Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MM
The History Museum at the Castle and A.K.A. Houdini
Paper may be the raison d'etre, but folks just can't get enough of that Houdini magic. Born
Ehrich Weiss in Hungary in 1874, the enigmatic Houdini spent most of his life in Ap-
pleton.
A.K.A. Houdini
(330E.CollegeAve.,920/735-8445,
www.myhistorymuseum.org
)
is maintained as part of
The History Museum at the Castle
(330 E. College Ave., 920/
735-9370). The foremost collection of Houdini artifacts anywhere includes the Guiteau
handcuffs, which bound President Garfield's assassin and from which the magician later
escaped. The center has prepared a detailed walking tour of the city (marked with brass
plaques), taking in the sites of his childhood. Magic shows, hands-on exhibits, and more
thrill kids (and parents).
Themuseumitselfcontainsanexcellentandaward-winningexhibit(“ToolsofChange”)
on the workers and economic history of the Lower Fox region. The museums are open
10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday. Admission is $15.
