American Museum of Magic

Infobox Museum
name = American Museum of Magic


imagesize = 200
map_type = Michigan
map_caption = Location of American Museum of Magic
latitude = 42.2722
longitude = -84.9585
established = 1978-04-01
dissolved =
location = Marshall, Michigan
type =
visitors =
director =
curator =
publictransit =
website = http://www.americanmuseumofmagic.org/The American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan, houses a large collection of magical paraphernalia and illusions, including an extensive collection of devices that once belonged to famed magician Harry Blackstone, Sr., (1885-1965).

Museum collection

The American Museum of Magic is the largest privately owned magic museum open to the public. [web cite|url=http://www.absolutemichigan.com/search/?linkid=10260|title=American Museum of Magic|publisher=Absolute Michigan|accessdate=2008-04-20] The collection is extensive, and includes both famous and obscure magicians (for example, it has artifacts from Clare Cummings, who was 'Milky The Twin Pines Magic Clown' and who donated most of his magic tricks to this museum). [ [http://www.detroitkidshow.com/Clare_Cummings.htm Clare Cummings, Milky the Twin Pines Magic Clown.] ] The museum celebrates the art of magic and the devotion of magicians to their craft.cite web|url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MIMARmagic.html|title=American Museum of Magic|publisher=RoadsideAmerica.com|accessdate=2008-04-20] Founded on April 1, 1978, the museum has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. [ [http://www.americanmuseumofmagic.org/ American Museum of Magic home page.] ]

As the Michigan Historical marker on the site notes: this "unique collection . . . celebrates the magician's arts of wonder and delight. Michigan's link to magic is no illusion for nearby Colon, Michigan, a center of magic manufacturing," and Harry Blackstone's home. Registered Site L1240 Erected 1985. Indeed, the town and Mr. Blackstone are noted in another historical marker in Colon. [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/startup.asp?startpage=L0526.htm Harry Blackstone and Colon, Michigan] ]

Specifically, the museum includes 2,009 heralds, handbills, and window cards, 587 showbills, and over 5,000 programs, 10,000 books, 24,000 magazines, 46,000 photos and many letters. Magic sets, performer’s scrapbooks, and magic show apparatus are there. This includes the “Milk Can” and "Overboard Box" used by Harry Houdini.cite web|url=http://www.marshallmi.org/attractions.taf?_function=detail&id=107|title=American Museum of Magic|accessdate=2008-04-20|publisher=Marshall area Chamber of Commerce] The half million (or more) objects occupy three floors. Memorabilia includes artifacts from thousands of conjurers, famous and obscure. (Of course, this is only a fraction of those who are attracted to the arcane arts -- witness the 37,000 members in the International Magicians Society.) In any event, it even has escape apparatus actually used by Harry Houdini. The archive includes thousands of little-known illusionists. [ [http://www.marshallmich.com/history/MuseumofMagic.shtml Marshall Michigan history, American Museum of Magic.] ]

Important exhibits include Doug Henning's "Zig Zag" illusion, and various apparatus used by Howard Thurston in "one of the largest illusion shows across America", which toured from 1908 until 1936.cite news|url=http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1999/feb/02-04-99/arts/arts1.html|title=Magic Museum provides mecca for experts, fans alike|author=Fajurid, Gabe|publisher=The Michigan Daily|date=1999-02-04|accessdate=2008-04-20]

All of this was personally put together by the late Robert Lund, a Detroit-area writer and editor who was an obsessed collector of magic artifacts, with the assistance of his wife, the late Elaine Lund. It is said Mr. Lund liked the craft and skills, but decided early on that he lacked the showmanship necessary to become a world class magician. Instead Lund determined that his mark on magic would be to become its foremost student of magic history and collect everything he could find that related to his beloved art. Following his lifelong quest, he "ultimately gathered a collection that grew to be one of the worlds largest and greatest." The museum now includes apparatus, books, letters, diaries, manuscripts, memorabilia, playbills, photos, posters, scrapbooks, and a half million pieces of "ephemera."

The museum is housed in a 140 year old Victorian building (built in 1868) which has been a saloon, billiard parlor, clothing store, and museum. [ [http://www.marshallmich.com/history/MuseumofMagic.shtml Historical Marshall.] ] It is located at 107 East Michigan Avenue, Marshall, Calhoun County, Michigan. [ [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical markers.] ] The building has been meticulously restored by Bob and Elaine Lund. She silk screened window posters, restored floors, installed cabinets, and did major clean up. Their daughter has ably assisted. They "put their heart and souls into the Museum." The City of Marshall was sufficiently impressed that it awarded them a silver cup.

Museum operation and events

In 2005 the museum was taken over by a new Board of Directors, which has sought to revitalize it. The American Museum of Magic, Inc. is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. [ [http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=760205 Tax exempt world.] ]

Each October the Museum regularly hosts an event of prestidigitation, escape, and feats that are said to be amazing. [ [http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=159535 Genii Magazine on American Museum of Magic.] ]

Visits are the second weekend of every month during scheduled hours, or by appointment only. [ [http://www.michigan.org/Property/Detail.aspx?p=G4805 Pure Michigan, American Museum of Magic.] ]

Magician Terry Evanswood was given an award by the museum.

Other magic museums

In 1985, on the 100th anniversary of his father's birth, Harry Blackstone, Jr. donated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. the original floating light bulb - Thomas Edison designed and built it - and the original Casadega Cabinet, used in the "Dancing Handkerchief" illusion. This was the first ever donation accepted by the Smithsonian in the field of magic. [ [http://www.amdest.com/stars/harryb.html Harry Blackstone Jr. donates Harry Blackstone Sr. illusions to Smithsonian.] ]

*The Houdini Museum, Scanton, Pennsylvania. [ [http://www.houdini.org/ Houdini Museum.] ]
*Martinka & Co. Museum of Magic, Midland Park, New Jersey. [ [http://www.martinka.com/martinka/museum/ Martinka Museum.] ]
*Mini Museum of Magic, Watertown, Massachusetts. [ [http://www.mymagic.com/magichistory/resources.htm Mini Museum of Magic.] ]
*Musee de la Magie, Paris, France. [ [http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=165816 Mussee de la Magie.] ] [ [http://www.travelsignposts.com/Paris/paris_museum-magic.php Travel signposts, Paris Museum of Magic.] ] [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001074.html Keck, Gayle, Washington Post, And Now for Paris' Next Trick.] ]
*Museum of Magic. Five galleries, coming soon. [ [http://www.museumofmagic.org/Exhibitions.htm Museum of Magic.] ]
*Smithsonian Institution
*Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame and Magic Museum, Austin Texas. [ [http://magic.about.com/od/magicinthemedia/a/samhalloffame.htm Society of American Magicians Magic Museum.] ] [ [http://magic.about.com/b/2006/12/12/call-to-save-magic-museum.htm SAM Museum seeks benefactor.] ] Closed temporarily due to fire, contamination, and resultant litigation.

Notes

Further reading

*Waldron, Daniel, "American Museum of Magic: Its True Story" (Paperback) Meyerbooks (June 1991). ISBN 0916638766 ISBN 978-0916638764.

External links

* [http://www.americanmuseumofmagic.org/ American Museum of Magic home page.]
* [http://www.pub.umich.edu/daily/1999/feb/02-04-99/arts/arts1.html Fajurid, Gabe, Michigan Daily, "Magic Museum provides mecca for experts, fans alike" 2/4/1999.]
* [http://www.marshallmi.org/attractions.taf?_function=detail&id=107 Marshall Michigan, commentary on American Museum of Magic.]
* [http://www.michmarkers.com/Frameset.htm Michigan Historical markers.]
* [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/hal_mhc_mhm_houdini_10-09-2002_92657_7.pdf Michigan Time Traveler, Lansing State Journal, Michigan magic.]
* [http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/MIMARmagic.html Roadside America Travel Report on American Museum of Magic.]
* [http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/default.aspx?f=1&guid=df69ee7f-5447-42fa-9b17-3115327b681a&gid=2 Waymarking, American Museum of Magic, Image Gallery.]