The University of Mary Washington’s Simpson Library will present the exhibition “Simpson’s Secret Treasures: A Century of Special Collections, 1908 -2008. This centennial event, which is open to the public without charge, will run from February 1 to May 15.
The exhibition is open during regular library hours, which are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to midnight, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 11 a. m.to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to midnight. The exhibition will highlight documents and artifacts from the university’s 100-year history, as well as showcase gems from the library’s rare book collection.
Among the UMW historical items on display will be the shovel used in the institution’s first groundbreaking ceremony on December 14, 1909, the first commencement program from 1912 and James Farmer’s Presidential Medal of Freedom certificate.
The exhibit also will include a copy of the 1922 edition of the student newspaper “The Bullet,” the 1913 student yearbook “Battlefield” and memorabilia from Mary Washington’s renowned marching band.
The rare book collection, begun in 1963, consists primarily of 17th- and 18th-century volumes of literature and science, examples of the bookman’s art from a variety of fine presses, and first editions from literary figures such as James Joyce, Ellen Glasgow, Willa Cather, Eudora Welty and William B. Yeats. Items on display will include an 1892Kelmscott Press volume of “The Golden Legend,” printed in Golden type on handmade paper and illustrated with beautiful woodcuts; a 1602 copy of “The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer,” formerly owned by past UMW President Grellet Simpson; and Charles Dickens’ “Bleak House” in its original parts.
For more information, call the Simpson Library at (540) 654-1752.