Ed Crimi - Owner and Curator of Vampa Museum in Doylestown, PA
My fascination with horror and the paranormal began when I was about 13 or 14 years old, growing up in Brooklyn. I remember listening to my father tell extraordinary stories about his uncle and great-uncle, both of whom were full-time priests and exorcists in Catania, Italy. Those stories sparked a fascination with the supernatural that has stayed with me throughout my life.
2. Did you always think a full time museum was the right venue for your subjects? How did you come up with the name VAMPA?
My daughter Francesca came up with the name VAMPA while we were searching for a name for the museum. We decided on Vampire Art Museum of Paranormal Activity, which later also evolved into Visual Arts Museum of Paranormal Antiquities. I was excited about creating the museum, not only as a place to share my passion for the supernatural but also as a stepping stone toward ministry work, which has now become an important part of what we do.
3. Do you prefer the Halloween season over the rest of the year?
Not necessarily. I enjoy it because people tend to be more interested during that time of year, but personally, I love all the seasons.
4. Is there another genre or subject like murder mystery that you are interested in?
I’m more interested in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience because I believe that understanding the human condition requires exploring the connection between spirituality, psychology, and neuroscience.
5. When did you first decide to make vampires the central subject of your museum’s exhibits?
About five years ago, I realized that my extensive collection of vampire-related art and antiquities had grown to the point where I wanted to share it with the public. That was when I decided to make vampires the central focus of the museum.
6. Do you do any props or production and mask making yourself?
No, we don’t do that. However, we do rent out some of the magnificent objects from our collection for use on movie sets.
7. Do you believe viewers need to horror fans in order to enjoy your work?
Absolutely not. We are an academic art museum that explores the age-old battle between good and evil. People are fascinated by the mystery, history, and deeper meaning behind this timeless struggle.
8. Why do you think horror books and movies remain so popular?
I believe our fascination with vampires also has a neurological and psychological connection, which helps explain why they have remained so popular throughout history. At the heart of it is our fear of death, the concept of memento mori, the reminder that we are all mortal. Vampires, on the other hand, represent the possibility of immortality, something that has fascinated humanity for centuries.
9. Why do you think that people are obsessed with learning something new about classic films like Dracula or Nosferatu?
Films like Dracula and Nosferatu are beautifully made and visually captivating. They demonstrate that you don’t need excessive gore or violence to stimulate an audience’s imagination. Their atmosphere, mystery, and artistic qualities continue to fascinate viewers, which is why people remain interested in discovering new details about these classic films.
10. Who inspires you?
Jesus Christ inspires me because of his message and teachings. I also admire Muhammad and Buddha, and I remain open to different religious beliefs and philosophies. Our ministry is founded on the principles of love, compassion, and charity, values that I believe transcend religious boundaries.
11. What are some of your favorite horror books?
I love anything written by Bram Stoker. His work has always fascinated me, particularly the way he combines horror, mystery, and the supernatural.
12. What are some of your favorite horror movies?
Although it’s not a movie, I’ve always loved the television series The Night Stalker. I’m also a fan of just about every Dracula film ever made.
13. What are your current projects?
Some of my current projects include expanding the museum and growing our ministry so we can reach more people, offer greater support, and make a meaningful difference in their lives through love, compassion, and charity.
14. Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your organization’s work.
I have spent much of my life fascinated by art, history, philosophy, psychology, and the mysteries of the human condition. My interest in the supernatural began at an early age, growing up in Brooklyn and listening to my father tell stories about his uncle and great-uncle, who were priests and exorcists in Catania, Italy.
Over the years, I assembled an extensive collection of extraordinary art and antiquities, which eventually inspired me to establish VAMPA.
VAMPA is much more than a museum about vampires. It is a place where art, history, religion, and the eternal struggle between good and evil come together, encouraging visitors to explore the mysteries of life, death, and the human spirit. I am particularly interested in the connections between spirituality, psychology, and neuroscience, and how they influence our understanding of the world.
Beyond the museum, one of my greatest passions is expanding our ministry, which is dedicated to love, compassion, and charity. My goal is not only to preserve and share remarkable objects and their history, but also to help people, inspire curiosity, encourage understanding, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
For those interested in learning more about my personal journey, my experiences, and the story behind my lifelong fascination with the supernatural, I share much more of my life story in my book, Vault of the Vampire.
4. Is there another genre or subject like murder mystery that you are interested in?
I’m more interested in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience because I believe that understanding the human condition requires exploring the connection between spirituality, psychology, and neuroscience.
5. When did you first decide to make vampires the central subject of your museum’s exhibits?
About five years ago, I realized that my extensive collection of vampire-related art and antiquities had grown to the point where I wanted to share it with the public. That was when I decided to make vampires the central focus of the museum.
6. Do you do any props or production and mask making yourself?
No, we don’t do that. However, we do rent out some of the magnificent objects from our collection for use on movie sets.
7. Do you believe viewers need to horror fans in order to enjoy your work?
Absolutely not. We are an academic art museum that explores the age-old battle between good and evil. People are fascinated by the mystery, history, and deeper meaning behind this timeless struggle.
8. Why do you think horror books and movies remain so popular?
I believe our fascination with vampires also has a neurological and psychological connection, which helps explain why they have remained so popular throughout history. At the heart of it is our fear of death, the concept of memento mori, the reminder that we are all mortal. Vampires, on the other hand, represent the possibility of immortality, something that has fascinated humanity for centuries.
9. Why do you think that people are obsessed with learning something new about classic films like Dracula or Nosferatu?
Films like Dracula and Nosferatu are beautifully made and visually captivating. They demonstrate that you don’t need excessive gore or violence to stimulate an audience’s imagination. Their atmosphere, mystery, and artistic qualities continue to fascinate viewers, which is why people remain interested in discovering new details about these classic films.
10. Who inspires you?
Jesus Christ inspires me because of his message and teachings. I also admire Muhammad and Buddha, and I remain open to different religious beliefs and philosophies. Our ministry is founded on the principles of love, compassion, and charity, values that I believe transcend religious boundaries.
11. What are some of your favorite horror books?
I love anything written by Bram Stoker. His work has always fascinated me, particularly the way he combines horror, mystery, and the supernatural.
12. What are some of your favorite horror movies?
Although it’s not a movie, I’ve always loved the television series The Night Stalker. I’m also a fan of just about every Dracula film ever made.
13. What are your current projects?
Some of my current projects include expanding the museum and growing our ministry so we can reach more people, offer greater support, and make a meaningful difference in their lives through love, compassion, and charity.
14. Please in your own words write a paragraph about yourself & your organization’s work.
I have spent much of my life fascinated by art, history, philosophy, psychology, and the mysteries of the human condition. My interest in the supernatural began at an early age, growing up in Brooklyn and listening to my father tell stories about his uncle and great-uncle, who were priests and exorcists in Catania, Italy.
Over the years, I assembled an extensive collection of extraordinary art and antiquities, which eventually inspired me to establish VAMPA.
VAMPA is much more than a museum about vampires. It is a place where art, history, religion, and the eternal struggle between good and evil come together, encouraging visitors to explore the mysteries of life, death, and the human spirit. I am particularly interested in the connections between spirituality, psychology, and neuroscience, and how they influence our understanding of the world.
Beyond the museum, one of my greatest passions is expanding our ministry, which is dedicated to love, compassion, and charity. My goal is not only to preserve and share remarkable objects and their history, but also to help people, inspire curiosity, encourage understanding, and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
For those interested in learning more about my personal journey, my experiences, and the story behind my lifelong fascination with the supernatural, I share much more of my life story in my book, Vault of the Vampire.
You can visit the Vampa Museum at 3686 US 202, Doylestown, PA 18902
