Southport, CT – The legacy of Pequot Library’s founders, over 125 years ago, is seen in significant rare books and archives that reflect Early Americana, nature, science, literature, and the Arts. Pequot’s Special Collections offer patrons a wide selection of primary source material for viewing, research, and enjoyment. Through the next exhibit in the Pages from Pequot series, the public can experience the current one, Poe and Witches--Gazing at the Dark Side, from October 1 – December 1, 2016. Everyone is invited to the Opening Reception on Saturday, October 8, 2016, 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Poet Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849.
During the Opening Reception visitors can view early editions by Poe (1809 - 1849) from the Library's Special Collections of rare books and manuscripts, plus 17th century writings by Cotton and Increase Mather about witchcraft in New England. The exhibit also includes works by contemporary artist Jakob Crane on loan from the Fairfield Museum and History Center, as well as several Poe items on loan from rare book collector Susan Jaffe Tane. Professor Jamison Odone loans his original drawings of Poe’s "Annabel Lee" to make this a truly multi-faceted exhibit. Light hors d'oeuvres and wine will be provided at the opening.
Opening Reception remarks will be offered by Dr. Susan Whitcomb. Dr. Whitcomb graduated from Wellesley College and earned her Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from Yale University. She was Associate Professor of English at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT and also taught at Purchase College. She has lectured, published, and taught several courses in medieval and renaissance literature, early modern women writers, Shakespeare and film, the contemporary novel, and writing. Dr. Whitcomb is a docent at the Morgan Library and Museum. She provided public and private tours of the Morgan’s 2013-2014 exhibit, “Edgar Allen Poe: The Terror of the Soul,” and lectured on Poe at Pequot Library in conjunction with recitations by students of Greens Farms Academy in October 2013.
In this 21st century world where Goth and zombies have recently dominated film, literature, and music, Pequot Library takes a look back in time to when irritating your neighbor could get you tried as a witch and ravens occupied the creative mind of one of our most unique poets. In the rich expanse of Pequot’s Special Collections, we find that Fairfield witch trials took place in the 1650s – with dire consequences – some forty years before the more publicized Salem ones.
Thanks to the works of Edgar Allan Poe, we discover much darker materials than ever imagined by Stephen King or Anne Rice. The exhibit aims to illustrate how human imagination deals with the wonder and mystery of its time period. These two themes, from separate times in America’s formation, are brought to life thanks to the materials found in Pequot’s Special Collections for a closer look at the dark side of their times.
Special materials on exhibit in Poe and Witches – Gazing at the Dark Side have never been on view at Pequot Library and provide a unique opportunity for the community to learn more about Poe and his brilliant work.
For this exhibit, Pequot will “bring home” a few of the most historic treasures about witches from their Special Collections that are held at Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library in New Haven.
Related programming: Edgar Allan Poe: Book Discussions, October 25 and 26, 2016, day and evening programs; Witch Trial Re-enactment by Greens Farms Academy theater students, November 5, 2016; and Tom Lee, Master Storyteller Spins a Spooky Tale, on November 13, 2016. For more information visit pequotlibrary.org.
This exhibit is made possible in part through a generous gift in memory of Richard M. Carpenter and by the Constance C. Baker Rare Book Fund. Pequot Library appreciates the loan made by the Fairfield Museum and Historical Center of graphic art panels by Jakob Crane from “Accused: Fairfield’s Witchcraft Trials,” an exhibit curated by Dr. Elizabeth Rose and is grateful for several Poe items on loan from rare book collector Susan Jaffe Tane. Pequot thanks Professor Jamison Odone for the loan of his original drawings of Poe’s "Annabel Lee," and gratefully acknowledges the support and efforts of the Friends of Pequot Library, Pequot Library volunteers and staff. The exhibit is on view in the Exhibit Cases in Pequot Library’s Reading Room and The Perkin Gallery.
Please visit www.pequotlibrary.org to learn more about this vibrant library, educational, arts and cultural institution. All classes and programs are open to everyone. For information: (203) 259-0346 ext. 15. Follow Pequot Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Pequot Library Brings Culture to Life!