Lectures on Tap - "Ghosts in the Frame: A History of Spirit Photography"

Join us for an engaging evening where professors, experts, and storytellers bring their thought-provoking lectures to your favorite bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn!

Hosted by the Lectures on Tap team.

🗓️ Date: October 13th, 2025

🕡 Time: 6:30 PM

📍 Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn (exact address given in confirmation email)

📚 Lecture: "Ghosts in the Frame: A History of Spirit Photography"

🎤 Speaker: Prof. JR Pepper

Have you ever wondered if a photographer could truly capture the image of your deceased loved one? In the 1860s, many people believed just that. This lecture will dive into the world of spirit photography, where photographers like William Mumler claimed to take pictures of ghosts, convincing countless individuals they could communicate with the spirit realm.

Despite criticism from skeptics, including the famous P.T. Barnum, who debunked the practice in a dramatic trial, belief in Mumler's "ghosts" persisted. We will explore the peak of spirit photography, the influential Spiritualism movement, and the methods used to create these ethereal images.

JR Pepper is an adjunct professor of art history at CUNY Brooklyn College and a self-described 'professional eccentric.' With a BA and an MA in art history, her expertise lies in Surrealism and spirit photography. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the intriguing intersection of art, belief, and the supernatural with JR Pepper!

Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌

Agenda

6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating!), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key.

6:55 PM – Host introduction

7:00 PM – Lecture begins

7:45 PM – Audience Q&A

8:00 PM – Have 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round

8:30 PM – Wrap up.

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