All events must be booked two weeks in advance and may be booked up to six months in advance. | Event Information |
|
Author Event! "Spiritualism in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans," Melissa Daggett | |
|
|
Event Type: Adults Age Group(s): Adults Date: 7/6/2017 Start Time: 7:00 PM End Time: 8:30 PM Description: Melissa Daggett, an instructor of United States history at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, will discuss her new book, “Spiritualism in Nineteenth Century New Orleans,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5 at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.
Library: East Bank Regional Library
Map
Modern American spiritualism blossomed in the 1850s and continued as a viable faith into the 1870s. Because of its diversity and openness to new cultures and religions, New Orleans, provided fertile ground to nurture spiritualism, and many séance circles flourished in the Creole Faubourgs of Treme and Marigny as well as the American sector of the city. Melissa Daggett focuses on Le Cercle Harmonique, the francophone séance circle of Henry Louis Rey (1831-1894), a Creole of color who was a key civil rights activist, author, and Civil War and Reconstruction leader. His life has so far remained largely in the shadows of New Orleans history, partly due to a language barrier. “Spiritualism in Nineteenth-Century New Orleans” focuses on the turbulent years between the late antebellum period and the end of Reconstruction. Translating and interpreting numerous primary sources and one of the only surviving registers of séance proceedings. Daggett has opened a window into a fascinating life as well as a period of tumult and change. She provides insights into the history of the Creoles of color and renders a better understanding of New Orleans’ complex history. The author weaves a tale of the supernatural, of chaotic postbellum politics, of transatlantic linkages, and of the personal triumphs and tragedies of Rey as a notable citizen and medium. The book includes illustrations, reproductions of the original spiritual communications and photographs, many of which have never before appeared in published form, accompany this study of Rey and his world. Melissa Daggett lives in Houston and New Orleans. She is an instructor of United States history at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. Her work has appeared in Louisiana History. Location: Napoleon Room Contact: Chris Smith Contact Number: 504-889-8143 Presenter: Chris Smith |