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TRAVEL GUIDE |
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Wisconsin Travel and the Houdini Historical Center
Experience the history of magic during your Wisconsin car rental trip! Harry Houdini was one of the most famous magicians and stunt performers of all time! Many magicians and illusionists today credit their interest in magic to Houdini who was best known for his outlandish stunts that had him narrowly escaping death each time! Many know him best for wiggling out of straightjackets while hanging upside down above city streets and escaping out of packing crates that were dropped into city harbors. Now you can see and learn more about Houdini when you visit the Houdini Historical Center in your Wisconsin car rental!
About Houdini
Houdini is recognized as being the best magician of all-time. His real name was Ehrich Weiss, but because he was so enthralled by magic he changed it to Houdini as a tribute to French illusionist, and his idol, Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin. Needless to say, he came far better known that any of his predecessors. In fact, the stunts and magic he performed back in the nineteenth century still baffle people today.
Houdini died on Halloween, 1926 from peritonitis caused by a ruptured appendix. The cause of the appendicitis is still not known however there are many theories claiming it was due to a blow that was taken during one of his stunts.
Not wanting anyone to know his magical secrets, Houdini instructed his brother Theo to burn his magic apparatus and collection of papers and other materials. Instead, Theo kept them, and passed them on to his prot'g', Sidney Radner. After storing the materials for 40 years in the basement of his home, Radner leased them to the Houdini Historical Center in 1988. Shortly there after the exhibit opened on April 6, 1989, and closed on October 31, 2003, when the bulk of the collection that Radner had not donated to the Houdini Historical Center was returned. If you are to visit today in your Wisconsin car rental you will see the new exhibit, titled A.K.A. Houdini which opened on June 2, 2004.
Houdini Historical Center
Houdini Historical Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to gathering and interpreting information and artifacts related to the life and career of Harry Houdini. It is located in the Outagamie Museum in Appleton, which offers virtual exhibits, museums and events of the life and career of Harry Houdini! You will get to experience some of Harry Houdini's tricks of the trade through hands-on activities. It is great Wisconsin car rental destination for the whole family!
There are annual events including live summer theater and Halloween with Houdini, so if your Wisconsin car rental trip has you visiting during this time, be sure to check it out! A Houdini walking tour map with articles and magic tricks is also available in the new A.K.A. Houdini exhibit for 25 cents.
About the Exhibit
The A.K.A. Houdini exhibit is a biographical exhibit that offers viewers a chance to learn and experience the life of Houdini. It is also an opportunity to see beyond Houdini's fame and discuss how larger historical trends have resulted from his work.
Many researchers have used the artifacts and archives at the Center, including the Discovery Channel, the Arts and Entertainment Network, the BBC, Wisconsin Public Television, and the Learning Channel. The Museum offers so much information that there has been some controversy from the magician community expressing concern that the exhibits disclose too much information on the inner workings of magic tricks. Now you to can get the inside scoop on how the magic happens during your Wisconsin car rental vacation! The Museum is open year round with the exception of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day. For more information call (920) 733-8445, ext. 107.
