For those with even a passing interest in magic and magicians, the name Harry Houdini, the great escape artist from the early twentieth century, is well known. His ability to get out of straight jackets, milk jugs, and more is legendary, and has inspired generations of aspiring magicians to try and copy him.
Even though Houdini has legions of fans to this day, only two of them have joined together to create a museum dedicated to his life and work. Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brooks turned their passion for Houdini into an institution in 1988 when they established the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Dietrich and Brooks were both veterans of the magic entertainment business when they founded the Houdini Museum. Dietrich remains an escape artist in her own right, and her love of Houdini is said to date to her early years as a child in a rural community. She was often forced to get out of being tied up due to her siblings tendency to involve her in their various games. Over time she studied magic and escape artistry, even working under several well-known magicians to learn the bullet-catch trick and more. She has imitated successfully many of Houdini’s most famous escapes, and she continues to be ranked among the top ten magicians in the world today.
Prior to opening the Houdini Museum, Dietrich partnered with Brooks to run the Magic Towne House in New York City. This theatre was a venue for famous and unknown magicians alike to perfect and perform their craft. Brooks himself is also an accomplished magician, having edited the magic magazine Hocus Pocus for several years and appearing on stage to wow crowds with his magic tricks. His partnership with Dietrich naturally continued after the closing of the Towne House with the opening of the Houdini Museum because he too is a Houdini fan.
The Houdini Museum itself is devoted to commemorating the work of Harry Houdini and has continually been ranked among the ten best road trip destinations in the entire United States. Houdini actually did some performances in the building that now houses the museum, which means that visitors get to walk where Houdini walked when they visit the attraction. Being a site devoted to Houdini’s work, there are many notable exhibits at the museum. Many have remarked that seeing Houdini’s handcuffs, for example, rendered them even more amazed that he was ever able to escape from anything in the first place. The museum also contains interesting print resources, such as copies of the Red Magic newspaper supplement section that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer and other papers. In order to keep the memory of Houdini alive, there are also souvenirs available at the museum, such as full-color reproductions of theatre posters that advertised some of Houdini’s shows while he was alive.
There is much more to see at the Houdini museum, and much else that could be said about His life and work. Go see the museum and read up on Houdini’s work to learn more about him.
1. Harry Houdini Museum — the official website for the Harry Houdini museum
2. Americas Library: Harry Houdini — some interesting articles on Harry Houdini and his life as a magician
3. Harry Houdini: The Man Behind the Myth — PBS-created website on Harry Houdini’s life and work
4. Houdini Biography — Appleton Public Library biography page on Harry Houdini
5. Houdini at the History Museum — virtual exhibits, historical information, and more on Harry Houdini
Written by Michael S. Atwood