In Camp & Field 1861-1865: The Civil War Through the Lenses of the Stereopticon
Sep 28, 2023
Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation are pleased to partner and co-host a historical and unique audio-visual experience at the George Spangler Farm & Field Hospital for area residents and visitors to Gettysburg Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. From 6 until 7 p.m., historian and musician Tyrone Cornbower will bring to life a unique form of entertainment from the past—the “magic lantern” during his presentation of In Camp & Field 1861-1865: The Civil War Through the Lenses of the Stereopticon.
With the George Spangler Farm as the historic backdrop, guests can step back in time for a historical audio-visual experience reminiscent of magic lantern shows of the past. Guests can view images from original magic lantern slides projected through the lenses of an 1890s stereopticon, accompanied with narration and music played on an 1880s portable parlor organ. Cornbower is the operator and narrator for the evening, along with Sue Cornbower providing music on the organ.
Tyrone Cornbower
Cornbower, a living historian and musician, has been a member of the 87th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Reenactors Association, Calvert Arms Fife and Drum Corps, and the 11th Pennsylvania Fife and Drum Corps. He is also an active volunteer with Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation. Cornbower has shared his knowledge, displays and period fife tunes with visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center.
The "magic lantern" shows utilizing the stereopticon, combine projection of images mounted on glass slides with accompanying narration and music. This form of entertainment was one of the most popular during the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Illustration of a stereopticon in operation during a "magic lantern" show, 1880s
Limited seating is available for the Oct. 14 presentation, and a free admission ticket is required in advance. Free tickets can be obtained in advance at the Ticket Counter inside the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center, by calling the Gettysburg Foundation’s Guest Relations team, 717-334-2436, or by visiting GettysburgFoundation.org.
Located at 488 Blacksmith Shop Road, Gettysburg, Pa., the historic site will open its gate at 5:30 p.m. for guests to explore the 80-acre site with meticulously restored and rehabilitated original buildings from the Battle of Gettysburg. For the show, ticket holders may drive to the property where on-site parking is available.
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