A Bewitching Encounter: Your Halloween Guide to the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
This Halloween, uncover the mysteries of witchcraft and the occult at the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick in Ohio. As the first museum in the United States to celebrate the Wiccan religion and witchcraft, this unique stop will help you understand the belief systems cloaked in superstition and often misconstrued in the media.
As the spookiest time of year approaches, there’s no better place to dive into a bit of magic- remember, knowledge is power! So, whether you’re a practicing Wiccan or simply curious about the history and rituals of witchcraft, the Buckland Museum provides the perfect opportunity to learn about everything from ancient pagan traditions to modern Wiccan rituals.
What is the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick?
The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft was started in 1966 by Raymond Buckland, the father of American Wicca. Raymond is also believed to have been the person who introduced the Wiccan religion to the United States.
Buckland started gathering occult items from around the world while living in New York. His collection quickly outgrew the original shelf space set aside for it. Eventually, it grew to over 500 pieces before it was moved to New Hampshire, then Virginia, and finally into a storage unit in 1979.
In 1999, Raymond’s unique collection was uncovered and publicly displayed in New Orleans while being passed on from owner to owner. During this time many pieces were lost or sold off.
Finally, the items left were moved to Ohio in 2015. They are now under the care of the Temple of Sacrifice, a Columbus-based coven at what is now known as the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick.
This building houses the museum and a small shop. It’s a place where everyone (no matter their belief system) is welcome to learn about the history of Witchcraft and can find whatever tools they need to practice their faith.
Is the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick Dog Friendly?
The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft is NOT dog-friendly. Visiting this attraction highly depends on personal interest and comfort level. So, if you have someone in your group who is not interested in the tour, they can easily wait outside with a dog or take turns going inside.
See our tips for leaving your dog alone in a new place so you don’t miss out on non-dog-friendly stops.
Where to Stay When Visiting the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
The Buckland Museum is located in Columbus, Ohio. If you plan on spending the night while exploring the rest of the city, you’ll have a ton of accommodations to choose from.
Campsites Near Columbus, Ohio
If you are looking to camp during your stay, there are several public campgrounds in the surrounding area:
- Streetsboro/Cleveland KOA– starts around $50 per night (pet-friendly)
- American Wilderness Campground– $35 per night (pet-friendly with an extra fee)
- Willow Lake Park– starts at $35 per night (pet-friendly)
Hotels Near the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
Use our affiliate link to find the best hotel for your vacation!
Booking.comWhere to Eat When Visiting the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
You can find plenty of places to eat nearby if you want to grab a bite before or after your visit. Here are some of the closest restaurants to the museum:
- El Rinconcito Chapin
- Irie Jamaican Kitchen
- China Wok
- Gus’s Old Brooklyn Family Restaurant
- Gabe’s Family Restaurant
Looking for a fun, one-of-a-kind experience? Take a short drive across town to eat at the Haunted Horror Restaurant!
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft is a shop attached to the only American museum dedicated to witchcraft and the occult. The store is full of memorabilia, books, artwork, and items for practical use such as herbs, candles, cards, and gemstones.
Inside the museum, the displays are full of tools and imagery of both witchcraft and magick. There are also artifacts from famous practitioners like Raymond Buckland, Najah Lightfoot, Lilith Dorsey, Lady Rowan, and more.
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick Price and Hours
Buckland’s Museum hours can change seasonally, so check their website for the latest information. You need to book the tour in advance to see the museum, but the shop is open to everybody.
Currently, the store is open from 12-6 on Mondays and Thursdays and from 12-7 on Fridays and Saturdays. It is also open on Sundays from 12-4 pm. Tours are given on the hour and cost $8 if purchased online.
Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick Gift Shop
The shop is at the front of the building and carries a variety of items. This store has something for everyone. For the average curious tourist, you can find shirts, keychains, stickers, and buttons to help you commemorate your visit.
If you are a pagan, modern witch, or practitioner of traditional witchcraft, or mysticism, you can find ceremonial and divination tools here. Items like incense, crystals, statues, tarot cards, and scrines.
They also have an array of books if you want to learn more about a particular topic. These cover topics about Wiccan religion, witches, spell casting, rites, gods and goddesses, and astrological and magickal subjects.
What to Expect at the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick
When we visited the Buckland Museum, we honestly had no idea what to expect. Would the museum be overdone with the exaggerated witch or satanic décor from the movies or full of altars, pentagrams, potions, and spell books?
Steven Intermill, the museum director, was our tour guide and a terrific source of information during our visit. Steven is respectful of visitors and happy to engage with you on your terms.
You can tell the museum is used to all types of guests. From those who want the thrill of entering what they view as a demonic place, to those who are interested in learning more about another religion.
Steven is very laid back and used to many guests visiting out of curiosity rather than active practitioners. Any fear of being pressured about practicing witchcraft or being converted to Paganism or Satanism can be laid to rest. No matter why you choose to visit, he is more than happy to let you look around and answer any questions.
Arriving at The Buckland Museum
If you are driving to the museum, look for the small drive leading to the parking lot behind the building. If you are on the street facing the building, it’s just to the left of it. There is also street parking available if you can find an open spot.
Just inside the building is the gift shop area. The checkout counter is to your left and is where you check in for your tour. As you wait for your tour, you can look around and see what the gift shop offers. I found the cutest bat pin there that I absolutely love.
Our group loves collecting crystals and learning about their meanings and potential benefits. This shop made it easy because each stone was labeled with what it was and the benefits it could give.
We spent a disgusting amount of time just looking at all the gemstones they carried and asking Steven all our questions about where they could be found, what his favorites were, and more.
The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick Tour
The museum is in the back and is separated from the gift shop by a door. Tour groups are limited to 8 people so make sure you book your spot in advance. Once the tour starts, you’ll enter the back where your guide will give you a brief history of witchcraft and the museum.
After this, you’ll get your first chance to look around at the artifacts and exhibits on your own and ask any questions you have. During this time, he may go back to the store occasionally to check on customers there.
After 10 or 15 minutes we were asked if we had any questions. In between questions, Steven would talk about different pieces in the collection, where they came from, how they came to the museum, what it was used for, etc.
Throughout the Buckland Museum are photos of famous Wiccans, High Priests, and Priestesses and some of their tools like grimoires, a cauldron, and robes. You can find chalices, wands, cloaks, tarot cards, Ouija boards, ritual knives, animal bones, and hides on display.
It was interesting to see news articles and write-ups from the past and see how the media addressed things like Pagan religion and occultism over the years.
There’s plenty of artwork on display showcasing different aspects of Magic, Witchcraft, and the occult like a pentagram or pentacle, a horned god, other deities, and astronomy.
During the tour, you are welcome to leave at any point if you are uncomfortable with no questions asked. Several people during our tour left after a quick walk-through of the museum after the introduction.
How long is the tour of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick?
The Museum of Witchcraft & Magick tour typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour. You are free to leave at any time and ultimately, the time spent depends on your interest level.
Special Events at the Buckland Museum
Buckland Museum hosts special events throughout the year. Learn how to craft an altar broom, or crystal gazing from a visiting witch. Or attend lectures about love spells, or the full-moon while meeting other practitioners. For the current event calendar, check their Facebook and the website’s events page on their website.
During the Halloween season, they have a special lecture on the History of Halloween on Sept 28th and a lecture on the occult in art on Oct 6th.
My Thoughts on The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick
I enjoyed our visit to the Buckland Museum and learned a lot about different Pagan religions. I appreciated Steven’s openness in answering our questions during our time with him. I’d like to go back at some point to learn more since they do rotate exhibits.
If you plan on visiting and doing the tour, please be respectful and remember this is a religion that is practiced today. Whatever your personal beliefs are, be polite and considerate.
Nearby Attractions:
For ideas of places to visit in and around Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick, check out:
Nearby Otherworldly Attractions:
Mansfield is perfectly placed between Cleveland and Columbus. This means multiple attractions that can help you get into the Halloween spirit just a short drive away.
Attractions Near Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick:
Dog-friendly Attractions near Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick:
- Worden’s Ledges
- Cuyahoga Valley National Park
- Bridal Veil Falls (Bedford Reservation)
- DogHouse Hotel and Brewery
Why You Should Visit the Buckland Museum:
I love traveling because I get to see how other people live and learn about different views, religions, and ways of life. The best way to learn about Wicca is from someone who practices it instead of through movies and books that demonize and dramatize it.
I had no idea how many different ways Paganism is practiced today and the differences between them. If you are serious about learning more about other cultures, this is a great stop- even if you don’t do the museum tour. Just remember to go into the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick with a willingness to listen, respect, and without preconceived notions.
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