Museum of Hoaxes

FROM THE WEBSITE:

The Museum was established in 1997 in order to promote knowledge about the phenomenon of hoaxes. It plays host to a variety of humbugs and hoodwinks—from ancient deceptions all the way up to modern schemes, dupes, and dodges that circulate on the internet.

The museum is divided into a variety of different sections. There's a historical wing, in which hoaxes are presented chronologically, from the Middle Ages right up to the present; a Gallery of April Fool's Day hoaxes, celebrating that one day of the year devoted to pranks and practical jokes; a Tall-Tale Creature Gallery that delves into the natural history of species such as the Jackalope and the Fur-Bearing Trout; and much, much more.

Take a look around and check out the exhibits. Marvel at the woman who gave birth to rabbits, be astounded by the Swiss spaghetti trees, and shocked by the Bonsai Kittens. Try to decide if you would have fallen for any of the hoaxes. There are even some tests for you to determine just how gullible you really are. Just remember that there's no claim so stupid that someone, somewhere won't believe it!

LINK TO MAIN WEBPAGE


Here's just one hoax exposed:


The standing portrait of Lincoln (left) was created soon after the American Civil War. Although it hung in many classrooms, Lincoln never posed for it. Instead, an unknown entrepreneur created it by cutting-and-pasting a headshot of Lincoln taken from a photograph by Mathew Brady (middle) onto a portrait of the Southern leader John Calhoun (right). This was done because there were hardly any appropriate ‘heroic-style’ portraits of Lincoln made during his life. In the Calhoun image, the papers on the table say “strict constitution,” “free trade,” and “the sovereignty of the states.” In the Lincoln image, these words have been changed to read, “constitution,” “union,” and “proclamation of freedom.”

Visit the website for more hoaxes!