Houdini Museum, Tour & Magic Show WEEKENDS — Attraction in Scranton

If you’re interested in seeing the real America, the kind of America that isn’t centered around an amusement park, then the Harry Houdini Museum should be on your list. It’s a small, one-of-a-kind museum run by Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz in Scranton PA. It’s a converted house in a residential area so be careful not to drive right by looking for a big, commercialized attraction. But inside is everything you’d ever expect in a museum dedicated to Houdini. Dorothy and Dick scour the Earth looking for any bit of genuine Houdini memorabilia from the actual equipment he used in his tricks (such as an actual milk can fron his most famous escapes) to genuine theater programs detailing his life as it was recorded during his lifetime. The museum houses the most complete Houdini collection anywhere.

The Houdini Museum is more than just a walk-through, 25-cent tour. Its proprietors, as well as providing a magic show for its patrons, take great care in preserving the Houdini legend in the most factual manner possible. They told us as much about Harry Houdini the man as they did about Harry Houdini the magician and it is a most fascinating story about a most fascinating individual. I came away with much more respect for this entertainer, entrepreneur and most honorable American.

Operating the museum is a labor of love for Dietrich and Brookz. I doubt they are wealthy people because of it, but they pour their hearts and souls into keeping alive the Houdini legacy and history for us all. The Houdini Museum is truly an American treasure but one that will not last forever. Maybe in a generation it will not be here anymore replaced by a Disney-fied version of Houdini complete with all the embellishments of a comic book hero cleansed of any trace of his real humanity. I fear that once the museum is gone, Houdini himself will be permanently lost so please plan on seeing it soon.

With that all said, I obviously give the Harry Houdini Museum two thumbs up. It’s a genuine slice of America and the perfect afternoon diversion from the theme park scene. Yes, they will offer things like for purchase (we bought a deck of magic cards and a reproduction theater program - both very reasonably-priced) but you can rest assured that every dollar you spend there goes directly back into keeping the...

My wife, my son and my grandchildren (ages 12, 6 and 4) visited the Museum on November 23rd, 2019; we saw the show and the guided tour. It was absolutely wonderful; so very informative and also very personal. It was sold out that day, but because they limit each show to 50 people or less, everyone gets to feel they are part of it. My Grandson (6) was chosen to help out with some of the magic tricks, and he had a blast with Dorothy and Bravo. These folks are truly dedicated to keeping the living memory and spirit of Harry Houdini alive for all of the world to see. You can buy gifts, magic acts, books - and they'll autograph anything you purchase for free. I highly recommend visiting them at least twice, as there is so much to see and do you can't really get it all in one day. It is truly fun for the...

This was a highly enjoyable and educational experience in a small group setting that starts with a short film with rare footage, followed by a guided tour of three rooms filled with a vast assortment of Houdini memoriabilla and finally a fantastic audience participation magic show. Dorothy Dietrich and Bravo the Great are very knowledgeable about all things Houdini and are both talented personable magicans who are eager and dedicated to keeping Houdini history alive. It was a captivating 3 hour event that I would recommend for small groups as well as both young and old. Well worth the 90 minute ride from NJ and just a few minutes from interstate 81. HOUDINI LIVES (at least in spirit and...