Five-Minutes of Background—Part 1

Welcome! In this virtual museum, we’ll teach you systematically about the incredible variety of magic lantern shows that were popular for two generations before the movies arrived in America in 1896, and for a generation afterwards. During that time the lantern played a critical role in American entertainment, popular education, religion, social reform, fraternal societies, current events, and more.

Start exploring magic lantern shows with this Introduction.  Then take the two Tours. See More Info for Scholarly Background, Links to other sites, Collecting Tips, a Kids’ Page, Who We Are,  How To See (or Book) a Show, as well as information and ways to buy our new book, Magic Lantern Art Click the images to enlarge.  Click “Archival Notes,” just below, for background.  Click here for a Note to Scholars.  And, finally, click “Next,” just below, to move to the next section.  Enjoy!

Next: What is a Magic Lantern?