On Halloween, it will be exactly 100 years since the death of Harry Houdini, the most famous illusionist in history. He died in Detroit, and it is here that the Historical Society has prepared special events to mark the occasion.
Houdini died of sepsis on October 31, 1926, at 1:26 p.m. at Grace Hospital in Midtown. He was 52. He gave his last performance a week earlier, on October 24, at the Garrick Theatre, which no longer exists.
On Friday at 2 p.m., the Detroit Historical Museum will host a lecture titled “Detroit was Wild About Harry (Houdini)” (tickets are $15; admission is free for members). On Saturday, October 31, the museum invites visitors to “Houdini 100: Magic and Mystery,” which will include a talk about Houdini’s performances in Detroit, circus arts demonstrations, and escape and mentalism acts.
“The 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death was the main motivation,” said Rebecca Salminen Witt of the Detroit Historical Society.
Detroit will also offer many other Halloween attractions, including the free “Halloween in the D” (October 31, 4 to 8 p.m.) and the family-friendly “Spooky Spectacular” at Orchestra Hall.
Source: BridgeDetroit, Detroit Historical Society
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