The Folger Shakespeare Library, a treasure trove for Shakespeare fans, has opened its doors once again after a multi-year renovation. Once a destination for Shakespeare scholars and literary enthusiasts, the Library is now a welcoming destination where anyone can discover the joy of the famed playwright.
The D.C. institution is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare's works, and the renovation aims to welcome all to explore its collections, not just those in-the-know. There are new exhibition spaces, sleek conservation labs and sophisticated reading rooms. The showstopping Great Hall features interactive displays and immersive exhibits that bring Shakespeare’s plays to life. You can even try your hand at type-setting with a replica 17th-century printing press. The star of the new exhibition space is Shakespeare’s first folios—the first printed publications of his plays—from 1623.
Exhibits also include other literary works, like a first century B.C.E. Egyptian Book of the Dead, page proofs of The Lord of The Rings with the author’s own hand-written corrections and an advanced press copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have A Dream speech.
The Library now features 12,000 feet of public space, with new public entrances. The renovated gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll or a moment of literary inspiration. The on-site Elizabethan Theater will host plays and concerts. The gift shop has been expanded for all the Shakespeare goodies you might need. And a forthcoming cafe Quill & Crumb will provide literary-inspired sustenance for your visit.
The Folger Shakespeare Library is free to visit and walk-ins are welcome, but timed tickets are currently recommended. Find out more about the new exhibits, programming and information about visiting the Library on the website.