The April meeting of the NHSM Archaeology Club*….

Shortly after the birth of photography and coinciding with the end of the Civil War, curious images began appearing in people’s photographic portraits. These images often included hazy figures hovering in the background, or translucent forms waiting nearby. What was peculiar about these portraits, is that not all the subjects were present, or even alive.  And so began one of the most compelling and controversial periods of photographic history. Were the spirit photographer’s fraudulent swindlers, preying on people’s grief? Or had they truly captured something or someone otherworldly?

Spirit Photography: the art or practice of producing images upon a photosensitive surface. In some cases, said images are said to resemble the pre-mortem state of those now dead. The forces aiding the appearance of such images are not understood. -Fred Gettings, Ghosts in Photographs

Sherry Insley is an artist and teacher at a local arts magnet high school, where she enchants teenagers with the magic of the darkroom and film photography. A graduate of MICA, she has worked as a professional photographer and art educator for over 20 years. Sherry is an avid collector of curiosities, particularly Victorian mourning jewelry. She has always been fascinated by the occult, scoundrels, scammers, and people who accidentally took pictures of real ghosts.

Registration

  • NHSM Archaeology Club Member: $0
  • Non-Member Suggested Donation : $5
  • Non-Member COVID Relief Option : $0

To register for this event, please follow this link: https://www.marylandnature.org/get-involved/events/event/spirit-photography-fact-or-fraud/

* Natural History Society of Maryland’s Archaeology Club promotes the value of archaeology in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding areas. The goal of the Archaeology Club is to educate citizenry in the ethics, methods, and artifact preservation methods of archaeology and how archaeology can be used to document, discover, and promote local history. The Archaeology Club is inclusive to all persons who have an interest in archaeology.
Normally, Club meetings, trips and other activities are open solely to Club Members. However, during COVID, NHSM is opening up this meeting to all, though we are asking for a $5 donation from non-members. If you are an archaeology enthusiast, please consider joining us. You must be a member of NHSM to join any of its clubs. Follow this link to learn more: https://www.marylandnature.org/club-membership/
The Natural History Society of Maryland is a volunteer-led non-profit organization, so the fee you pay will go directly to support the programs, the nature collections, and the building that make this kind of nature education possible.