Discover central New York’s part in 19th century social, religious and sexual radicalism; learn the history of the modern spiritualist movement; become bewitched by the strange story of the Fox sisters! All that and more on today’s episode of the Smellcast!
Please write to Toppie at Smellcast@aol.com. Leave a comment right here on Toppie’s blog. Friend Toppie Smellie on Facebook.

Seances and spirit manifestations became so popular in the latter part of the 19th century that the Davenport Brothers had great success on the vaudeville circuit.

A replica of the The Fox family home can be seen in Lily Dale New York, a community of Spiritualists near Buffalo, New York.
Click the link below to listen to the Smellcast, episode 119.
Tags: 19th century, burned over district, central new york, davenport brothers, fox sisters, gay podcast, ghosts, history, mormonism, rochester rappings, seance, smellcast, spirit world, spiritualism, toppie smellie
October 15, 2010 at 2:43 pm |
Interesting stuff!
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October 15, 2010 at 4:38 pm |
Thanks Bridget!!
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October 28, 2010 at 8:40 am |
Thanks for telling us that bit of history. That period from about 1850 to 1890 creeps the hell out of me. Shudder.
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October 29, 2010 at 3:52 am |
Those really were strange days indeed…
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