Celebrate Archives Month at the Wagner Free Institute of Science as we showcase glass lantern slides from the special collections of six Philadelphia institutions during the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon on Wednesday, October 8th from 6:00-8:00 PM.

This year's salon will include slide collections from the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, The Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing, the Historical Society of Frankford, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the McLean Library Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Archives.

Predating the motion picture, lantern slides were used for entertainment, to document, and to illustrate educational programs and courses. The salon will be held in the Wagner's Victorian-era lecture hall using an original 1914 lantern slide projector. Take a step back in time when the Wagner revives an old technology for a rare glimpse into Philadelphia's past.

This program is part of Archives Month Philly which seeks to raise awareness of the value of historical records and collections.

Image credits from top to bottom:

• Svalbard, 1928, Amandus Johnson Collection, Historical Society of Pennsylvania
• Bishop White House, 309 Walnut Street, 1946. NPS Collection, Athenaeum of Philadelphia.
• “Iris Bowl” garden on the Lloyd estate, Haverford, PA circa 1930. McLean Library Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
• Stained Glass Study Gallery in Memorial Hall, ca. 1920s, Lantern Slide Collection, Philadelphia Museum of Art Archives.