Spiritualism, Illusion, and the Beyond

September 20 – December 22, 2024

In 1848, a cultural phenomenon took root in a small town in upstate New York, born of the seemingly otherworldly experiences of two young sisters. This movement – spiritualism – quickly swept the nation and attracted both ardent followers and strident skeptics. A social religious movement in which the living seek communication with the dead through mediums, spiritualism remained popular into the early 20th century and still retains a following today.

This exhibition showcases books from the Athenæum’s Special Collections, exploring the ideas of spiritualism, illusion, and other means of connecting with the beyond, as well as materials relating to one of Providence’s most notable spiritualists – Sarah Helen Whitman.