Adopt an Object – the marvellous Magic Lantern

Did you know you can help Horsham Museum & Art Gallery by adopting one of a dozen objects? It’s a great idea for Christmas or a birthday.

The money raised through this scheme helps fund important projects at the museum, such as the conservation of our collection and the purchase of important objects.

Over the next few weeks we will be looking at the 12 objects in detail, starting with this magnificent Magic Lantern!

The Magic Lantern was an early image projector that used glass transparent plates on which were added photos, paintings or prints. A light source was used to project the image through a lens on to a screen or wall.

These lanterns were used extensively during the 18th to early 20th centuries for talks and presentations to the public.

The Museum’s magic lantern originates from the early 1900s and bears the name W.M.S.S Union, 2-3 Ludgate Circus, London.

This refers to the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School Union which produced a series of slides with a religious theme to educate children and made magic lanterns through which to project them.

You can adopt this object via our web page and following the instructions.