A whisper — maybe just the wind, maybe something more — echoes through the halls.

A row of antique dolls stares blankly from their glass case — until one suddenly shifts, ever so slightly. Was that just your imagination, or did it actually move?

A chill brushes past, followed by a distinct tug on your sleeve. An invisible presence, perhaps?

At the Museum of Shadows, these eerie paranormal encounters aren't merely a tale; they are an experience waiting to unfold — if you dare.

Now open in Pensacola, the museum is home to more than 5,000 verified haunted artifacts, drawing ghost hunters and thrill-seekers from across the country. Visitors report full-bodied apparitions, disembodied voices and unseen forces tugging at their clothes. From sudden drops in temperature to unexplained laughter and phantom footsteps, the spirits seem eager to make their presence known.

Founded in 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska, by paranormal investigator Nate Raterman, the museum has expanded to Florida.

"I have always wanted to live in Florida, so recently I moved to the Pensacola area. And it has always been a goal of mine to open/expand the Museum of Shadows here in Pensacola," Raterman told Gulf Coast Media. "We opened Dec. 4 of 2024."

(Photo provided courtesy of Nate Raterman/Museum of Shadows) The Museum of Shadows houses more than 5,000 verified haunted artifacts. Are you ready to step inside and see what lurks in the darkness?

Raterman, who has spent more than 24 years investigating the paranormal, said his personal experiences led him to collect and study haunted objects.

"How, I got started in the paranormal field was I purchased a home in the Midwest. A lot of strange activity started happening. Doors would open and close to eventually seeing a full figure apparition of an older gentleman, and from that point forward, I was hooked and knew I wanted to capture more evidence to put out there to get answers for myself," Raterman said. "I started getting contacted by local businesses and homeowners to investigate their location because they were experiencing different paranormal activity, and I, of course, was so excited to be able to help. To see what I could capture."

His collection began with a single haunted artifact and has since grown exponentially. Thousands of items from across the world arrive daily, undergoing a strict quarantine and forensic testing process before becoming part of the museum's ever-growing inventory.

The Museum of Shadows offers self-guided tours and after-hours ghost hunts, where visitors can bring their own paranormal equipment or rent spirit boxes, K2 meters, ghost meters and dowsing rods. One of the museum's most notorious challenges is the "Sit Challenge," where participants endure 10 minutes alone in a pitch-black room filled with haunted objects while monitored by live cameras.

The museum has been featured on Travel Channel, Discovery+, Destination America and several other media outlets. It is currently filming a new series for Amazon Prime at its Pensacola location.

(Photo provided courtesy of Nate Raterman/Museum of Shadows) Raterman invites those interested to come out and see what he has discovered. One of his biggest recommendations is the infamous "Sit Challenge." The challenge places you alone in a pitch-black room surrounded by haunted objects. Could you last 10 minutes?

For those looking to delve deeper into the paranormal, Raterman hosts the "Paranormal Radio" podcast, featuring EVP (electronic voice phenomena) evidence captured at the museum. The museum's YouTube channel showcases footage of haunted artifacts, including dolls such as Ayda, Demus, Eyes and Umbra, reportedly moving on their own. Additional content can be found on the museum's Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Museum of Shadows also offers assistance to those dealing with haunted objects. Donated artifacts are carefully examined and stored, ensuring they are safely contained within the museum's collection.
The Pensacola location, 341 N. Navy Blvd., is open Thursday through Saturday from 2 to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $25.

Reservations are recommended for the ghost hunts, which are held regularly, with upcoming investigations scheduled for March 21 and March 22 from 10 p.m. to midnight.

More information, including tickets and upcoming events, can be found at www.museumofshadows.com.

All photos in this article were provided courtesy of Nate Raterman/Museum of Shadows.