Museums of the mysterious
D wrote:
I had an experience some years ago that I still find very interesting. On a whim I decided to visit Lilydale, New York, one of the worlds centers for the spiritualist religion. On arriving I found an old museum on the grounds with material that went back to the 1800’s. When I entered, the curator and a women were busily taking notes and examining a display case. They said that just a moment ago an old book had jumped up and down (in a closed case) and they always took notes of such things. On examination I was surprised to find the book was a scrap book. It belonged to the Grandfather of an old friend of mine, who were magicians, escape artists, spiritualists and contemporaries of Harry Houdini. Maybe they were still around and knew I was a friend of the family? Not very horrific but Lilydale is more Ray Bradbury than E.A. Poe.
I find it frustrating that curators of antiquities, particularly those allegedly associated with a paranormal past, become obsessed with the notion that these inanimate objects are in some way infused with energies to the extent they might react with their surroundings. Not once have I witnessed such an occurrence myself, despite many hours of study under the assurances of regular activity.
Once such case involved a child’s toy that was said to have continued connections with the child since his untimely death of tuberculosis some years previously. The child’s parents preserved his bedroom as it was at the moment of his death and would report all manner of playful activities taking place within, accompanied by audible giggling. The events continued following the ultimate release of the toy to Mr. Misteriouso’s Museum of Magical Particulars – by whom I was requested to attend and report.
Over a period of two weeks I boarded with this fellow and not once was there anything of note that was above normal, rational explanation. This despite the curator’s insistence – supported by his “Diary of Strange Doings” – that the toy would find itself in a different location each morning.It did not move an inch on two weeks.
Proof! That is what we need, proof! And yet so much relies upon the word of those with much to gain from the reporting of such paranormal events. Houdini, now that you mention the sensationalist blaggard, is one and the same. Perhaps one day I shall recount my personal experience of the man and what I discovered regarding his methods of investgation!
M.Keynes