If during the 90s you were glued to the TV on Friday nights, whispering “I want to believe” to your poster-covered bedroom wall… this one’s for you.
I recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Kelly and Jim — the passionate fans and collectors behind the X-Files Preservation Collection, the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to The X-Files. Located in Saratoga Springs, NY, the museum is home to over 1,000 screen-used props, wardrobe pieces, and behind-the-scenes production items from the groundbreaking sci-fi series that captured the imagination of a generation.
And let me tell you — this conversation went deep. Not just into the world of prop collecting (though, yes, we talk about mammalian corpse props), but into the heart of fandom, preservation, and the importance of telling every part of a show’s story.
Here’s a little of what we talked about.
From Trading Cards to Sea Monsters
Jim’s journey into X-Files fandom started with a love of horror and a binder of trading cards. But the show hit him at just the right moment in his life — and what started as casual fandom soon turned into a full-blown preservation mission.
Kelly came into the fandom later, introduced by Jim, and now plays a key role in researching, verifying, and organizing the collection. The two make a formidable team, blending passion with meticulous documentation and a whole lot of networking.
Their goal? To preserve not just the items, but the stories behind them — from film negatives and paperwork to the artists and technicians who helped bring Mulder and Scully’s world to life.
Preserving the Paranormal
Kelly and Jim’s collection spans the spectrum of weird and wonderful. Pinball machines. Sea monster heads. Paperwork with hand-scribbled notes. And yes — a mammalian corpse prop from creator Chris Carter himself.
But what struck me most during our chat wasn’t just the size of the collection — it was the emotion. They shared stories of fans who’ve traveled great distances to visit and left in tears. Some spend hours quietly reading every sign and label. Others just need a moment to let it all sink in.
Because The X-Files wasn’t just a show. For many of us, it was a defining piece of our pop culture identity. And walking into this museum is like stepping back into that part of yourself.
For Fans Near and Far
If you’re planning a trip to upstate New York, Saratoga Springs is now officially on your nerdy bucket list. But if you can’t get there in person, don’t worry — they offer virtual tours and also share interviews with cast and crew on their YouTube channel.
And if you do visit, come prepared: Jim recommends reading glasses (there’s a lot of info), and Kelly suggests taking your time and asking questions. Every object has a story, and they love sharing it.
Want More?
Visit the museum or sign-up for a virtual tour: https://thexfilespreservationcollection.com/
Watch interviews with cast and crew on their YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@XFilesMuseum
Follow them on social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xfiles_museum/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/XFP1013
And if you stop by, let them know the Roaming Yeti sent you.
