Folger Shakespeare Library

09/13/2026

Spend a day with us exploring our upcoming landmark exhibition "To Hear Her Speak," engaging with scholars, and seeing a performance of "Measure for Measure." More information about our October 17 Humanities Lab course at the link below.

09/12/2026

Time for our annual "spooky" read! 👻 📚 In "Diavola," Jennifer Thorne skewers all-too-familiar family dynamics in this sly, wickedly funny vacation-Gothic. Beautifully unhinged and deeply satisfying, "Diavola" is a sharp twist on the classic haunted house story, exploring loneliness, belonging, and the seemingly inescapable bonds of family mythology.

📚 Register for free at the link below ! Books available in store or online at the Folger shop.

09/11/2026

If this image of Crewe Hall in the UK looks familiar to Folger fans, it could be because it was part of the inspiration for our Great Hall. Early in the process of designing the Folger Shakespeare Library, Mr. Folger sent architect Paul Cret a book entitled "The Mansions of England in the Olden Time," in which this image appears. The book influenced much of the decoration of the Folger.

🎨 : "The mansions of England in the olden time" by Joseph Nash, plate 10. Digital Image file
155146. Folger Shakespeare Libary.

09/10/2026

Shakespeare lived through climate change, too. Scholar Harry R. McCarthy of the University of Southern California says characters in the plays—from Titania to Viola to the courtiers in "The Tempest"—show the power in catastrophic times of turning "our thoughts to the collective over the individual." Read the latest blog in our America's Next 250 series at the 🔗 below!

09/09/2026

"Measure for Measure," Shakespeare's fascinating dark comedy, is on stage Sep 22-Nov 1. Grab your tickets at folger.edu/MFM and check out some of the special events we have on schedule for this production.

09/08/2026

One of Shakespeare’s most appealing yet perhaps underpraised talents is his ability to readily coin insults that fit the moment and the mood. Try our quiz about a few of the many memorable insults in Shakespeare’s plays. Full quiz at the 🔗 below!

09/07/2026

Don't miss your chance to save on the first performances of the season! Use code FLASH20 by midnight tonight to save 20% off* any performance of "Monteverdi's Legacy," or evening performances of "Measure for Measure" Sep 22 - Oct 4.

*Limit four (4) tickets per order. Offer expires Sep 7 at 11:59pm.

09/06/2026

One of the many joys of the Folger is the building itself! 🏛️ Explore our history in "Folger Shakespeare Library: Renewal and Revitalization," a lushly illustrated volume that traces the work of those who have built, supported, and reimagined the Folger. Philadelphia-based architecture firm Kieran Timberlake explores every detail of the original building, along with their design strategy and collaboration with prominent partners to bring the recent renovation to beautiful fruition. Pick up the book at the Folger Shop in person or online at the 🔗 in our comments.

09/05/2026

Did you miss any of the WTOP News and "Matt About Town" six-part series on the Folger? You can catch up on this in-depth look at Shakespeare, our collection, our conservation work, and more on the WTOP website. Start here:

Some of the rarest and earliest published works of William Shakespeare can be found at the Folger Shakespeare Library in the District.

09/04/2026

Now on the blog, Assistant Curator of Collections Johnna Champion explores a variety of collection items that show the mixed responses to "Measure for Measure" over the centuries. Read the full blog at the link in the comments!