OK, I have SO MUCH material to share with you about my visit to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C., but we’ll just start with an overview of WHAT, exactly, the Folger Shakespeare Library is.
Visiting the Folger Shakespeare Library is TOTALLY FREE, as the Folgers gifted it to the public. There is a gift shop, though, stocked with all sorts of awesome Shakespeare stuff, so you’re not liable to escape unscathed. There are different Shakespeare exhibits rotating through the Great Hall, so there’s always something new to see.
There are several books about the Folgers’ collecting adventures, but the only one I’ve read so far is The Millionaire and the Bard, by Andrea Mays. I recommend it.
To see some of the photos I took at the Folger, visit my original blog post.
Tune in again on Thursday for a SUPER SECRET* trip into the famous vaults of the Folger!
(*may not actually be super secret)
Did you happen to use the reading room? I’m looking to apply for a reader’s card with my PhD credentials and I wondered if you might have any pointers on that front. Glad you had a good visit!
I got a tour of the reading room, but didn’t actually use it. I don’t know how picky they are about issuing reader’s cards, but I imagine as long as none of your references say “THIS PERSON REGULARLY DROOLS ON THEIR BOOKS”, you should be OK.
I was just there last week! I loved their 400 Years of Shakespeare exhibit and caught a good eyeful at the First Folio they have on display. Love it!
They have “Shakespeare in America” exhibit on now which is also excellent! And more about Folios in Thursday’s post… 😉
One of the perks of growing up in northern Virginia was getting to participate in the Folger Shakespeare Festival every year during high school. I miss Cam. (“I am the mistress of the revels! …I am the mistress, you are the revels!”)
Kimchi and Justice 