Paul Nielsen Joins Board
of American Museum of Magic

The American Museum of Magic is pleased to announce that Paul Nielsen has been elected to serve on its Board of Trustees. Paul is an avid magic performer and owner of Wunderground Magic in Metro Detroit. He has been performing magic since he was nine. “I first discovered magic when given a set by my uncle,” Paul said. “It's one of the sets that used to be on the museum's second floor. I practiced those tricks and tried them out on my parents, sisters, anyone who would watch, and even though I wasn't very good, I loved the fascination they would share as I altered what was real.”

Nielsen took a short hiatus from magic to get a Ph.D. in computer science, serve on the faculty of a major university, and found a software company that builds massive-scale simulations. Paul has authored over fifty papers, articles, and book chapters and does lectures on the history of magic. “Now, I like to share my magic and help others to learn and perform well. I sell and teach and mentor and write and produce and promote the art in every way I know how”.

“Paul Nielsen adds further depth to the considerable talent already represented on the American Museum of Magic’s Board of Trustees,” said Board Chair Dr. Bradley Taylor. “What attracted us to Paul was his undeniable success as a business owner, his knowledge of the performing community of magicians, and his obvious enthusiasm for the field. Many people won’t know that Paul Nielsen has longstanding experience working with non-profits in the Detroit area. Here’s someone who understands the need to support the efforts of non-profits and has shown his commitment to doing so. Paul formerly served on the faculty of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He’s obviously a very sharp guy and the museum will be better for his involvement. He’s already shown tremendous interest in bringing more performance to Marshall and in making sure the museum helps raise the profile of magic performance across the region.”

The American Museum of Magic Museum has recently transitioned from a private collection to a non-profit public museum with the passing of its founders, Bob and Elaine Lund, in 1995 and 2006, respectively. A thirteen member Board of Trustees, drawn from around the region and carefully recruited from a variety of professional backgrounds, has charted a new course for the museum that will guide its development into a prominent institution that preserves the memories and traditions of both small town and world-renowned performers, highlighting their contributions to popular culture. An impressive collection of artifacts, illusions, documents, books and memorabilia interprets four centuries of magic and magicians from throughout the world. It is the largest museum of its kind open to the public in the United States, and has been referred to as the “Smithsonian of American Magic.”

The American Museum of Magic is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday in June, July and August, and Thursday through Saturday during the months of April, May, September and October. (Adults $5/Children $3.50). Tours by appointment can be scheduled by calling (269) 781-7570.

The mission of the American Museum of Magic is to inspire and delight the public with the wonder of magic, as well as to document and celebrate the contributions and resilience of the magician.

Jeff Taylor