Origins: 1947–60 Museum of Witchcraft and Magic

a sculpture of horned god of wicca @ museum

after second world war, former film producer cecil williamson decided move museum business, and—probably influenced personal interest—decided open 1 devoted subject of witchcraft. williamson tried open museum hold collection of witchcraft , occult artifacts in stratford-upon-avon in 1947, faced local opposition , had abandon plans. decided open in castletown on isle of man, area had folklore surrounding fairies , witches, tourist season, , local laws congenial establishment of museum. had set in dilapidated old mill known locally witches mill had purchased in 1948, and, @ advice of wife, opened adjacent restaurant, known witches kitchen.

the museum first named folklore centre of superstition , witchcraft. launch of museum timed coincide government s repeal of witchcraft , vagrancy acts in june 1951. in interview sunday pictorial newspaper, williamson claimed friends @ least dozen witches, , had invited coven southern england come , practice rituals @ museum. historian ronald hutton deemed reference bricket wood coven based in hertfordshire , run wiccan gerald gardner. in press interviews, gardner described museum s resident witch , performed magical ritual @ museum s opening ceremony. williamson, press interest served promote museum, while gardner gave opportunity promote wicca @ safe distance main coven.

williamson had practical interest in magic, , in 1952 interview popular magazine illustrated described himself consultant on subject remove curses people, akin old cunning man. acknowledged knew many of these spells reading them in books. took interest in late ceremonial magician aleister crowley , wrote crowley s friend gerald yorke enquire whether send him instructions of crowley s rituals.

however, gardner fell out williamson on saw sensationalist displays. williamson, in retaliation, removed photograph of gardner display.

williamson sold museum gardner.