Folger Shakespeare Library, Research library on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., United States
The Folger Shakespeare Library is a research library on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., specializing in early modern England and the English Renaissance. Its collection includes over 500,000 books, manuscripts, and objects from the period between 1500 and 1750, among them 82 copies of the 1623 First Folio.
Henry Clay Folger and Emily Jordan Folger founded the library, which opened in 1932 in a neoclassical building by Paul Philippe Cret and Alexander Trowbridge. The couple spent decades collecting works from the Shakespeare period to make them accessible to the public.
The Elizabethan-style theater recreates a 16th-century performance space with wooden benches and an open stage. It hosts regular performances, readings, and concerts that immerse visitors in the atmosphere of Shakespeare's era.
Researchers can access the collections by prior registration, while exhibitions and events are open to the general public. The building is near Capitol South Metro Station and easily reached on foot.
The east garden features plants mentioned in Shakespeare's works, accompanied by sculptures depicting scenes from his plays. The building itself combines a neoclassical facade with Art Deco interiors, creating an interesting architectural contrast.
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