In part one of this two-part series on Spiritualism, the medium is the message. We talk about the history of the 19th-century Spiritualist movement and its significance in American culture. Quest explains how seances were performed and tells us about big names in the business such as the Fox sisters, the Davenport Brothers, and D.D. Home.

Tune in to part two for a continued discussion of Spiritualism and its connection with the development of the technology and art of photography.

Make contact:

@ghostswerepeopletoo

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Bibliography

“Chapter 4: The Victorians and Spiritualism; or, The Seance is Born” from Calling the Spirits by Lisa Morton

“The Medium on the Stage: Theatricality and Performance in the Spirit Séance” from Supernatural Entertainments by Simone Natale

Spectres of the Self by Shane McCorristine (Ch 5 and Epilogue)

Ghosts of Futures Past by Molly McGarry (Ch 1)