PLEASE NOTE THE VENUE CHANGE BELOW! In the late 18th century, the scientist, balloonist, and showman Étienne-Gaspard Robertson created a sensation in Paris with the Fantasmagorie, a magic lantern show blending science and the occult. His innovation of a rear projected image and fantascope projector, designed to be wheeled along wooden tracks, created the illusion of diminutive ghosts and goblins slowly growing into gigantic form, as if stalking toward the astonished audience.
Magic lantern performers Dawn Elliott and Joel Schlemowitz have built a working fantascope with tracks and rear projection screen, along with scores of hand-painted slides, to recreate the full experience of the Fantasmagorie.
The phantasmagoria’s eerie repertoire includes a visit to a haunted graveyard, an appearance of The Bleeding Nun (from the gothic novel, The Monk), the head of Medusa (“as horrifying as ever”), ending with a midnight visit to a Witches’ Sabbath.
Due to the graphic nature of the historical storytelling and imagery depicted in this performance, we do not recommend this program for children under 13 years of age. Children under 18 years old must be supervised by an adult.
If you are interested in learning about some of our family-friendly offerings this Halloween season, please see our Calendar of Events.
Elliott and Schlemowitz’s Phantasmagoria has received the Dick Balzer Performance Award from the Magic Lantern Society UK.
Dawn Elliott and Joel Schlemowitz collaborate to combine history, art, and performance by way of the magic lantern show. Learn more at: https://www.magiclanternexhibition.com
About the Venue:
Due to extremely low temperatures expected on the evening of Saturday, October 17th, this performance has been moved indoors to the Crispell Memorial French Church at 60 Huguenot Street.
Seating is limited, so pre-registration is highly encouraged!
Please note that accessing the 1717 Crispell Memorial French Church may be difficult to those with limited mobility. If you would like more information on accessibility of the site, or assistance upon your arrival, please call us, Monday-Friday between the hours of 9 AM - 5 PM, prior to the date of the program, at (845) 255-1660.
Food is prohibited in the French Church. Beverages that are resealable or have lids will be allowed. Alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited in the building and on HHS grounds.
The DuBois Fort Visitor Center and Museum Shop (81 Huguenot Street) will be open from 5-7:30 pm on the evening the event. A restroom is located on the second floor of this building. Accessible restrooms are available in Deyo Hall at 6 Broadhead Avenue.
$16 General Admission
$12 Discounted Admission (For HHS members, seniors, students, active military personnel and their families, veterans, and youth 13-17 years of age)
$8 Children’s Admission (For children ages 7-12)
Free Admission (For children 6 years and under)
Historic Huguenot Street’s programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.