The Spiritualism movement in America began a decade before the American Civil War and seemed to seize the imagination of many into the twentieth century. The basic premise that it was possible for the living to communicate with the dead was popularized by two sisters from Hydesville, New York – the Fox Sisters. Spiritualism has a deep and complex origin story that reaches back to the 18th century with the work of Emanuel Swedenborg, a Swedish scientist-theologian. Once begun, the Spiritualism movement manifested itself in many forms – including seances, spirit writing, Mesmerism and spirit camps.
The diverse elements of Spiritualism will be explored in a special exhibit October 23 through 25 at the Morgan-Manning House, 151 Main Street, Brockport. Genesee Community College students guided by Derek Maxfield, Associate Professor of History at GCC, will design a series of stations that guests are invited to tour from 6 to 8 p.m. each evening.
To cap off the event, Maxfield will deliver a lecture on Victorians and Spiritualism on Wednesday, October 25, at 7 p.m. The exhibit and lecture are free and open to the public, though donations to the Morgan-Manning House are encouraged.
For more information, contact the Morgan-Manning House at 585-637-3645, http://www.morganmanninghouse@gmail.com, or https://morganmanninghouse.org/contact.
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