NEWSLETTER
New Paltz, NY (October 8, 2026) – Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz, NY will present Elliott and Schlemowitz’s "Phantasmagoria," a magic lantern show, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
In the late 18th century, the scientist, balloonist, and showman Étienne-Gaspard Robertson created a sensation in Paris with the Fantasmagorie, a magic lantern show blending science and the occult. His innovation of a rear projected image and fantascope projector, designed to be wheeled along wooden tracks, created the illusion of diminutive ghosts and goblins slowly growing into gigantic form, as if stalking toward the astonished audience.
Magic lantern performers Dawn Elliott and Joel Schlemowitz have built a working fantascope with tracks and rear projection screen, along with scores of hand-painted slides, to recreate the full experience of the Fantasmagorie.
The phantasmagoria’s eerie repertoire includes a visit to a haunted graveyard, an appearance of The Bleeding Nun (from the gothic novel, The Monk), the head of Medusa (“as horrifying as ever”), ending with a midnight visit to a Witches’ Sabbath.
In the event of inclement weather, the presentation will be postponed to Sunday, October 25th.
Due to the graphic nature of the historical storytelling and imagery depicted in this performance, we do not recommend this program for children under 13 years of age. Children under 18 years old must be supervised by an adult.
About the Venue:
This presentation will be taking place on the lawn behind the Jacob (“Jean”) Hasbrouck House (69 Huguenot Street) under the night sky. Picnic tables and bistro sets will be available, but limited. We highly encourage registrants to bring comfortable camping chairs and blankets.
The DuBois Fort Visitor Center and Museum Shop, located at 81 Huguenot street, will be open from 5-9 pm on the evening the event. A restroom is located on the second floor of this building. Accessible restrooms are available in Deyo Hall at 6 Broadhead Avenue.
The Museum Shop will have bottled water, coffee, and hot apple cider available for purchase. Alcohol and smoking are strictly prohibited. However, other food and beverage are welcome. Please be respectful to our grounds and use receptacles to dispose of your trash.
This program will be $16 General Admission, $12 Discounted Admission (For HHS members, seniors, students, active military personnel and their families, veterans, and youth 13-17 years of age), $8 Children’s Admission (For children ages 7-12), Free Admission (For children 6 years and under).
Elliott and Schlemowitz’s Phantasmagoria has received the Dick Balzer Performance Award from the Magic Lantern Society UK.
Dawn Elliott and Joel Schlemowitz collaborate to combine history, art, and performance by way of the magic lantern show. Learn more at: https://www.magiclanternexhibition.com
To register for this program visit: huguenotstreet.org/calendar-of-events/2026/10/17/phantasmagoria
Historic Huguenot Street’s programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
About Historic Huguenot Street
A National Historic Landmark District, Historic Huguenot Street (HHS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving a pre-Revolutionary Hudson Valley settlement and engaging diverse audiences in the exploration of America's multicultural past, in order to understand the historical forces that have shaped America. As an educational institution founded by the town’s French-speaking Protestant descendants and chartered by the University of the State of New York Department of Education, HHS explores the lives of the early European colonists, honors the region’s Indigenous people, and acknowledges the enslaved and disenfranchised peoples who built this place. Today, HHS is recognized as an innovative museum and community gathering place, providing visitors with an inclusive presentation of our shared past.
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