerFamily
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Seattle, Washington
Distant relatives, a full family that includes a Mermaid, Mer-baby and a dog named "Petri-Fido."
Special Friends
The Alligator Man
Still good friends, but the romance is over. The Alligator Man resides in Marsh's Free Museum, Long Beach, Washington, across the street from the World's Largest Fry Pan, and near the World's Longest Drivable Beach.
Olaf the Giant
Hulking Norseman in a long glass case -- another sideshow legacy. Was on display at the Fantastic Museum, which moved to Sisters, OR, from Redmond .. then mysteriously disappeared!
9-foot Tall Arabian Giantess
Last seen in a trailer at the gigantic weekly farmers market and auction in Englishtown, New Jersey (50 cents a peek) in the 1970s. A tinny loudspeaker grimly enticed: "To see the look of horror on her face, one knows that she must have died a HORRIBLE DEATH." Where, oh where, is she now? Update: Tipster Kelly found an account of an Arabian Giantess, part of West Coast Shows' traveling sideshow properties. The giantess was stolen as a prank by some electricians at the Arizona State Fair, found on a golf course, misidentified as a victim of foul play, and hauled away for the coroner to examine. This happened "years ago."