Historical Object
Spiritualist's Seance Robe
| A seance robe worn by Louise Parke during her work as a Spiritualist in Wisconsin. |
| Image ID: | 102757 |
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| Creation Date: | date unknown |
| Creator Name: | Harvieux, Rachel |
| City: | |
| County: | |
| State: | Wisconsin |
| Collection Name: | WHS Museum Collection |
| Genre: | Historical Object |
| Original Format Type: | object |
| Original Format Number: | 1958.650 |
| Original Dimensions: | unknown |
| Louise (Kingsley) Parke was a member of a Madison family well known for their ability to communicate with the deceased. Her father, George P. Kingsley, had been a prominent doctor and clairvoyant known for his healing skills until his death in 1917. Louise, described as "ever a close companion of her father," inherited his "clairvoyant and spiritual powers." The Kingsley family did not see themselves as crack-pots or quacks, but rather as practicing members of the Spiritualist faith that promoted a belief that human souls survive death as spirits who can speak to the living through "sensitives" or "mediums." Louise, who considered herself a medium and believed her spirit contact to be the American Indian Black Hawk, wore this homemade white cotton robe and hood, which bear an unfortunate resemblance to a Ku Klux Klan outfit, while holding her séances. |
| Spiritualism |
| Indoor photography |
| Clothing and dress |
| This image is issued by the Wisconsin Historical Society. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. The user is responsible for all issues of copyright. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society. |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
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