Decipher our collections,
discover hidden archives
and contribute to knowledge

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this expedition may contain images, and names of deceased persons. Some material in this expedition may contain content such as images, words, descriptions and terms which may be culturally sensitive and that reflect an authors’ views, or those of the period in which the content was created, but may not be considered appropriate today.

This expedition aims to transcribe the Australian Museum's Register of glass lantern slides. The register was started in 1909 by WW Thorpe. 

A lantern slide is a positive transparency sandwiched between two pieces of glass and held together with paper tape. Lantern slides were made to be shown using lantern slide projectors for entertainment or educational lectures.

Lectures at the Australian Museum began with popular themed gallery demonstrations predominately delivered to Public School teachers and students in the Museum. In 1905, the Trustees noticed the importance of equipping the Museum with a lecture theatre. The demonstrations “proved so attractive and were so well patronised, that when additions were made to the building in 1910 a lecture theatre was provided.”