Blog Post

World’s First Mermaid Museum, world record in Berlin, Maryland

February 3, 2024

Berlin, Maryland, United States--Occupying 2,200 square meters in Berlin, Maryland, United States, The Mermaid Museum (founder Alyssa Maloof), highlights the history of Mermaids by displaying artefacts and artwork; the museum is part history, part lore, and part treasure trove of oddities, setting the world record for being the World’s First Mermaid Museum, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

Photos: Facebook/The Mermaid Museum

"In the heart of Downtown Berlin, Maryland USA. A magical place awaits you," The Mermaid Museum says.

"Hear, see, and touch everything Mermaid at The Mermaid Museum. Just 9 miles from the sea. The gift shop will be stocking mermaid tails!

"See you in March 2024. Closed for the season! Closed Jan 1-March 30."

"Famous for being the filming location of Runaway Bride and once named “America’s Coolest Small Town” (among numerous other accolades over the years), historic Berlin is now home to the world’s first mermaid museum," the Maryland Road Trips says.

"The Maryland collection, which opened at 4 Jefferson Street on March 27, is part history, part lore, and part treasure trove of oddities, such as the mermaid-shaped Cheeto, “the museum’s most prized artifact.”

"Museum owner Alyssa Maloof, who also works as a local photographer, grew up near Salisbury and moved to Berlin in 2018. She transformed her studio space last July, hoping to draw in more visitors to the town."

"The museum is an attraction in the picturesque town, which is only 9 miles (approx. 14 km) from the sea. Occupying 2,200 square metres in a classic townhouse, it highlights the history of Mermaids by displaying artefacts and artwork. The founder is Alyssa Maloof. Maloof, an artist and photographer, came up with the idea to found the museum when she could no longer open her photography studio during Corona," the Alethea Magazine says.

"In myths or fairy tales, mermaids are strong but also vulnerable creatures who can only be freed from their fate by the love of a human consort. The most beautiful fairy tales are dedicated to her, like Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" or the greatest poets like Oscar Wilde honoured her with "The Fisherman and his Soul".

"Six of the walls of the museum's space are dedicated to tracking Mermaid sightings from the first century AD to 2017. It also houses "Mermaid scales" discovered on the Isle of Wight and a Feejee Mermaid. Objects that reference popular culture can also be found such as "Dinglehopper" from Disney's Little Mermaid to the 1984 Tom Hanks film "Splash"; "Splash", by the way, was one of the inspirations of founder Alyssa Maloof."

"In the heart of Downtown Berlin, MD. A magical place awaits you. Hear, see, and touch everything Mermaid. Just 9 miles from Assateague Island.," the Visit Maryland says.

"Definitely an interesting experience. Not something that will take mote than 30 minutes It's basically a small room filled with mermaid exhibits, namely Is sculptures, paintings, and a video. Many of the sculptures and paintings feature exposed breasts. An interesting experience but $11 seems a little high.

"Delightful, take advantage of all the little activities to get your money’s worth - contest, display making, graffiti, photo shoots. Everything from historical info to a Cheeto shaped like a Mermaid. Owner & staff very friendly, even welcomed our little dog!"

"Berlin, Maryland was once named America’s Coolest Small Town in a national contest, and now there’s a new cool thing to see: the East Coast’s first Mermaid Museum just opened on the town’s main street," the Chesapeake Bay Magazine says.

"Among the curiosities inside, you’ll find an authentic Fiji Mermaid, that mythical half monkey-half fish said to have been caught off the coast of Fiji and shown off by PT Barnum sideshows. There’s art and cultural artifacts, and even an uncanny mermaid-shaped Cheeto.

"Maloof says in addition to the main attractions, there are other hidden gems tucked into the museum that you might not find on the first visit. “But if you look closely you will find peeks into other worlds,” she tells us."

"Welcome to the world’s first Mermaid Museum, located in the heart of downtown Berlin, MD.

"On the second floor of an historic Odd Fellows building on Berlin’s Main street, this new member of the society of weird museums focuses on the mythical mermaid," the Berlin MD Chamber of Commerce says.

"The Mermaid Museum moves gently between legend, myth, fact, and fiction and provides a mystical environment."

"In the historic town of Berlin, Maryland, close to Assateague Island is a beautiful upstairs museum directly next to the Atlantic Hotel," the Atlas Obscura says.

"The museum has a wonderfully curated collection of mermaid myths and artifacts. A display of mermaid scales, hair, and nails can be found inside. There is also a timeline of mermaid sightings from the 1800s."

"The very first visitors to the museum describe the experience as something really magical. Inside this unique museum, mermaid lovers will find an authentic Fiji mermaid," the West OC Real Estate says.

"The Fiji mermaid is a mythical half-monkey half-fish that is said to have been caught off the coast of Fiji and shown off by the PT Barnum sideshows at the circus. In addition to fun and rare artifacts, of which there are plenty, there is also art and even a fun and odd display of a mermaid-shaped Cheeto cheese puff chip.

"The owner of this fun mystical mermaid museum in Berlin Maryland is Alyssa Maloof. Her goal was to create a space where people could be in an enchanting environment and learn something about why mermaids are so enduring and how the myth has come to be and continue throughout all of the cultures around the world."

"In the depths of downtown Berlin, Maryland, tourists and locals alike can dive into one of the ocean’s greatest mysteries: The Mermaid Museum is a historical exploration and artistic appreciation of the culture surrounding the mythical aquatic creatures. The world’s first museum dedicated to mermaids opened this spring in the small Maryland town, which is about 10 miles inland from Ocean City," the Washingtonian says.

"The museum is housed in a 2,200 square feet room on the second floor of a historic downtown building. There are six walls filled with information about recorded sightings of mermaids dating back to the first century to as recently as 2017 and depictions of mermaids in art.

"Owner Alyssa Maloof is a long-time artist and photographer. The room first functioned as her photo studio, but she saw more potential for it. “We’re close to the ocean, and it’s just this grand big space with windows all around, high ceilings,” she says. “You see all the tourists walking around, and you’re like they need to come up into the space and experience the space, and then it just came to me to have a mermaid museum.”

"The Mermaid Museum is full of fascinating oddities, artifacts, and more. See different ways that mermaids have been depicted throughout the years," the Only In Your State says.

"Don't forget to sit in the tub and pose for a picture. Of course, kids are very into this......as are adults. Who wouldn't want to be a mermaid for a day?!

"Interested in visiting? This spot is open six days a week from 11-5 (closed Mondays). Admission is $11 per person."