Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Over a century ago, daredevil Bobby Leach hopped inside a fully riveted, 1/2-inch steel barrel for his trip over Niagara Falls in 1911.
Today, after a forklift successfully situated the device at the nearby Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University, the barrel joins a number of artifacts from the famed falls’ history that are part of a recognition of iconic feats.
Advertisem*nt
“Daredevils of Niagara Falls: The Spectacle of Triumph and Tragedy” — an exhibition opening Wednesday at Castellani — reexamines daredevils’ acts that are ingrained in the famed falls’ history, from enduring barrel trips down the natural wonder to tightrope walks over the waters below.
Visitors can explore a dynamic range of objects, such as the rubber ball Joseph Albert “Jean” Lussier used to go over the falls in 1928, a piece of rope from one of acrobat Charles Blondin’s walks over the Niagara Gorge, and a vintage photo display that tourists used to look as if they were going “over the falls in a barrel.”
It’s unlike your traditional art exhibition, according to Michael J. Beam, Castellani’s curator of exhibitions and special projects.
“They’re all, in a way, performance artists. But instead of performing by painting your body or doing performance dance or making something, they’re literally risking their life for their art,” said Beam, who added that the daredevils deserve “respect” for their work.
Advertisem*nt
Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Beam said the exhibition “really embodies” the spirit of Phineas T. Barnum, known for his circus as well as his New York City museum of curiosities.
“The idea of daredevils is real exciting; it’s glorious, but there’s a dark side to it, too, so I tried to incorporate some of the darker aspects that people don’t always think of,” he said.
One such artifact is the “Red Hill” Life Saving Grappler, a device that daredevil and rescuer William “Red” Hill Sr. used to rescue people and retrieve bodies from the Niagara River.
Advertisem*nt
The device from Hill, who the museum notes saved 28 people and recovered the bodies of 177 others, consists of a wood box holding ropes with lead weights and steel hooks that he would use to lasso bodies and pull them in.
Hill Jr., who became a daredevil like his father, died in 1951 after attempting to go over Horseshoe Falls — the largest of Niagara’s three waterfalls — in a barrel-like creation dubbed “The Thing.”
The U.S. and Canada, following his death, would make it illegal for daredevils to take part in such acts at Niagara Falls.
Nik Wallenda would later get approval from both countries’ governments ahead of his tightrope walk over the falls in 2012.
Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Advertisem*nt
Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
The exhibition also highlights lesser-known daredevils, such as Martha Wagenfuhrer, a native of nearby Buffalo, who became the first woman to go through the rapids and Niagara Whirlpool in a barrel in September 1901.
But her act, which she planned to do during President William McKinley’s visit to town, was delayed, and her eventual launch was met with lessened attention as the press had flocked to Buffalo due to McKinley’s assassination.
Wagenfuhrer’s trip arrived just before Anna “Annie” Edson Taylor became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls the next month.
Outside of 100-plus-year-old acts, the exhibition toys with the contemporary, as visitors can watch a screening of alternative rock band Primus’ 1997 video for “Over the Falls,” which pays homage to Leach.
Advertisem*nt
Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
Courtesy of Jacob Sherman | Via Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University
“Daredevils” merges works from the museum’s Charles Rand Penney Historical Niagara Falls Print Collection, which includes the first known print of the falls, with artifacts from the former Niagara Falls Museum and Daredevil Hall of Fame owned by Jacob Sherman, a descendent of the latter museum which closed its doors in 1998.
“This part of history doesn’t seem to be getting a lot of attraction,” said Beam, who noted that some of the exhibition hasn’t been seen in 25 years.
“Tourists, I think, have been really thirsty for attention to Niagara Falls daredevil history. It’s been three years in the works, but now we have the opportunity to share that with millions of people who come to the falls.”
Advertisem*nt
Castellani will host an opening reception for “Daredevils” on June 6, and the exhibition will run through Oct. 13.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circ*mstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
