063: A Chat with the Director of the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan

Following Abbott's 75th Get-Together, it would have been a shame not to have driven a few miles north of Colon to visit the American Museum of Magic in Marshall, Michigan. I first visited this museum following my first Get-Together in 1984. I was fortunate to have been given a private tour by owner and curator, Bob Lund. The Museum is now run by a board of directors but the building and it's contents look pretty much unchanged with what appeared to me as the same posters that adorned the wall way back then.

I chatted briefly with Hannah Lewis who is an intern at the museum who gives regular tours and is quite knowledgeable about the building, its contents and its history. She then introduced me to Jeff Taylor who is the Director. He gave me a little more insight and a private tour of the library which is usually only accessible by appointment.

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Photos of the American Museum of Magic - Marshall, Michigan

Robert "Bob" Lund (May 4, 1925 - October 20, 1995) was a noted magic historian and author, was also one of the world's foremost magic collectors. As a result of his passion (and needing a place to house his massive collection), he created the American Museum of Magic. The Museum was only open by appointment during his lifetime. Since Elaine Lund's passing in 2006, the museum has been governed by a board of directors and has become a non-profit corporation. It wasn't until about three years ago that it was finally opened to the public with regular operating hours.

The Bureau of History (Michigan Department of State) designated the building housing the American Museum of Magic as a Registered Historic Site in 1985.

The first thing visitors see as they enter the museum is the breathtaking statue of the Le Grand David show featuring one of their signature illusions, the Broomstick Suspension. This is one of three of these particular works of art in existence.

The Traveling Magician statue is another rare piece of art that is one of 61 known to exist in private collections.

A block away from the main museum building is the former Marshall Library. This building now houses the promotional materials of known and lesser known magicians. Additional ephemera fill the building plus other treasures like an ultra rare copy of "The Discoverie of Witchcraft".

"The Discoverie of Witchcraft" was a partially sceptical book published by the English gentleman Reginald Scot in 1584, and intended as an exposé of medieval witchcraft. It is considered rare becuase all obtainable copies were burned on the assccion of James I in 1603.

While I was visiting the museum, I video recorded a ten minute tour on my iPad then mixed some magic music in the background. If you would like to see more that just the photos above, then enjoy this short video below.

A short tour of the AMM in Marshall, MI.

For more information on The American Museum of Magic, visit their website at http://americanmuseumofmagic.org/

046: Steve Trash on Character Development

This podcast was perhaps one of my easiest interviews and features someone who maybe talks more than me. Steve Trash, the "Rockin' Eco-Hero" visited Houston for a few weeks to perform on the Kid's Country Stage at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. You can read the article from the March 12, 2012 Houston Chronicle website at: http://bit.ly/wezWsj and you can view some pictures of Steve in costume and see him entertaining (and educating) audiences.

He has performed for over 27 years and developed a character that not only personifies his credo "Reduce - Recycle - Reuse" but he set the standard for solidifying the tangible, real life embodiment of what could otherwise be a difficult concept: the environment.

There are so many directions this interview could have gone and indeed it could have easily slipped into a multi-part installment highlighting his various facets. In this podcast, Steve talks a little about his background but more importantly, he discusses how he found his character and developed his passion. I think you will enjoy the many sides of this complex, and jovial Rockin' Eco-Hero...Steve Trash.

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