Monday, April 30, 2018

MansonBlog Tour 2018: Scott Michaels and his Dearly Departed Tours and Artifact Museum

We stopped in at Dearly Departed Tours & Museum. There wasn't time to take the TLB tour, but owner Scott Michaels was gracious enough to spend a little time with us discussing his business, MansonBlog and possible motives for the crimes. We did spend some time in his museum. It has some artifacts like Jane Mansfield's car, the comforter that Rock Hudson died on and John Dillinger's death mask.

Scott was the one who raised the funds to put a marker on Donald Shea's grave, without which it would be difficult to find. He is also responsible for raising the funds and paying for grave stones for other forgotten celebrities. According to Michaels:
"These people spent their lives yearning to be recognized, and to end up in an unmarked hole in North Hollywood is a shame."
It was bogusly suggested here in the comments section recently that the grave markers are an effort by Michaels "put in a marker so you could have another stop on your F***ing tour". Fact: Dearly Departed Tours makes ZERO stops at cemeteries, so the markers have no effect on DDT's bottom line.

Michaels was complimentary of our efforts on the blog. Next year we will be sure to allot time to take the tour.








8 comments:

Robert C said...

For those unaware, Scott Michaels partly produced and fully hosted a dvd titled "The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter" in 2009 which is an entertaining (to me) overview of the Manson Family complete with visitations to some sites at that time like Spahn and Barker. It has an episode where Michaels is taking some clientele up the spur road on foot to the gate at night on the anniversary of the Tate massacre. Anyway, it's great to see the group pay a visit to Scott.

starship said...

Yes I am very happy that the Blog Tourists were able to visit with Scott as well.

Patty is Dead said...

Scott is a lovely, gracious individual who made time for us on a very busy tour day. Patty thanks him kindly.

starviego said...

Ahhh... Stoner! The Dude abides.

Jennifer Hays said...

I'm glad you had the chance to meet Scott. He seems like a really interesting guy. I'm a longtime reader of his site and would love to take several of his tours someday.

John Seger said...

Robert,
Spur Road?
Are you meaning Cielo Drive?



Patty is Dead said...

A spur describes the way Cielo breaks off and doubles back. It's not a name.

John Seger said...

Thank you, Patty