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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! 

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 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.

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.

Two sides are battling over an issue on this fall’s ballot that attempts to lower the costs of prescription drugs. As expected big drug companies have landed right in the middle of the fight. But exactly who is funding that side remains a big question mark.

“Which pile do you want?” asks Rory Rennick, who’s performing some street magic at on Capitol Square in Columbus.

He has a tray table, a deck of cards and some fancy handwork.

“Count the cards in your hand.”

Rory Rennick, of Columbus, left to right, lets Anna eighth-grade teacher John Bruce, of Anna, get a taste of what it was like for former slave Henry Brown to escape his slave master in 1849 by shipping himself from Richmond, Va., to Philadelphia, Pa., which was a free state. Bruce shut in the box elicited a round of laughter from his Anna students. Watching is Rennick’s wife Angela Rennick, of Columbus, who takes part in Rennick’s performances as the character of Henry Brown. The performance/lesson was part of Civil War Day, hosted by the Shelby County Historical Society, at the Shelby County Fairgrounds Friday, May 5. Middle school students from around Shelby County came to learn about life in the U.S. around the time of the Civil War. Henry Brown was in the box for 27 hours. After gaining his freedom he spoke at abolitionist event. Then after men tried twice to abduct him he moved to England where he continued to speak and also did magic tricks.

On March 24, 1849, four men in the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society opened a wooden crate. Out staggered Henry Brown.

Brown, who had spent more than a day in the box after 33 years in slavery, sang a song of joyful deliverance and fainted.

The story of Henry “Box” Brown, as he thereafter was known, will be told by Rory Rennick in a way children can follow on Sunday at the Westerville Public Library.

The magician presents other shows as well, but during February — Black History Month — “I get more requests for this one,” he said.