This week, we reached the culmination of our trip to Cornwall, stepping into the legendary Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle. We had the incredible privilege of being welcomed into the museum's archive by director Simon Costin for a deep and fascinating conversation about the past, present, and future of this one-of-a-kind institution.

Simon began by sharing the museum's unexpected origins, revealing that it was founded in 1951 by an MI5 spy named Cecil Williamson. He explained how Cecil's goal was to balance sensational displays—what he called "giving people what they expected"—with a genuine collection of magical artifacts that would appeal to real practitioners. This led to a famous clash with Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca, who felt the exhibits were too sensational and was using the museum to promote his own beliefs. This dynamic tension has been a part of the museum's story ever since.

Simon has steered the museum's mission toward a more academic and nuanced approach. He talks about his belief that magical objects resist being "straightjacketed" into simple categories and that a curatorial philosophy of "hinting" at an object's purpose is far more respectful of its true power. He drew a beautiful analogy, saying that trying to categorize magic is "like measuring a cloud with a ruler." It's an approach that honors the multifaceted nature of magic, where an object used to curse can also be used to heal.

One of the most striking parts of our conversation was Simon's discussion of the "courtship" he has with the collection. He explained that some of the magical objects in the museum's care have a caveat: they need to be regularly "charged" or used in ritual practice. Unlike other museums where nothing leaves a case, these items are taken out to ensure they retain their energy. This is a vital part of their preservation and care. Simon also revealed that while he feels a deep kinship with the collection, he does find some objects unsettling—like a particular Blackthorn blasting rod that he would prefer not to have pointed at him!

The conversation then moved to the uncanny and the paranormal. Simon, who now lives at Dockacre, a house he describes as "the most haunted house in North Cornwall," shared his own experiences with objects that move themselves, often playfully, without being seen. He also recalled a bizarre story from the museum where a recurring spider's web seemed to deliberately block the security camera, preventing anything from being recorded.

Finally, Simon told us about his other major project: the Museum of British Folklore. This long-term passion project aims to establish the UK's first dedicated museum for seasonal customs and events, and Simon explained the challenges of building a museum "from the bottom up," where the knowledge and traditions belong to the people, not the academics.

For a podcast that explores the weird and uncanny, this conversation was the perfect conclusion to our Cornish journey.

To hear all the incredible details and our full chat, listen to the latest Wyrd Wessex podcast episode.

You can also visit the museum for yourself in Boscastle, and check out Simon’s work on the touring Museum of British Folklore exhibitions!