BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

In 1976, Raymond Buckland moved to New Hampshire where he opened the museum from 1977 to 1980. 

Unfortunately, because of a rigorous writing and lecture schedule, he then had to place the museum collection into storage, where it remained for a number of years.

The museum collection was briefly reestablished in New Orleans in 1999 where it passed through multiple hands before being salvaged by Rev. Velvet Reith.  

A bit damaged and somewhat reduced collection, Velvet was instrumental in preventing the collection from degrading further and being lost.

Summer hours are Tuesday: 5pm – 7 pm, Thursday: 5pm – 7 pm, Friday: 5pm – 8pm, Saturday: 12pm – 8 pm. 

If you can’t make it during those hours please email bucklandmuseum@gmail.com for an appointment.

Admission is $5.

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

The museum was in existence for ten years in this New York location (1966-1976). 

During that time, it was featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles and was the subject of a television documentary. 

The New York Times, New York Post, Newsday, Look Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Scholastic Voice, and many more, including foreign magazines, had featured articles about the museum. 

Raymond was also interviewed on a large number of radio stations and both national and international television. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art requested and featured some of the pieces in one of its special exhibits.

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

Raymond Buckland started The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick in 1966. 

After visiting the late Gerald Gardner and his collection on the Isle of Man, Raymond was inspired to start a collection of his own. 

While working for British Airways, he was able to acquire many of the artifacts in this collection from all around the world.

He initially displayed his museum on a few shelves in the basement of his Long Island, N.Y. home. 

However, over time, Raymond’s witchcraft collection rapidly grew to well over 500 artifacts, ranging from Ancient Egyptian ushabti’s to documented artifacts from the Salem Witch trials. 

This was the first museum of its kind in the United States with an anthropological approach to the world of folklore and the supernatural.

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

"There are no curses or love spells done here," Slane says. "We are a place of educating people about the collection and the history, and also celebrating the First Amendment. 

That's a really important part of our mission because of the persecution that Wiccans have felt in the past. People get labeled because of their religion or culture, and we want to be a place where it's safe to talk about that."

Gardnerian witchcraft, she notes, follows a very "do no harm to others" mantra.

Most people, Slane says, are just happy they can see the museum's artifacts for themselves.

"We get a lot of people who are just really comfortable in here being surrounded by these things. We try to keep it pretty cozy. Some say 'I'm surrounded by my ancestors here.' They feel at home."

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

While the curious are sure to pop into the museum on a whim, the Buckland continues to attract members of the pagan community from right here in Northeast Ohio. One reason, beyond the history: Its open and welcoming environment.

"All kinds of people come in here, and we hear a lot of them say, 'I don't tell people about my beliefs because I'm afraid of what they'll think," Slane says. "The space offers a non-dogmatic platform for them to express themselves." 

The Buckland has been so popular that they're hoping to expand to the back of the shop early next year.

It would give them an opportunity to host more events, from seances to book signings to lectures. 

But their first focus will always be bringing information to the public and fighting stigma.

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

Aleister Crowley's trident wand, ceremonial bowl and oil lamp are among the most popular with tourists. 

Though he was more of a magician and writer than a witch, his name draws visitors regularly.

"There are Crowley scholars and fanatics everywhere," Slane says.

A small trinket sits on a lower cabinet shelf. The otherwise unsuspecting artifact reads "demon in a box." According to Buckland, he and a friend trapped a demon in 1970.

"Ray was always very serious about not opening it," Slane says. "He told us, 'People are going to offer you money. Don't do it.' Two days later, someone offered us $500."

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

"One thing about Ray is he never shied away from the kitsch," Slane says. "We love that. 

People are sometimes like, 'Why would you have a Lisa Simpson Kidrobot Blind Box?' 

I think Ray would say, yes, this is popular culture. It's relevant. 

What Lisa says about witches - 'Why is it when a woman is confident and powerful, they call her a witch?' - still holds true today." 

The museum is full of photos, books and personal belongings of Buckland, like his ceremonial robe he's often seen wearing in photos. 

Other pieces come from witchcraft landmarks, institutions and notable figures.

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

Museums have always been a source of fascination for Slane, Buckland's director, and Intermill, who serves as curator.

"We've always been interested in collections and the meaning behind artifacts," Slane says. "Neither of us were raised in a religious household, but this is a really fascinating, different way of thinking about things. I've always considered nature to be my church."

Together, with the assistance of Rotonda, they manage donations and scout new artifacts to add to the collection. 

Like a vintage Russ troll doll they were inspired to bring back to Cleveland after a visit to the Troll Hole Museum in Alliance, Ohio.

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

The museum traveled with him throughout the country until he became too busy writing and lecturing. 

He sold the collection to a couple in Louisiana in 1999, and it changed hands once again before it was retrieved by Toni Rotonda, who belonged to a coven Buckland co-founded in Columbus.

Married couple Jillian Slane and Steven Intermill reached out and told her they could find a home for the collection in Cleveland. 

People have asked: Will the museum continue after Buckland's passing?

"Raymond was here for the opening, and I think it was kind of emotional for him," Slane recalls. "He hadn't seen this in more than 30 years. Just seeing it here in one room was really great for him. I think he was very proud of that. He felt that this collection belonged to everyone. That's why when he gave it up, he was just happy it was being shown. And we're adding to it with thought and intention."

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/

BUCKLAND MUSEUM

OF WITCHCRAFT AND MAJICK

Rap three times on a door that reads "witch and magick museum" in the corner of Tremont's 2678 West 14th St.

A traditional altar sits in its center, a ceremonial bowl once owned by infamous occultist Aleister Crowley's rests in a case and a glittering silver spell cord cascades down the side of the room.

Most people stumble upon the Buckland Gallery of Witchcraft and Magick out of intrigue and chance.

You can get a full tour for $5.

Many others come from around the country to celebrate the legacy of Raymond Buckland, who died IN 2017.

A leading figure of the Wicca movement in the United States, particularly Gardnerian Wicca, he founded the museum in 1966 in his New York home.

-- Cleveland.com

http://bucklandmuseum.org/