Current Exhibitions
Main Library Art Gallery
COMING SOON-
Curator's Choice: Personal Favorites from Two Decades of Collection Building
Leslie Wilson
May 2019
The public is invited to the opening of the exhibition "Curator's Choice: Personal Favorites from Two Decades of Collection Building" on Friday, May 3, 2019, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The show will feature one hundred items from the many gifts and purchases acquired by Curator Leslie Wilson for the William Munroe Special Collections over the course of her twenty-three year tenure. Leslie is retiring at the end of July, and the Trustees of the Concord Free Public Library Corporation are pleased to host a farewell reception as part of the May 3 program. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to events@cfplcorp.org
Top: Concord Hymn
Bottom: Louisa May Alcott's Manuscript
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Special Collections Display Cases
Illustrating Little Women: Frank Thayer Merrill and the 1880 Edition
When Roberts Brothers decided to release a reconfigured edition of Little Women in 1880, they combined what had previously been two volumes into one, gave it a beautiful dark green cover with gilt accents and page edges, and chose Boston artist Frank Thayer Merrill to provide the illustrations. Merrill created two hundred meticulously rendered pen and ink drawings that charmingly bring to life the moments and moods created through the words of Louisa May Alcott. To honor the sesquicentennial of the publication of Little Women, the Concord Free Public Library presents a small exhibition displaying a selection of the sixty-six Frank Thayer Merrill illustrations in the library’s collection. The exhibit is in the Special Collections cases (Main Library/Lower Level), and is viewable during library hours through the end of the year. The exhibit is prepared by our Special Collections staff member Conni Manoli.
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In the Main Street Entrance Foyer Exhibit Case
19th Century Stereoscope and Stereoscopic Slides
In the mid-nineteenth century, when modes of entertainment were limited, novel pleasures like the stereoscope were a welcome diversion. Photography was still relatively new and exciting, and had quickly become accessible to the middle class. At a time when travel was limited for most, stereoscopic slides had the ability to bring the far corners of the world into everyone’s parlor. Currently on display in the Main Library's Main Street entrance glass case. The exhibit is prepared by our Special Collections staff member Conni Manoli.
Top: Concord Free Public Library lobby, 1870s
Bottom: Approach to North Bridge, 1875
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Fowler Branch Meeting Room Exhibit
To be announced
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Fowler Branch Display Case
A History of the Damon Mill
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