On May 11th, 1896, William Heise, an assistant for Thomas Edison, was testing a new camera and filmed “Herald Square” in New York City. There was no plot, no story, no characters, and just a few minutes long. This was the first film shot in NYC and only the beginning for cinema. Movie-lovers rejoice!

Stop by the museum to make your own thaumatrope! The thaumatrope, invented in 1826 by the English physician J.A. Paris, is an optical toy that creates a moving image when the instrument is twirled. By drawing an image on the front and back of a piece of paper, you can make a “moving image” when twisted. This was a popular 19th century toy and an early introduction to film.

All ages welcome!

Hands-on History is a FREE family program series held each first and third Saturday of the month at King Manor from 1-4pm.