Frank DeFreitas Holography | Allentown, PA | Phone: 610-770-0341 A New Hologram MuseumPublishing Notes Updated 3 February 2012 Mission Statement: The archive of the holography reading room collects, preserves, and displays artifacts associated with the history of holography and stereo 3D. All visits *MUST* be made by prior reservation. No exceptions. NEXT OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, March 3, 2012 Call or Email *NOW* to RSVP: 610-770-0341 COST: Free We've all heard of the famed and beloved one room school house of yesteryear. Here now, for the 21st century, is a one room (so far) mini 'museum' for the history of holograms and 3D . . . For nearly 30 years (since 1983), holography enthusiasts from around the world have been making the pilgrimage to visit Frank DeFreitas at his 19th century, center-city home in Allentown, PA. Most who came did so to learn how to make holograms. Now Frank is opening his collection of laser and holography historical artifacts to visitors, and is dedicating an entire room of his house to display it. The holography room will allow visitors to view changing exhibits of the world-renowned, 20000-piece Antiquarian Holographica collection. Yes, you read that correctly: twenty thousand pieces. This collection includes historical holographic memorabilia documenting the development of artistic and scientific holography, along with the history of light, lasers, optics, and three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging.  Located in Frank's Private 1890's Home Downtown Historic District / Allentown, PA About the Collection Frank DeFreitas acquired the very first piece of his collection in 1976, and thus began the Antiquarian Holographica. Today, nearly three decades and 20,000 pieces later, it consists of vintage lasers, holograms, optics, optical equipment, posters, books, advertising, viewers, exhibit catalogs, postcards, brochures, contracts, newsletters, stereoviews, patents, documents, letters, stamps, business cards, magazines, press releases, invitations, newspaper articles, announcements, letterheads, industrial catalogs, envelopes, postage stamps, and many other examples of 3D / holography history and memorabilia.  (above) Museum of Holography, Abe Rezny, 1975 -- Early Photographs, Manuscripts and Documents -- You'll be surrounded by the history of holography.
 -- Madonnina by Roberto Ferruzzi -- Rare 3D Xograph Lenticular of the famous 1870's "Madonna of the Streets" painting.
 -- Theodore H. Maiman's First Ruby Laser -- Even the Smithsonian does not have this laser . . . or even a 3D hologram of it! Since 1983, many holography-related activities have taken place here, and it certainly has its own historical background: starting in 1983, the Holo-Gram newsletter was published in this room, and sent out to readers in seventeen countries; private holography instruction for students and educators took place in Frank's personal studio; over 100 hours of Internet radio broadcasting, with guests from around the world, was produced here with the HoloTalk show; early display holography experiments with DIY diode lasers; the writing of the popular student / hobbyist hologram book, Shoebox Holography; the creation of holograms, including a recent holographic stereogram of the moon; the design of world-class holography educational programs for the Smithsonian Institution, Liberty Science Center, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, high schools and universities, et al. It was visited by holographers and enthusiasts from around the world for nearly 30 years. It's a fact: the physical room itself is, and always will be, part of the history of holography. From the 19th century wooden floor boards, to the ceiling above.  1980's: Frank editing The Holo-Gram newsletter. The Recent Emergence of Mini / Micro Museums Currently, there is a trend for serious collectors to begin exhibiting their prized items at home by creating what are known as mini (or micro) museums. They can be as simple as a one wall display, or as elaborate as an entire floor (and, in a few rare cases, it can be an entire house). Most are private homes in residential areas, and visitation is via pre-arranged appointment. With privately-owned micro museums, visitors are considered friends, because they share the collecting interest of the host, and hence, the reason for 'visiting'. Since it is not a business, money never changes hands, and the host usually provides a personal "tour" of items on display, gratis. There is no advertising, just old-fashioned word of mouth. It is not unusual to end the visit over a cup of coffee, or a tall glass of iced tea, while sharing stories before saying goodbye. The new micro museum movement is a highly specialized and tightly focused movement. It is rapidly gaining momentum as larger, more generalized urban museums struggle with declining memberships and evaporating revenue streams. Preferring to function without any fanfare or advertising, and known mostly by word of mouth by others that share the topical interest, you may have one in your own home town, and not even know it. Events @ the Reading Room For the foreseeable future, plans include informal, rotating exhibits of early three-dimensional holograms and other vintage historical memorabilia, along with the occasional lecture night on selected topics of interest. A personal tour of the collection will be available for visiting enthusiasts and the simply curious. The entire archive and library will be available for in-house research purposes for students and educators. So . . . come and see -- firsthand -- selected historical memorabilia from holography and 3D's early years. All are original items, and all of it celebrating the history of light, lasers, optics, holography and 3D. See you at the Holography Reading Room! All visits *MUST* be made by prior reservation. No exceptions. NEXT OPEN HOUSE: Saturday, March 3, 2012 Call or Email *NOW* to RSVP: 610-770-0341 COST: Free  * This is a private residence and collection. There are six outdoor steps leading up to the first floor door. Where Do You Want To Go? . . . HoloKids | How To Make A Hologram | Ask a Question | Holography Workshops | Collecting Moon Hologram | Holographic Light Art | Links | Careers | Online Exhibit Laser Pointer Holography | Holo Podcast | Holographic Universe Holo Videos | Civil War Holography | Contact Information Allentown, Pennsylvania Holography Home |