It has been 170 years, almost to the day that one of the most prominent religious movements of the 19th century began in the bedroom of two young girls living in a farmhouse in Hydesville, New York. On March 31st, 1848, Margaretta “Maggie” Fox and Kate, her 11 year old sister, along with their mother, Margaret, held the first demonstration of communicating with the spirit world.
It was the beginnings of Spiritualism. The Finger Lakes region of New York State also gave birth to Mormonism and Millerism, the precursor to Seventh Day Adventism.
The Saltbox home is no longer standing, but there is a memorial located on its very foundation in Hydesville at 1510 Hydesville Rd, Newark, New York.
More information can be found by viewing our Modern Spiritualism & the Fox Sisters display at the Museum.