2025
Join magician, actor and author Rory Rennick (facebook.com/roryrennick/) for a captivating talk exploring his journey from magic and mystery to uncovering hidden histories in playing cards. Rennick is the world’s leading authority on Henry “Box” Brown and the foremost expert on African diaspora and Black-imaged playing cards — holding the largest known collection and publishing the only research of its kind. Expect surprises along the way!
2025
The Ohio History Connection will host speakers on topics relating to state history in a new monthly series beginning at 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave.
“Speaking of History … From Entertainment to Enlightenment” will feature magician-actor Rory Rennick, an authority on Black-imaged playing cards and Henry “Box” Brown, an enslaved man who escaped by shipping himself to freedom in a wooden box.Learn more about Rory Rennick by visiting his website and following him on Instagram and Facebook.
2024
2024 Black History Month programs can be seen on OhioChannel.org. Search for “Black History Month.”
Feb. 6, 2024- The Lincoln School Story.
The Ohio Humanities documentary follows a group of mothers and their children, the Lincoln School Marchers, in Southwest Ohio.
Feb. 13, 2024- The Underground Railroad.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library will talk about Ohioans’ role in this brave fight for freedom and teach participants how to find homes on the Underground Railroad route.
2023
The life of Henry “Box” Brown, an enslaved man who shipped himself in a box to freedom in 1849 comes to the Mishler Theatre stage at 7 p.m. July 29 for a non-ticketed performance.
Magician, actor and author Rory Rennick of Columbus, Ohio, brings his one-man show “Henry Box Brown: The Life and Legacy Event.” Doors open at 6:30 p.m. It is recommended for children ages 12 and older due to the mature theme of slavery.
2023
Learn more about Rory Rennick by visiting his website and following him on Instagram and Facebook.
2021
Magic historians have consistently overlooked the significant contributions Black magicians have made to the craft. Perhaps no magician in history has a more fascinating backstory than Henry “Box” Brown. Born into slavery, Brown mailed himself to freedom in a box, and then became an accomplished touring magician. To help us recount Brown’s fascinating life, Jay enlists Henry’s biographer, Rory Rennick.
2021
Henry Brown was a slave in the 1850’s who thought of a very novel and magical way to disappear. Magician Rory Rennick has done extensive research on this amazing piece of history.
Backstage S.A.M. is hosted by Bruce Kalver and presented thanks to a grant from The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund. Support the podcast by joining the S.A.M. at www.magicsam.com
2020
Rory Rennick shares his personal journey as he catalogs different representations of black men and women pictured on playing cards. He helps playing card enthusiasts better understand the history behind racially charged imagery. Rennick educates us on how these ideas were formulated, propagated, and evolved over time.
