Folger Shakespeare Library
@folger.edu
The world's largest Shakespeare collection - plus, home to Folger Theatre, Consort, Poetry, Exhibitions, Research, Education, and more!
The Folger Consort returns this week with a first-ever collaboration with Folger Poetry! Ahead of "Virtuosos of Violin and Verse" (Nov 7-9), we asked our musicians, what's your favorite modern song that feels like it could have been an early modern hit? 🎵 Consort tix: www.folger.edu/whats-on/vir...
November 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The Folger Consort returns this week with a first-ever collaboration with Folger Poetry! Ahead of "Virtuosos of Violin and Verse" (Nov 7-9), we asked our musicians, what's your favorite modern song that feels like it could have been an early modern hit? 🎵 Consort tix: www.folger.edu/whats-on/vir...
If you're in or around Capitol Hill this Halloween, stop by the Folger for some trick-or-treating. 🎃 👻 🍫 You can check out a full calendar of events at the Folger by visiting www.folger.edu/whats-on/
October 29, 2025 at 5:05 PM
If you're in or around Capitol Hill this Halloween, stop by the Folger for some trick-or-treating. 🎃 👻 🍫 You can check out a full calendar of events at the Folger by visiting www.folger.edu/whats-on/
Congratulations to the cast and creative team of "Julius X" for being Helen Hayes Recommended! 🥳 Time is running out to catch this phenomenal new play. See it only through October 26! 🎫 : folger.edu/juliusx
📷 : The cast of Folger Theatre's "Julius X," 2025. Photography by Erika Nizborski.
📷 : The cast of Folger Theatre's "Julius X," 2025. Photography by Erika Nizborski.
October 21, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Congratulations to the cast and creative team of "Julius X" for being Helen Hayes Recommended! 🥳 Time is running out to catch this phenomenal new play. See it only through October 26! 🎫 : folger.edu/juliusx
📷 : The cast of Folger Theatre's "Julius X," 2025. Photography by Erika Nizborski.
📷 : The cast of Folger Theatre's "Julius X," 2025. Photography by Erika Nizborski.
A friendly reminder that the Folger is open! Plan your visit today at folger.edu/visit.
October 1, 2025 at 3:10 PM
A friendly reminder that the Folger is open! Plan your visit today at folger.edu/visit.
📢 Attention Educators! 📢 Join us to explore "Julius Caesar" using the Folger Method. Spend hands-on time with rare materials and consider how to use these primary sources into your own teaching. Register for "Friends, Romans, Learners: A Weekend Intensive Workshop": www.folger.edu/whats-on/fri...
September 18, 2025 at 2:50 PM
📢 Attention Educators! 📢 Join us to explore "Julius Caesar" using the Folger Method. Spend hands-on time with rare materials and consider how to use these primary sources into your own teaching. Register for "Friends, Romans, Learners: A Weekend Intensive Workshop": www.folger.edu/whats-on/fri...
It's almost spooky season! 👻 And the Folger Book Club is getting in the spirit (pun intended) with their first book pick – "A Haunting on the Hill" by Elizabeth Hand. Register to join us for this free discussion on Thursday, October 9 at 6:30pm (ET): www.folger.edu/what.../folg...
September 4, 2025 at 2:34 PM
It's almost spooky season! 👻 And the Folger Book Club is getting in the spirit (pun intended) with their first book pick – "A Haunting on the Hill" by Elizabeth Hand. Register to join us for this free discussion on Thursday, October 9 at 6:30pm (ET): www.folger.edu/what.../folg...
The temperatures are cooling, but the Folger's programming is heating up! Take a look at some of the exciting things going on this September. folger.edu/whats-on
September 2, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The temperatures are cooling, but the Folger's programming is heating up! Take a look at some of the exciting things going on this September. folger.edu/whats-on
Happy International Dog Day from just a few of the four-footed beasts in Edward Topsell's 1607 beastiary. 🐕 🐩 🐕🦺 Proof that man's best friend has been a topic of great interests for hundreds of years. 🐾
August 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Happy International Dog Day from just a few of the four-footed beasts in Edward Topsell's 1607 beastiary. 🐕 🐩 🐕🦺 Proof that man's best friend has been a topic of great interests for hundreds of years. 🐾
Come create some magic with us! ✨ Apply for the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Docent Program. Applications are open through this Friday, August 8. folger.edu/docents
August 6, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Come create some magic with us! ✨ Apply for the Folger Shakespeare Library’s Docent Program. Applications are open through this Friday, August 8. folger.edu/docents
The 2025-26 Season features three incredible plays telling stories of struggle and power, of love and romance, and of personal journeys, and a poetry series exploring language and purpose while amplifying the voices and talents of DC-based artists and scholars. Book today: www.folger.edu/whats-on
August 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
The 2025-26 Season features three incredible plays telling stories of struggle and power, of love and romance, and of personal journeys, and a poetry series exploring language and purpose while amplifying the voices and talents of DC-based artists and scholars. Book today: www.folger.edu/whats-on
A very happy birthday to our Leo Queen 🦁 👑 - and yesterday's trivia answer - Juliet Capulet. Juliet was born on Lammas (August 1) Eve, making her birthday July 31 .
July 31, 2025 at 5:08 PM
A very happy birthday to our Leo Queen 🦁 👑 - and yesterday's trivia answer - Juliet Capulet. Juliet was born on Lammas (August 1) Eve, making her birthday July 31 .
A little Shakespearean trivia for you! Do you know which character has a specific birthday mentioned in the text of the Shakespeare play in which they appear?
July 30, 2025 at 5:16 PM
A little Shakespearean trivia for you! Do you know which character has a specific birthday mentioned in the text of the Shakespeare play in which they appear?
Our stunning exhibition on the “rules” for being a successful Tudor courtier ends on Sunday, August 10. Don't miss your chance to see fantastic objects like a New Year's Gift Roll signed by Elizabeth I or a prayerbook given to Henry VIII by Anne of Cleves. www.folger.edu/whats-on/pow...
July 28, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Our stunning exhibition on the “rules” for being a successful Tudor courtier ends on Sunday, August 10. Don't miss your chance to see fantastic objects like a New Year's Gift Roll signed by Elizabeth I or a prayerbook given to Henry VIII by Anne of Cleves. www.folger.edu/whats-on/pow...
Struggling with the steamy DC summer? 🧖 Stop by Quill & Crumb in the Folger's gorgeous Great Hall for a refreshing seasonal drink in a stunning (air-conditioned) atmosphere. We recommend an iced blackberry macchiato, ginger peach iced black tea, or cucumber watermelon lemonade. 🍉 🍋 🍑 🧊
July 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Struggling with the steamy DC summer? 🧖 Stop by Quill & Crumb in the Folger's gorgeous Great Hall for a refreshing seasonal drink in a stunning (air-conditioned) atmosphere. We recommend an iced blackberry macchiato, ginger peach iced black tea, or cucumber watermelon lemonade. 🍉 🍋 🍑 🧊
Going swimming this summer? 🏊 Watch out for the mer-rabbits! 🐰 🧜♀️ These fanciful creatures appear as woodcuts in the "Ortus sanitatis" printed by Johann Prüss in Strasbourg ca. 1497. Though mer-rabbit sightings have been rare since the 15th century, we do urge all swimmers to be alert. 👀
July 16, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Going swimming this summer? 🏊 Watch out for the mer-rabbits! 🐰 🧜♀️ These fanciful creatures appear as woodcuts in the "Ortus sanitatis" printed by Johann Prüss in Strasbourg ca. 1497. Though mer-rabbit sightings have been rare since the 15th century, we do urge all swimmers to be alert. 👀
Our building hours are changing starting August 5. Learn more about visiting us by going to folger.edu/visit
July 11, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Our building hours are changing starting August 5. Learn more about visiting us by going to folger.edu/visit
We've had quite the glow-up over the years! Here's a #ThrowbackThursday to 1929, when the Folger was just a vacant lot. We celebrated one year of our re-opened building this past June 21!
📷 : Vacant lot of Folger looking Northeast. Folger Archives Black Box 6.
📷 : Vacant lot of Folger looking Northeast. Folger Archives Black Box 6.
July 10, 2025 at 4:14 PM
We've had quite the glow-up over the years! Here's a #ThrowbackThursday to 1929, when the Folger was just a vacant lot. We celebrated one year of our re-opened building this past June 21!
📷 : Vacant lot of Folger looking Northeast. Folger Archives Black Box 6.
📷 : Vacant lot of Folger looking Northeast. Folger Archives Black Box 6.
Join us for Cocktails and Conversation with John Douglas Thompson (HBO's "The Gilded Age" and "Mare of Easttown") and Shakespearean acting specialist Daniela Varon. They'll share how their research at the Folger inspired a solo performance piece they're co-creating. www.folger.edu/.../cocktail...
July 9, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Join us for Cocktails and Conversation with John Douglas Thompson (HBO's "The Gilded Age" and "Mare of Easttown") and Shakespearean acting specialist Daniela Varon. They'll share how their research at the Folger inspired a solo performance piece they're co-creating. www.folger.edu/.../cocktail...
Today is National Blueberry Day 🫐 🥳 (July is also blueberry *month.*) Quill & Crumb, our café, is getting into the spirit all week with this blueberry tart. Visit us and enjoy some delicious seasonal treats. www.folger.edu/visit/folger...
July 8, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Today is National Blueberry Day 🫐 🥳 (July is also blueberry *month.*) Quill & Crumb, our café, is getting into the spirit all week with this blueberry tart. Visit us and enjoy some delicious seasonal treats. www.folger.edu/visit/folger...
We hope everyone has a safe and celebratory 4th! We'll see you again on Saturday the 5th.
July 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We hope everyone has a safe and celebratory 4th! We'll see you again on Saturday the 5th.
The Folger Consort announces four unforgettable concerts! 🎻 The 25-26 season will feature a collaboration between Consort and the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, festive winter performances, the return of romantic music for Valentine’s, and a springtime-themed series. www.folger.edu/.../folger-c...
July 2, 2025 at 8:42 PM
The Folger Consort announces four unforgettable concerts! 🎻 The 25-26 season will feature a collaboration between Consort and the O.B. Hardison Poetry Series, festive winter performances, the return of romantic music for Valentine’s, and a springtime-themed series. www.folger.edu/.../folger-c...
It may be summer break for many of us, but there's still a lot happening at the Folger! Stop by for some refreshing summer drinks, two Cocktails & Conversation events, and the last full month of "How to Be a Power Player." www.folger.edu/whats-on/
July 1, 2025 at 6:06 PM
It may be summer break for many of us, but there's still a lot happening at the Folger! Stop by for some refreshing summer drinks, two Cocktails & Conversation events, and the last full month of "How to Be a Power Player." www.folger.edu/whats-on/
Having received a reply, he was surprised anyone would attempt temperature control in DC and assumed we would close the building in the height of summer. But he wrote that if we could manage to make the building cool, “We will certainly have a popular room.” The cool temp he imagined? 85 degrees!
June 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Having received a reply, he was surprised anyone would attempt temperature control in DC and assumed we would close the building in the height of summer. But he wrote that if we could manage to make the building cool, “We will certainly have a popular room.” The cool temp he imagined? 85 degrees!
As we endure the heat dome, we're thinking back to 1930, when our founder Henry Clay Folger asked architect Alexander Trowbridge to explain the term "air-conditioning" to him.
June 26, 2025 at 2:34 PM
As we endure the heat dome, we're thinking back to 1930, when our founder Henry Clay Folger asked architect Alexander Trowbridge to explain the term "air-conditioning" to him.
Wishing you a magical midsummer (that's today!) from the Folger ✨ 🧚
June 24, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Wishing you a magical midsummer (that's today!) from the Folger ✨ 🧚