Magic Lantern Castle Museum San Antonio, Texas

Mailing Address

1419 Austin Highway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Street Address

1419 Austin Highway
San Antonio, TX 78209

Phone: 210-805-0011
Fax: 210-822-1226
Email:
Web: www.magiclanterns.org

Museum Hours

By request or invitation.

History

p>The Magic Lantern Castle Museum was opened/completed in spring 1992.

Artifacts Collections

The Magic Lantern Castle Museum contains exhibits of many hundreds of items of equipment, glass slides, illustrations, prints, and other items that relate to the history of the magic lantern (lantern slide projector) and scientific optic projection apparatus from the 1700s to 1900s. In addition, there are many hundreds of similar items in storage.

To the author's knowledge, this is the only museum in the world that is solely dedicated to this subject. Collection items have been used worldwide and span approximately 250 years. It is the only extensive resource available on this subject. Sub-collections include early radios, quack medical devices, and other techno-related items.

Research Collections

There is a fairly extensive library of original catalogues, books, prints, illustrations, etc. from the 19th century, plus extensive files of information on the subject of magic lantern equipment and usage from the 1600s to present.

All materials in the museum are available for research for serious researchers with reasonable advance notice.

Library

Open to scholars; numerous 19th- and 20th-century books, catalogues, papers, publications, patent references in the hundreds; does not circulate print materials; appointment necessary.

Visual reference collection: slides, black and white prints. Numerous items are being catalogued in computers via scanner and then catalogued in CDs. 40-50% of permanent collection documented HDWE, 5% images.

Contact Director about rights and reproduction; duplication fees are cost of copies and transport; must credit museum when using image.

Appointment required: False

Services

Facilities

5,000 square feet - exhibit building; 2,500 square feet - library/office building; 4,000+square feet exhibition area; 50-person auditorium/lecture hall/performance area; wheelchair-accessible.

Programs

Gallery tours, lectures, in-house and out lectures, in-house tours, demonstrations; possibly available for loan/tour; extracts may be usable by other institutions; fees are dependent on material, but generally cost of reproduction, transport, credits, and maybe thanks.

Staff

Jack Judson, CEO, Director, Curator, Historian


Museum Type

Specialized

Governance

Type: Privately owned and funded



Click here to provide additional information or report incorrect data on this page.

By accessing the MuseumsUSA site, a user agrees not to redistribute the information found therein.

Museum Info courtesy of Texas Association of Museums.

This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.