The Spiritualist Century of Dr. James Martin Peebles
(Presented on July 9, 2024, at the History Center in Douglas MI)
What was Spiritualism? Why was it an attractive alternative to more established religions in 19th and early 20th century America? How did it connect to other cultural and social currents such as abolitionism, alternative medicine, and women's suffrage?
Dr. Brian Wilson - https://wmich.edu/religion/directory/... - Professor of Comparative Religion at Western Michigan University, explores these questions and more through the career of Dr. James Martin Peebles, who began his Spiritualist ministry in Battle Creek, Michigan. Peebles' life story provides a unique window into the meteoric rise and decline of the Spiritualist movement in America.
Names mentioned include James Martin Peebles, Andrew Jackson Davis, Fox Sisters, and John Harvey Kellogg. Locations include Hydesville (NY), Battle Creek (MI), Hammonton (NJ), and San Jose (CA). Topics include spiritualism, spheres, universalism, seances, medium, Summer Land, camp meetings, Progressionism, Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, eclectic medicine, sanitarium, psychics cures, and patent medicines.
The mission of the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center (SDHC) - https://www.mySDhistory.org - is to preserve local history and inspire learning to inform and improve our community. We were founded as the S-D Historical Society in 1986. Today, we are a volunteer-run organization 700+ members strong that saves and shares the stories of the greater Saugatuck-Douglas area.
This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. The SDHC also receives support from the Allegan County Community Foundation Legacy Grant program. Most of all, we rely on members for all we do; join us today at https://www.mySDhistory.org/