Home to the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the @folgerlibrary is an independent research library offering advanced scholarly programs on Shakespeare education, productions of Shakespeare inspired theater in the award winning Folger Theatre, performances by the Folger Consort, the early-music ensemble-in-residence, along with numerous other exhibits, seminars, talks and lectures, and family programs.
Visitors can visually take in 82 copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio and then, via touchscreen, explore selected Folios further–as a detective, or a storyteller, or a collector.
A fully functional printing press, modeled on ones that printed Shakespeare’s Folios, will offer visitors of all ages, a chance to see and participate in how these pages were created, trying their hands at setting type as it happened in a 17th-century print shop.
Visitors can glimpse into Shakespeare’s life and legacy and see items rarely brought out into public view, including Henry VIII’s schoolbook, a copy of John Smith’s 1612 map of the Chesapeake region, and artifacts from the career of African American actor Earle Hyman.
Working with designers, Studio Joseph, kubik maltbie fabricated all the interior walls, in-house non-archival cases, shelving and lighting. kubik maltbie also worked with Click Netherfield on archival cases housing the precious First Folios, including a 20’ long case displaying the 82 first pressing folios.
