On Monday 12 December, Dr Emily Hayes explored the lantern slide collections of the Society in the latest of the Society’s Be Inspired talks.
The Be Inspired talks aim to kindle interest from members and non-members alike in using the Society’s rich resources for study or enjoyment.
In her talk, In a geographical light, Dr Hayes showcased the A Million Pictures LUCERNA magic lantern project and highlighted the shaping of 19th and early-20th century geographical knowledge via the Society’s lantern practices and extensive lantern slide collections.
The magic lantern was the most important visual entertainment tool and means of instruction across 19th century Europe. A Million Pictures is a collaborative research project which seeks to address the sustainable preservation of this massive, untapped heritage resource. Working with libraries and museums holding tens of thousands of lantern slides in their collections, including the Society, the project is digitising lantern slide collections; conducting further research into the extent and scope of collections; putting together standards for documentation and preservation; and promoting the recognition of the lantern slide’s heritage value and potential exploitation.
Dr Hayes recently completed her PhD on the Society’s lantern slide collections, as part of the Society’s AHRC-funded Collaborative Doctoral Award programme.