The exhibit, "It All Began With Magic Lanterns," is on loan from the Museum of American Heritage in Palo Alto.
The "magic" happened as the magic lantern illuminated pictures painted on glass plates. The projected images appeared "magically" on a wall or screen. The plates may have contained one image, or a series of several small pictures, and were usually used to illustrate a narrated story.
The early lanterns were illuminated by burning kerosene or acetylene, or later, by electricity. On display are examples of units for home, school and commercial use, spanning a time period from the 1850s through World War I.
The Los Altos History House is located at 51 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, behind the main library. It is open Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The house will be decorated for the holidays in 1930's era style, and tea will be served during the month of December.
For more information, call 948-9427.