The Fox Sisters and the Hydesville Rappings
- Date of account
- 1848; public controversy through the late nineteenth century
- Location
- Hydesville, New York, and Rochester, New York
- Source
- model_recalled_reference
- Record updated
- 2026-10-10
Record summary
The Fox sisters became central figures in the emergence of modern Spiritualism after reported communications with a spirit through mysterious rappings at Hydesville in 1848. Their performances, public demonstrations, later confessions, retractions, and continuing supporters make the episode important for comparing séance culture, media construction, fraud allegations, and religious movements. The family’s activities are historically documented, but interpretations of the rappings vary. Later accounts often simplify a complicated history of performance, financial pressure, belief, and reputation.
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