Entertainment

Mid 18th Century Peep Show of a Garden Scene, c. 1750. Mart. Engelbrecht

Magic Lanterns & Peep Shows

Tracing the origins of optical entertainment through the 18th century. Those crazy kids loved to scare each other with phantasmagoria illusions and devilry.

This is actually the New York Palace Garden, 1858. There are very few images of New York’s pleasure gardens from the 18th century. (Source: NYPL)

Pleasure Gardens

The pleasure gardens of early New York were escapes from the bustle of the growing town.

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