Potter's Wax Museum, St. Augustine

Potter’s Wax Museum is a fascinating attraction. Visitors have the unique opportunity to see over 160 wax sculptures, which cover a wide range of real and fictitious figures. The museum was established by George L. Potter in 1948 and is the first wax museum in the United States.

George Potter had a passion for wax work since he was a child. During a family trip to London, he visited Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and was fascinated by the lifelike figures. Later in his adulthood, he made a small fortune in real estate and the rental market, which enabled him to live out his dream of bringing wax work to America. After studying the market in St. Augustine, he chose a location at the corner of King Street and A1A (San Marcos Ave) to establish the museum. Gems London Wax Studio was contracted for the construction of the initial collection.

For many years, the museum was operated under the name "Potter's International Hall of Fame." Guided tours were provided to give visitors an account of the lives of the persons represented by the wax figures.

Upon Potter's death in 1979, the museum was maintained by his family until 1986. Unfortunately, his family did not share his passion for wax works and sold off much of the museum and its collection. The core collection of about 150 figures was purchased by the former curator, Dottie White, who reopened the museum at its King Street location in 1987. Over the next two decades, the museum underwent several makeovers and renovations.