The passing of Harry Houdini's last surviving assistant Dorothy Young put the charismatic Appleton born escape artist back in the headlines last week.
The headlines were a place the one time Milwaukee resident and renowned showman became accustomed to seeing his name during his colorful life, which is delightfully documented in the exhibit "AKA Houdini" at The History Museum at the Castle in Appleton.
The exhibit sparked controversy when it opened in 2004 for exposing the methodology behind some of Houdini's most popular escape acts, and leading visitors through step by step instructions on how to perform them.
While the revealing of trade secrets irked illusionists, it makes for a tremendous museum going experience for kids and curious adults alike.
The eye popping graphics, historical artifacts and hands on exhibits that make up the award winning exhibit do a tremendous job of telling the story of the Hungarian born performer while using his life to illuminate the great issues and immigrant experience of his time.
The exhibit offers in depth coverage of his life from his impoverished childhood in Appleton and Milwaukee and his path to international celebrity to his sudden death following surgery on his ruptured appendix in 1926.
Kids will love participatory exhibits that allow them recreate Houdini's straight jacket escape, break out of jail, pick a padlock, escape from the padlocked milk can, and perform his metamorphosis trick on a miniature stage.
But it's not all for the kids. In depth informational placards, historical photographs, and a large collection of performance paraphernalia and historic documents relating to Harry Houdini, help shed light on one of the 20th Century's most enterprising showman and one of Wisconsin's most famous sons.
The History Museum's beautiful building, located at 330 East College Ave. in downtown Appleton was originally a Masonic temple. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building is flush with rough stone, vaulted ceilings, heavy beams and leaded windows, and retains many of the Egyptian motifs and features built by the Masons. In fact, the colorful symbols worked into the tile floors rival the exhibits on the walls.
While the Houdini exhibit is the focal point of the Museum there are several other interesting exhibits examining the area's legacy of paper production, Senator Joseph McCarthy's role in the Red Scare, and other artifacts from the city's past.
The museum also hosts special events like classic movie nights that are always changing so check before your visit to see what they have going on.
The museum is open 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday , and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Admission prices are available at the museum website or by phone at (920) 735-9370 with discounts for seniors and students.
