In this issue: Special Exhibition - Author Talk - Poetry at the Library - Adult Events - Virtual Films at Fowler - Teen Events - Children's Events | |
Highlights from Special Collections: Mark Your Calendars - Special Exhibition Opening March 24 | |
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A Perpetual Invitation: 150 Years of Art at the Concord Free Public Library
March 24 - September 4, 2023
Concord Museum
Opening Day: March 24, exhibit 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Guided Tours of the Exhibition: March 24 and 31, 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
In honor of the Concord Free Public Library’s 150th anniversary, the Concord Museum and the Library’s William Munroe Special Collection have collaborated on a special exhibition featuring the Library’s art collection. Featured objects will include paintings by Washington Allston, N.C. Wyeth, May Alcott Nieriker, Charles Hovey Pepper, Alicia Keyes, and Elizabeth Wentworth Roberts, among other artists, as well as sculptures depicting noted Concord authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Louisa May Alcott.
The exhibition will also highlight Concord’s artist communities, local art collectors, the history of institutions promoting public access to works of art, and the stories of specific artists, including May Alcott Nieriker, Alicia Keyes, Elizabeth Wentworth Roberts, and others who have lived and worked in Concord.
A Perpetual Invitation: 150 Years of Art at the Concord Free Public Library will be on view at the Concord Museum from March 24 - September 4, 2023.
On Opening Day, March 24, you are invited to view the exhibit 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Curators from the Concord Museum and the Library’s William Munroe Special Collection lead guided tours of the exhibition on March 24 and 31 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Other Upcoming Programs:
Through March 31 - Exhibition: Daniel Chester French: Art & Enterprise in Concord
March 30 - Author Talk: ILYON WOO, Author of Master Slave Husband Wife
April 13 - Divide in Concord (Film Screening)
April 27 - Joel Myerson Annual Lecture Series: "After Lives: Bringing Una Hawthorne Home" with Megan Marshall
May 17 - May Alcott and the Town of Concord: The Making of an Artist - with Prof. Daniel Shealy
June 8 - Mr. Agassiz's Puzzle-Box: What To Do With 19th-Century Science Today - with Prof. Irmscher
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Special Collections Author Talk | |
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Author Talk: Ilyon Woo, Author of Master Slave Husband Wife
Thursday, March 30, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Join author Ilyon Woo who will discuss her new book Master Slave Husband Wife - An Epic Journey From Slavery to Freedom. The true story of William and Ellen Craft, a couple who escaped slavery through daring, determination, and disguise, with Ellen passing as a wealthy, disabled White man and William posing as “his” slave. Woo will discuss her book, with behind-the-scenes glimpses of the archival sleuthing process, with special focus on the Crafts' sensational lecture tour, which included a stop in Concord.
Ilyon Woo is also the New York Times best-selling author of The Great Divorce: A Nineteenth-Century Mother’s Extraordinary Fight Against Her Husband, the Shakers, and Her Times. She has written for The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine and received support for her research from the Whiting Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, among other organizations. She holds a BA in the Humanities from Yale College and a Ph.D. in English from Columbia University.
This event is being co-sponsored by the Library's William Munroe Special Collections and the Concord Free Public Library Corporation.
[Register]
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Tuesday Book Discussion: Manhattan Beach
Tuesday, March 14, 9:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Trustees Room, Main Library
Each month, join other readers to discuss a range of books, from classics to contemporary. For March, we will discuss Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan. Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Circulation Desk. [Register]
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Arts & Crafts Club with Art for All at Fowler (teens & adults)
Tuesday, March 14, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Large Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Art for All comes to Fowler! Every Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30, teens and adults with cognitive differences are welcome to attend Arts and Crafts Club. Projects and activities may include making art for local shows, making holiday cards, and playing drawing games. [Register]
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Book-A-Mystery
Wednesday, March 15, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Large Meeting Room, Fowler Branch
Join Madeline from Fowler on the 3rd Wednesday of each month to discuss a range of mysteries, from thrillers to whodunnits. This month we are discussing the cozy mystery Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson. Copies of the selected book are available at Fowler in both regular and large print. [Register]
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Author Talk: Kwan Kew Lai
Thursday, March 23, 7:00 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Join us as we listen to author Kwan Kew Lai talk about her latest book The Girl Who Taught Herself to Fly, followed by a Q & A session and book signing. Books will be available for purchase. Originally from Penang, Malaysia, Kwan Kew Lai attended Wellesley College on a full scholarship, paving the way for her to become a doctor. In 2005, she left her position as a professor of medicine to dedicate time to humanitarian work: in HIV/AIDS in Africa and to provide disaster relief all over the world, during wars, famine, and natural disasters, including the Ebola outbreak, the Syrian, Rohingya refugee crises Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Yemen, and the COVID-19 pandemic in New York and the Navajo Nation. She is a three-time recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Distinguished Alumna Award of Wellesley College, and the Distinguished Alumni Service Award of Chicago Medical School. [Register]
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Conservation of Native Pollination Systems with Dr. Gegear at the Main Library
Wednesday, March 29, 6:00 p.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Dr. Robert Gegear, assistant professor of biology at UMass – Dartmouth and founder of The Beecology Project, will present research on plant-pollinator interactions and solutions to their decline. Before his talk, local organizations and groups will have tables where they will provide information about their pollinator work. Dr. Gegear's presentation will begin at 6:30 p.m. Come early to learn how you can get involved! [Register]
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Virtual Films at Fowler: True Stories | |
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Films at Fowler continues in winter 2023 with True Stories. For 26 years Concord film viewers gathered on winter evenings at Fowler Library to see some of the most interesting and stimulating examples of current and classic cinema from around the world. That movie series, now called Films at Fowler, changed to an online video streaming format in 2021 and continues in that format in 2023. Because we no longer meet in person, we now watch—on your own schedule—selected movies on Kanopy, a free streaming service available to Library patrons. We will then gather on Zoom on scheduled evenings for a lively movie discussion. The theme of the movies this winter is True Stories. The movies in this series are based on real events, and have varying degrees of surprise, suspense, compassion, and drama at their heart.
Umberto D (1952)
Wednesday, March 22, 7:00 p.m. (Discussion Date on Zoom)
This neorealist masterpiece by Vittorio De Sica follows an elderly pensioner as he strives to make ends meet during Italy’s tough postwar economic recovery.
Please watch the film on Kanopy before the discussion. To register for the discussion and receive a Zoom link, send an email to the host of the series Randall Warniers at [email protected].
This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
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Teen Dungeon and Dragons
Wednesday, March 15, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Teens - Join Dungeons and Dragons. Play casual one-off games or start a campaign with others. Beginners are encouraged. Experts expected to help out. No registration required. Ages 11-18 welcome.
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Teen Board Game Advisory Board
Thursday, March 16, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Teen Lounge, Main Library
Teens - Join The Board Game Advisory Board. Register now and visit the Teen Lounge on Thursdays this winter. Receive your very own Board Game Board Member membership card. Choose from our game selection at the Library, plan which games we purchase in the future, or bring your own from home (board games, table top role playing, card games Magic, Pokemon, etc). Popcorn will always be provided. [Register]
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Children's Events at the Main Library | |
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Musical Monday with Tim Seston
Monday, March 13, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Goodwin Forum, Main Library
Every Monday at 10:30 am we feature musical programs geared for children aged 0 - 6 years. Tim Seston has been entertaining audiences since 2006 with original stories and songs. Alongside puppet and his guitar, Tim brings warmth and kindness to each and every performance. No registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library.
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Concord Puppet Theater
Friday, March 17, 10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Goodwin, Main Library
Each week will feature different puppets, new songs to learn and sing along to, and occasional crafts. Feel free to bring your own puppet (sock or otherwise) or instruments from home to join in on the fun. No registration required.
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Saturday Morning with Music at the Blissful
Saturday, March 18, 10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Children's Activity Room, Main Library
Join us for music and movement with Evan from Music at the Blissful. No registration required.
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Read to Laddie the Collie
Saturday, March 18, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Children's Activity Room, Main Library
Register for your own 15-minute session with Laddie. Bring along a favorite book. Did you know that reading to dogs boosts reading skills & emotional & social skills for children? Read to a good listener who loves stories! [Register]
For more Children's events at the Main Library, visit here.
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Fowler Branch Children's Events | |
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In-Person Fowler Storytime
Tuesdays, 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. & 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
Fowler Branch Large Meeting Room or
Labyrinth Garden at West Concord Union Church
Join us at Fowler for storytime. We will share stories, songs, and rhymes and do a simple hands-on activity. Rain location: Fowler Large Meeting Room. No registration required.
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Lego Club at Fowler, Ages 12 and under
Friday, March 17, 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
Fowler Branch Large Meeting Room
Come play with us - Join fellow builders to construct from our Lego collection. Try out weekly challenges or work on your own project. Drop in at any time during Lego Club to join the fun. No registration required.
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Celebrate the Earth with the CCHS Green Team
Saturday, March 18
Grades K - 2, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. [Register]
Grades 3 - 5, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. [Register]
Fowler Branch Large Meeting Room
Join members of the Concord-Carlisle High School Green Team to share Braiding Sweetgrass (For Young Adults): Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. We will read excerpts together to launch our discussion and work together to do a hands-on activity. Let’s celebrate the earth as we prepare for Earth Week. This program is offered with support from the Thoreau PTG.
For more Children's events at Fowler, visit here.
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