Houdini Museum - Scranton, Pennsylvania - magic museum featuring the history of Harry Houdini's career and life

Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Houdini Museum was founded in 1988 to celebrate the life and career of famous magician Harry Houdini. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Houdini (born Erik Weisz) was one of the most popular American magicians, and he was well known for being an escape artist and stunt performer. He was also known for attempting to expose frauds who claimed to be supernatural. During his career, Houdini performed a number of challenges in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where Scranton was a booming railroad town, and the Houdini Museum features a number of artifacts from this era in his life, as well as magic shows in the spirit of Houdini.

The Houdini Museum was created by American magicians Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brooks (aka, John Bravo). Many of the artifacts were collected by these two magicians over the years, and they include items that were passed down to Brooks by his father, who saw Houdini perform around the turn of the century. Originally, the artifacts were on display in The Magic Towne House in New York City, along with a replica of the Houdini bust that appears at the magician's grave and a very large painting of Houdini. While these items were returned to their owner, the Society of American Magicians, the rest of the collection was moved to the current location in Scranton.

Today, the Houdini Tour and Magic Show lasts at least two hours and is appropriate for the entire family. The tour includes film footage from over 100 years ago of the magician doing some of his famous stunts. These films are extremely rare, so this is one of the few places you can see Houdini. After touring the museum, guests can watch the non-scary magic show, which includes tricks with live animals and audience participation.

The Houdini Tour has four parts. First, guest can watch the video of Houdini performing. The two-part guided tour features the Houdini History Room, with information about his life, and a separate room with many of Houdini's props, family information, and pictures from the local Scranton challenges he performed. Guests are then ushered into the theatre, where they can see other Houdini exhibits, as well as information on how Houdini really died. After a short breaks, guests can enjoy the live magic show.

Guests who want a somewhat spooky experience can visit later in the year to enjoy Haunted! Mind Mysteries & The Beyond. Tickets for this show are available by reservation only. Starting at 8 PM on Tuesdays through Sundays, this magic show lasts about three hours and includes mind reading, telekinesis, and more. Guests can attend a syance in the museum, which is one of the older buildings in Scranton, as well as learn about the murder/suicide that took place in the building around the time Houdini was performing. Tickets for this even cost $35.

General admission for the Houdini Museum is just $14.95, with special prices during the summer. They're open year-round, with daily afternoon hours during July and August. Call 570-341-5555 to learn more.