By Calista Light
December 7, 2023

As part of an applied learning project, GCC History students, under the guidance of Professor Derek Maxfield, presented an exhibit on Spiritualism, a late nineteenth/early twentieth century movement in which people believed they could communicate with the dead. Students researched and presented on related topics including: seances, spirit photography, automatic writing, mesmerism, the Fox sisters, and modern spirit camps.

The event took place at the Morgan-Manning House, a historical home in Brockport, NY, from 6-8pm on October 23-25. Over the three nights, over 100 people circulated through the exhibit to listen to the students’ presentations. On Wednesday October 25th, the final night of the exhibit, Professor Maxfield gave a talk on the Victorians and Spiritualism, which had over 50 people in attendance.