TASSUAD’S
LONDON
WAX
MUSEUM
Tussaud’s London Wax Museum
opened at 5505 Gulf Boulevard on
March 2, 1963 and showcased more
than 120 wax figures, posed in
elaborate garb, depicting scenes
from history and entertainment. In
1978, former St. Petersburg Beach
City Commissioner and Mayor John
E. “Ted” Stambaugh bought the
museum from Ripley’s Entertainment
and updated the scenes with new
wax figures representing more
recent pop culture icons, including
Freddie Krueger and Rambo.
Throughout the 1980s, the museum
saw a decline in attendance, as moving,
talking animatronics at Walt Disney
World in Kissimmee would lure
guests away from the stiff mannequins
at the London WaxMuseum. While
tourism waxed at the larger attractions
along Interstate 4, interest in
Tussaud’s waned, and the slumping
museum sealed its doors for good
on January 15, 1989.
48 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2015