Movie Night Exhibit Opens at Bryant Cottage State Historic Site

Oct 8, 2013 6:47 AM

Even before the invention of movies, families could enjoy a night out snacking on popcorn and root beer and gazing at a screen. They did it with “magic lanterns” that projected paintings and photographs, as a new exhibit at the Bryant Cottage State Historic Site, in Bement, will explain.

The exhibit, which runs throughout October, examines three types of magic lantern: glass slide projectors, 35mm film projectors and post card projectors.

In the days before electricity, the lanterns generated light by burning gas, oil or some other fuel, but they managed to produce vivid images. Sometimes they were used to scare or thrill audiences at magic shows. Other magic lantern shows were simply displays of eye-catching art and pictures.

Each month, a new display at Bryant Cottage examines a different piece of technology from the past. They range from relatively familiar gadgets like irons and curling irons to more unusual items such as parade torches and kerosene-lamp slide projectors.

The collection is on loan from a private individual who has been collecting kerosene-era items for many years.

The exhibit may be viewed Thursday - Sunday from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.

The 1856 Bryant Cottage is the spot where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas agreed on the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates. It is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency as an example of middle-class life in the 19th century.