Top of page
Posted by: Erin Allen
A camel walked into Mount Vernon … sounds like the beginning of a rather offbeat joke. However, such is not the case. On Dec. 29, 1787, our nation’s soon-to-be first president, at home on his estate in Alexandria, Virginia, played host to a rather exotic animal for the holidays. I first heard this story from …
Posted in: Collections, Curators, Events, History, Manuscripts
Posted by: Erin Allen
(The following is a post by Ann Brener, Hebraic area specialist in the Library’s African and Middle Eastern Division.) Imagine that some brightly plumed bird-of-paradise has flown in amongst your backyard warblers, and you’ll probably know how I felt upon discovering a beautifully illustrated book in the vaults of the Library of Congress. Nestled between …
Posted in: Books, Collections, Curators, Events, Jewish American History
Posted by: Erin Allen
Willie Nelson was the talk of the town as the Library celebrated his work and career during a concert in November, as he received the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. “When Willie took the stage to accept the Gershwin prize, you could see the pride on his face,” wrote Brendan Kownacki for Hollywood on the …
Posted in: American Folklife Center, Capitol Hill, Collections, Concerts, Events, Folksonomies, Music, News, Newspapers, Veterans History Project, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
Until 1897, the Library of Congress was housed in the U.S. Capitol Building itself. Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1864–97) was the first to propose that the Library be moved to a dedicated building. He also was instrumental in establishing the copyright law of 1870, which placed the Copyright Office in the Library and …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Collections, Events, History, News, Newspapers, Thomas Jefferson Building, Today in History, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
(The following post was written by Stephen Winick and originally appeared on Folklife Today, the blog of the American Folklife Center.) When Rosanne Cash, recognized by the Library as one of the most compelling figures in popular music, was asked to curate a series of concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York, she graciously brought …
Posted in: American Folklife Center, Collections, Concerts, Events, Exhibitions, Folksonomies, Music, Photos, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
The Library of Congress once again opened the doors to its magnificent Main Reading Room on Monday for a special open house, held twice each year. More than 6,100 visitors enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the Library’s services, resources and collections, speak with reference librarians and even go inside the decks to view the …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Events, Photos, Pic of the Week, Social Media, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
In September, the Library of Congress had some big headlines – from the announcements of new collections to celebrating the 15th annual National Book Festival and the inaugural reading of the new poet laureate. The Library received a very special visitor and a very special book to add to its collections last month. During his …
Posted in: Books, Collections, Curators, Events, Exhibitions, Manuscripts, National Book Festival, News, Newspapers, Poetry, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
The Library of Congress National Book Festival next weekend opens its latest chapter with a few new plots and the largest cast of characters in festival history. The 15th annual festival will offer its biggest-ever roster of speakers, take a first fling with literary love, go back to the movies, pay tribute to America’s warriors …
Posted in: Books, Education, Events, National Book Festival, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
James McGrath Morris is an author, columnist and radio show host. He writes primarily biographies and works of narrative nonfiction. He discusses his newest book, “Eye on the Struggle: Ethel Payne, the First Lady of the Black Press,” tomorrow, July 21, at the Library. Read more about it here. Tell us about your new book ”Eye …
Posted in: Books, Collections, Events, Exhibitions, History, Manuscripts, Researcher Stories