Ghost Mothers- Pop-up Mini Exhibit

Can you spot the “ghost” mothers in these photos? In this spooky mini-exhibit, discover some of the tricks used by Victorian moms to keep their infants still (and upright) during the often lengthy photographic process.

A pinched head, a woman’s disembodied hand, and suspiciously-placed drapery are all clues pointing to the presence of a mother determined to get the perfect photo of her child. Look for Ghost Mothers hidden in portraits of babies from the museum’s collection.