![Potter's Wax Museum, St. Augustine](/img/gd_attr/60781.jpg)
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.
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.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in St. Augustine. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Potter's Wax Museum on Map
Sight Name: Potter's Wax Museum
Sight Location: St. Augustine, USA (See walking tours in St. Augustine)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: St. Augustine, USA (See walking tours in St. Augustine)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in St. Augustine, Florida
Create Your Own Walk in St. Augustine
Creating your own self-guided walk in St. Augustine is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
St. Augustine Introduction Walking Tour
The charming city of St. Augustine is situated on the Atlantic coast of northeastern Florida, where two rivers and a lagoon meet at St. Augustine Inlet. Famous as the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is a historical town that boasts plenty of intriguing places to explore.
Pedro Menendez de Aviles, a Spanish explorer, founded the city in 1565. After first sighting land in Florida... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Pedro Menendez de Aviles, a Spanish explorer, founded the city in 1565. After first sighting land in Florida... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
St. Augustine's Historical Houses Tour
A great deal of St. Augustine's storied past is set in stone in the form of houses that have been inhabited for over 400 years. The number of historic homes found in the city offer a glimpse into its colorful culture with European roots.
Among the most notable of them is the Ximenez-Fatio House. Built in 1798, originally as a boarding place for wealthy travelers, today this property serves... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Among the most notable of them is the Ximenez-Fatio House. Built in 1798, originally as a boarding place for wealthy travelers, today this property serves... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
St. Augustine Early Settlements Tour
The city of St. Augustine on the northeastern coast of Florida is considered the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States. It was founded by Spanish explorer Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles on September 8, 1565, and served as the capital of Spanish Florida for more than 200 years.
One of the most significant early European sites in the city is the Castillo de San... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
One of the most significant early European sites in the city is the Castillo de San... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles