The family story I never expected ...

Murray Dowding's Magic Lantern and Slides @ 1910,
Town Hall, Chipping Sodbury, UK  * Photo courtesy Rich McDonough, Bristol

This photograph is the result of an incredible family story that began in the early 1900s and ended last month, June, 2024. 

What does the photograph depict? 

My grandfather, Murray Dowding (1881-1966), was a well-known photographer and local historian in Chipping Sodbury, UK. 

The photograph at the top of the page shows Murray's "magic lantern" projector from @1910 and two boxes of his silver nitrate slides. These treasures finally found a permanent home after a 54 year wait, and are now on display in the Town Hall cabinet in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, UK, for all time. 

Image: Murray Dowding's photo of "The Ancient Parish Chest" @ 1910.

The long, black object below Murray's lantern is the 15th century "Parish Chest," which once held birth, death, and marriage certificates, along with landholder title papers. An historical and irreplaceable treasure. On the wall above, the Town motto, and not shown, the town seal and crest.

How did Murray's lantern and slides end up in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall? 

Long ago, after my grandmother died in 1970, Murray's magic lantern and two boxes of his slides were saved from the garbage. A kind (and wise) local man thought that "someone would want them one day," and stowed them away in his cottage attic. 

Fast forward to August 2023, when thanks to a Canada Council Research and Creation grant, I traveled to England to research a children's book about WWII. One day, local photographer and historian Rich McDonough drove me to the countryside to visit someone who "wanted to meet me." 

We arrived at a beautiful 12th century Cotswolds cottage, and an incredible surprise was waiting: two older people who knew my grandfather! And more, they had Murray's magic lantern and slides in their living room!

The biggest surprise of all? Their exact words to me: "We've been the custodians of your grandfather's treasures for over 50 years Philippa, but they really belong to you."

Did I cry? Oh, I tried so hard no to! I was overwhelmed, frankly.  My grandfather's magic lantern? Two boxes of his slides? I gathered myself, and promised the two kind older people that I would find a place in Chipping Sodbury to house Murray's treasures. And soon. 

Image: Author with Murray Dowding's @1910 magic lantern and slides, a gift from two wonderful custodians after waiting 50+ years for someone from the family to claim them! Photo courtesy Rich McDonough.

I should note here that my grandfather took thousands of images, many of which are safe in local archives and private collections in the UK. The images in these two boxes have been digitized and made public. I  should also note, that my grandfather and his family lived at 62 Broad Street, right across from Town Hall, for three generations. The box I'm holding in the image has Murray's handwriting on it, his address, and the name of the slides within: William Tyndale.

So now, I had to find the magic lantern and slides a home. As you can see, the lantern on its display box is quite large! Who would take it and keep it safe?

With some guidance from new friends in UK, I approached Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. After some back and forth with me in Toronto, the council agreed there was historical and cultural value in Murray's treasures, a local who lived and photographed the area for over 50 years from @1890 - 1945. Image: Murray's photo of Stonehenge, @1905

Much of the town's history is recorded in my grandfather's photographic legacy, and his magic lantern slide talks were part of the social history of the time. My father, Marcus, often spoke of how, as a young boy, he moved the slides across the front of the projector lens while his father, Murray, gave his talk. An expert in local history, the Roman camps, 16th Century Martyr William Tyndale and much more, Murray's magic lantern talks were held in halls and centres across Gloucestershire. Today, many of Murray Dowding's photos hang in Town Hall and in local pubs and businesses. 

And now, as of June 2024, his magic lantern and a few boxes of his many thousands of slides are waiting in Town Hall for the next generation to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, and thank you to Chipping Sodbury Town Hall for seeing value in ancient technology and images, and in my grandfather's contribution to local culture and historical legacy. By all accounts he was a modest man, but I like to think Murray might be a little glad to see his work curated and protected for all time.

Image: Murray Dowding, Ridley, Gladys, and my father, Marcus, the little guy at right, @1930.

More about Murray Dowding on this blog