Vent Haven Museum in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, is devoted to the art and history of ventriloquism. Its collection includes hundreds of performance figures, along with photographs, props, playbills and other memorabilia. A guided visit brings the displays to life, with time to hear about the figures and their place in the craft; some can be handled during the tour. The museum is a distinctive stop near Cincinnati for anyone curious about ventriloquism, its performers or the characters they brought onstage.
A collection devoted to ventriloquism
Vent Haven Museum is dedicated to the art of ventriloquism. The collection includes hundreds of performance figures, as well as photographs, props, playbills and books connected with the craft. The displays span historical and modern performers, giving the tour room to explore both the figures and the history around them.
The museum’s founder, William Shakespeare Berger, was a local businessman and ventriloquism enthusiast who built the collection. Today, the exhibits bring together objects associated with well-known performers and the wider history of the art form.
What to expect on a visit
Visits are guided and arranged by appointment, so plan ahead rather than arriving without a booking. Tours take place in small groups, and guides explain details that are easy to miss among the displays. Some figures can be handled during the visit.
The Dunham Family Theater has a video to watch as part of your time at the museum. Appointments are available from May through September. If those dates do not work for you, the museum also holds two open houses each year and offers private tours.
FAQ
Do you need to book Vent Haven Museum in advance?
Yes. Visits are by appointment, so arrange your tour online before you go.
When can you visit Vent Haven Museum?
Appointments are available from May through September. The museum also holds two open houses each year.
What can you see at Vent Haven Museum?
The collection includes ventriloquist figures, photographs, props, playbills and books. There is also a video in the Dunham Family Theater.
