Folger Shakespeare Library

Inspired by the Folger temporary exhibition "Imagining Shakespeare," this Humanities Lab course explores how various art forms and material culture helped shape Shakespeare’s reputation across generations. Join us June 17 from 5:30-8pm to explore the exhibition, discover objects from our collection, and join a discussion with guest scholar Paul Menzer, professor of Shakespeare and Performance at Mary Baldwin University. Register today at the link in our comments.

Weekends are for carousing 🍻 ...and visiting the Folger! 🏛️ This "Twelfth Night"-inspired image entitled "The carousing of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek" is one of 14 paintings from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery now on view at the Folger as part of the "Imaging Shakespeare" exhibition. See it through August 2.

🖼️ : "The carousing of Sir Toby Belch and Sir Andrew Aguecheek." William Hamilton.

We could not agree more 😇 Performances of Jacob Ming-Trent's tour-de-force one-man show begin on June 9. Get your 🎫 to this limited engagement at folger.edu

📷 : Jacob Ming-Trent, "How Shakespeare Saved My Life," Berkeley Rep Theatre, 2026. Photo by Kevin Berne.

May is the anniversary of the Astor Place Riot: the night in 1849 when fans of American actor Edwin Forrest rioted inside and outside New York’s Astor Place Opera House during a performance of "Macbeth" by Forrest’s rival, the British actor William Charles Macready. We're re-sharing the "Shakespeare Unlimited" podcast episode about this shocking event:

The Astor Place Riot | Folger Shakespeare Library Folger Shakespeare Library is the world's largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. Shakespeare belongs to you. His world is vast. Come explore. Join us online, on the road, or in Washington, DC.

“Let’s put on a show” is an irresistible line in many a movie, and Shakespeare, who was deeply involved in the world of London theater, seems to have felt the same impulse, too. In several plays, his characters come together to put on a play of their own. Test your knowledge of his plays within plays with our quiz here and more on our blog at the link in our comments.

Is that a baby Bard we see? Both Shakespeare and his queen are looking very youthful on this colorful page of "Scenes from Shakespeare for the Young."

🎨 : "Scenes from Shakespeare for the young ..."/edited by Charles Alias; preface by E.L. Blanchard; illustrated by H. Sidney. ART Vol. f96. Folger Shakespeare Library.

It's your final day to save 40% on the show critics call “a truly powerful work of theatre" (Patrick Thomas, TalkinBroadway.com). Use code FLASH40 now through midnight for 40%* off tickets for "How Shakespeare Saved My Life" performances June 9-21. 🎟️ at folger.edu

*Sections A-C only. Limit six (6) tickets per order. Offer expires May 25 at 11:59pm.

Take a peek into the weird and wonderful world of early modern recipe books! 🥘 Imaging Associate Chris Naulty explores on the Collation blog:

Through the Photographer's Lens | Folger Shakespeare Library Chris Naulty, our Imaging Associate, shares some of the weird and wonderful things she has encountered in our early modern recipe books while working on the project to digitize them.

Spring is the perfect time to grab a light and fresh salad at Quill & Crumb, the Folger café. 🥬 ☀️ 🫛 💚 Stop by for a baby romaine and kale Caesar, a spring grain bowl, or a green pea chopped salad when you visit the Folger this weekend!