Houdini's Milk-Can Escape: American Museum Of Magic
Collections Of Magic Artifacts And Authentic Books From Legends Like Houdini, Copperfield And Blackstone Appear At This Michigan Museum
In south central Michigan near the intersection of Interstates 69 and 94 lies a small community of approximately 7,500 residents that boasts eight museums. “Marshall is a large historic community, we have a historic district with many museums including the Postal Museum, the Honolulu House Museum, the Governor’s Mansion Museum”, explains John Sherwood. Of course, the museum most near and dear to his heart is the American Museum of Magic. Mr. Sherwood serves as a board member for the museum as well as a Magician. “My background with magic goes back to my childhood. I was born in Marshall and at the age of 8 I became fascinated with magic. When they moved the museum to Marshall, my world opened up wonderfully”, stated Sherwood.
The ‘they’ he is speaking of is Bob and Elaine Lund. Both now deceased, Bob was a collector of magic history from his teens through his passing and it is his collection that makes up the majority of the museums exhibits. “The museum opened on April Fool’s day in 1978 which was followed by a séance to raise the spirit of Harry Houdini”, recalled Sherwood.
Sherwood supports the museum not only as a board member, but also as a member of the Neil Foster Ring Number 89 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The organization has met at the museum the last five years and supports the museum by providing magic shows and live entertainment as well as fund raising. “We are a museum, not a magic shop”, insists Sherwood. “Our audience is the people who come in and visit us, and they expect to be entertained or perhaps buy a little magic, so we do that on the side as well.”
Kate Peterson, the museum administrator has been working with the American Museum of Magic since February of 2017. “My passion for this museum is showing off the collection to the public. It is rare and unique; the museum has something for everybody. When you walk into the museum, there are posters on the walls from old magic shows if you are interested in the arts or advertising history. You don’t have to be interested in magic to enjoy the museum, but if you visit the museum, you will be interested in magic before you leave”, she stated.
The museum covers two buildings, one for display of artifacts and the other serves as an archive for historical records, books, and documents. “The archives are used as an educational venue open to the public. We have people coming in researching for books or articles or maybe even personal interest”, Peterson explained.
“Bob wasn’t interested in just famous magicians. He in fact wasn’t all that fond of Houdini, he thought Houdini was a great showman and escape artist, but a lousy magician. He focused on what he called the men and women who brought wonder into living rooms and to small towns and camp fires. He was fascinated by small time people; these were the people who actually did the work of magic in the world. No matter how small time they were, Bob wanted information on them and these are the names you will find in the filing cabinets in the archives”, explained Sherwood.
The museum holds a range of artifacts from numerous well known magicians as well including Houdini, Copperfield, and Blackstone. “If you can name the magician, we probably have an artifact”, claimed Sherwood. “We are a little short on items from newer magicians, but David Copperfield was a regular visitor and Pen and Teller are strong supporters. We actually have some of their suits on display on our second floor.”
“I personally enjoy the rare books”, stated Peterson. “We have a 16th century original copy of a book on display right now that is open to a page that describes how to escape from the stockades during the time of the witch trials.”
One of the centerpieces for the museum is the milk can exhibit. This exhibit features a milk can that was used by Houdini in his shows. The milk can would be filled with water and Houdini would be handcuffed and placed in the can with the top locked shut with Houdini inside. Mr. Sherwood in the mid 90’s had the opportunity to bring the milk can back to life in his own show. “About twenty years ago, Bob decided that he wanted the Houdini milk can to be more than just something people looked at. He had stored it for 40 years, he had put it on display and at the time, I was working a show which was essentially the biography of Harry Houdini. Bob asked me if I would like to use some authentic Houdini artifacts in my show and he let me use the milk can, but in order to use it, we had to figure it out. We had to learn its secret. We had to delve into something that had never been published; it had been kept a secret by Houdini and his brother for several decades. In figuring it out, it was the most amazing revelatory aspect in learning how the mind of Houdini worked and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life”, recalled Sherwood.
Jared Langenegger
A graduate of New Mexico State University with bs in wildlife and fisheries biology Jared spent 15 years working in fisheries and parks management. He enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, painting, and wood working.
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