“Does it always rain in Ohio?” I asked my partner, as we drove into Cleveland on yet another rainy day during my visit.
“Could be worse. Could be snowing. It is still April after all,” he responded. I suppose that’s true.
The author posed outside the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft [courtesy]
Tucked away on a narrow (to me) street, next door to what smells like an amazing pizza parlor, is Buckland’s Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. Celebrating nine years at its current location, it is filled to the literal rafters with memories and mementos collected first by Raymond Buckland and now by Toni Rotonda over a near 60-year period.
Stepping inside, I was met by Steven Intermill, the director of the museum. He is lively and energetic, and passionate about the collection held inside. After a detailed introduction to Raymond Buckland, we were escorted into the museum area proper. There we found every type of object one could think of related to Witchcraft and its history (specifically Wicca, but not limited to just this tradition) in the United States. Everything from grimoires to amulets, from tarot cards to the “Thing in the Box” that does not like flash photography!
Intermill knows the lore behind every object in the collection and is a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge and stories about each item. Included in the collection are items donated by Buckland, including his ritual horns, Lady Olwen’s circlet, and some of his ritual garb. For those who have read Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft, the original notebook the first draft was written in is also included in the collection.
The notebook that would become Buckland’s famous “big blue book.” [courtesy]
One whole room of the gallery contains Ouija and talking boards. Another room is filled with wands, including one from Ivo Dominguez, Jr. There’s a full Wiccan altar set-up for to explore, and a cabinet filled with tarot and oracle decks. One wall is dedicated to the “Satanic Panic,” and another is dedicated to an ever-revolving art display. At the time of my visit, it featured artwork by Luciana Lupe Vasconcelos entitled “Espiritos Familiares.”
The collection is not static. While there are cherished items from Raymond Buckland and his wife, there are also new pieces added all the time. In fact, when we visited Intermill was adding Phyllis Currot’s libation bowl to the gallery.
While I was there, I had the opportunity to speak with Rotonda via phone, who provided more details about the collection. She let me know that they’re planning something special for the 60th anniversary of the collection. “We are officially the oldest Witchcraft museum in the country,” she said, explaining that the collection was originally housed in New Orleans under the care of Reverend Velvet Rieth. When Reverend Velvet could no longer maintain the collection, it moved back to Ohio under Buckland’s direction. Buckland turned it over to Rotonda, who spent nearly 2 years cataloging the collection to see what was there and to get the stories behind each of the items documented.
Intermill reached out to Rotonda to say he had an idea, and the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Cleveland was born. Raymond Buckland was even able to cut the ribbon on their opening day. “Thankfully the appreciation (for the museum) has been overwhelming. A lot of people are happy to see that we’re here and what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”
Ivo Dominguez’s ritual wand [courtesy]
But while Buckland’s name is on the marque, he’s not the only elder to be honored. Lots of other Pagan and Witchcraft elders are included in the collection. As mentioned, Phyllis Currot has an item now in the collection, as do Raven Grimassi, Leo Martello, Lilith Dorsey, Najah Lightfoot, Ivo Dominguez, Jr, and more. The museum, Rotonda says, is actively growing and collecting items. “We’re expanding, trying to fill in all the blanks and tell all the stories of Witchcraft in America.”
For anyone who’d like to donate anything, from books to personal craft items, you can contact the museum directly. “We are open to everything that’s telling a story.”
Hopefully they can continue to expand and keep teaching people there’s more to Witchcraft in America than what they’ve seen in old horror movies. The shop itself is active and vibrant in the community, hosting notable Pagans for workshops such as Christopher Penczak and Utu Witchdoctor, and hosting Sabbat celebrations. I was particularly sad that I was leaving so soon, because the day after my visit was their community Beltane.
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