Lecture to Profile Life of Trailblazing Woman Stage Magician

Editor's Note: The following release was submitted by the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society. If you would like to post your news to Patch, click here.

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Margaret Steele, a magician and historian, will conduct an unusual program entitled “Memoirs of a Magic Queen” on 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at The Little Red Schoolhouse, 297 Locust Avenue, Cortlandt Manor, New York.  Sponsored by The Van Cortlandtville Historical Society, the “magical” event is open free to the public.

A local author and editor, Ms. Steele will talk about the new book she compiled and edited--- Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic: Memoirs, Published Writings and Collected Ephemera. A world-recognized authority on Madame Herrmann, Ms. Steele will present a lecture rich with photos projected on screen and colorful magic posters.  She will also perform several of  Herrmann’s magical illusions!

This first-ever book on Madame Herrmann is a loving homage to the “Queen of Magic” and will be available for sale and signing by Ms. Steele at the program.  

Madame Herrmann (1853-1932) was a superstar of the Golden Age of Magic.  With her husband, the brilliant magician Alexander Herrmann, the beautiful and fiery Adelaide developed the first Grand Illusion show, playing worldwide to sold-out crowds for more than two decades.  Ms. Steele will relate the story of how Madame Herrmann’s legacy of magic fame surfaced in 2010 with discovery of the manuscript of her long-lost memoirs.   

The Little Red Schoolhouse is located at the northern end of Locust Avenue next to Old Saint Peter’s Church and cemetery, on the hill just south of Oregon Road in the Town of Cortlandt.

For more information, visit: www.vancort.net; or call, 914-736-7868.