If you’re well-versed in the history of famous people, then you’re likely aware by now that the birthday (and death day) of the one and only Bard is coming up. That’s right, April 23 is National Shakespeare Day (alternately referred to as “National Talk Like Shakespeare Day”).
Regarded as one of the greatest playwrights of all time and a significant lexical contributor to the English language, William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616. His most significant works include 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three lengthy narratives, and other unconfirmed pieces. All of his plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. He’s also renowned for being the national poet of England under his official title as “Bard of Avon.”
With so much acclaim and popularity to his credit, it is no wonder that William Shakespeare has such a lofty fan base. If you happen to be a fan yourself and live in a convenient location near Washington, D.C., then a stop at the Folger Library should definitely be on your list of day-trip desires. This Flashback Friday Feature serves as a brief overall overview of the Folger Shakespeare Library, the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare-related materials.
History
The establishment of a massive holding and honoring tribute to Shakespearean lore and artifacts was the ultimate dream of Henry Clay Folger and his wife, Emily Jordan Folger, both avid fans of the works of Shakespeare. Originally from New York, Henry Folger was best known for serving as the Standard Oil executive. He and his wife had been compiling an impressive collection of Shakespearean works and related artifacts over the years, starting in 1889 with the purchase of a 1685 Fourth Folio.
It wasn’t until the end of World War I that they actively began scouting the nation for the optimal location to build such a holding. The site they eventually settled on was based on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. This specific area had previously been designated for expansion by the Library of Congress.
Building the Building
To build a structure that would complement the Folgers’ collection, the couple called on the mastery of the very prominent Paul Cret via the recommendation of consulting architect Alexander Trowbridge. Cret was a French émigré trained in the Beaux-Arts style, highly regarded far and wide for his mesmerizing architectural works. Throughout the years, he has become renowned for numerous other D.C. edifice marvels, including the Organization of American States building, the Duke Ellington Bridge, the Federal Reserve Building, and the tower of the Bethesda Naval Medical Center.
Plans, prep, and groundbreaking got underway for the building between the years 1928 and 1931. The end results produced a Tudor-deco style novelty structure blending a modernized classical exterior with a traditional English Renaissance interior. It was the perfect pairing to suit the lofty collection and even boasted a classic theater.
The Folger Opens
The Folger officially opened to the public on April 23, 1932. That day was admittedly a big deal on Capitol Hill. The ceremony was even broadcast live on national television. President and First Lady Hoover were in attendance, along with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The building was expanded by the addition of a new wing in 1959. To do this, the Folger contracted Harbeson, Hough, Livingston, and Larson, a Philadelphia firm that succeeded Cret’s. Another addition in direct correlation to this one included a roof garden on top of the new wing. Then, in 2000, a second Folger building, known as the Haskell Center, opened across the street. It had been adapted by architect Andrew K. Stevenson to house the library’s education and public programs staff.
As of 1969, the Folger has proudly held a place on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation was expanded further in 2018.
Now the Folger Library stands out not only as the ultimate tribute to the one and only William Shakespeare, but also serves as a monumental work in art and architecture. The Folger Shakespeare Library is located at 201 East Capitol Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003. Plan your visit today by visiting the website at www.folger.edu.