Folger Shakespeare Library

Renewal and Revitalization

The complete story behind the creation, renovation, and transformation of the world’s foremost research library on the works, life, and times of William Shakespeare.

The complete story behind the creation, renovation, and transformation of the world’s foremost research library on the works, life, and times of William Shakespeare.

Explore the history of the Folger Shakespeare Library in this lushly illustrated volume, which traces the work of those who have built, supported, and reimagined the institution from its founding in 1932 to its renovation and reopening in 2024.

Originally designed by Philadelphia architect Paul Philippe Cret in consultation with collectors Henry and Emily Folger, the library is a significant cultural landmark in Washington, DC. In 2011, a new strategic plan was developed to transform the Folger, making it more accessible to a broader audience of visitors. This collection of essays, featuring archival and contemporary photography, explores the details of the transformative renovation.

Delve into Philadelphia-based architecture firm KieranTimberlake’s assessment of every detail of the original building, along with their design strategy and collaboration with prominent partners to bring the renovation to beautiful fruition. Taking a uniquely holistic approach, the firm collaborated with leading designers in landscaping, branding, typography, and exhibition design to breathe new life into this storied building. While its elegant façade, a memorial to William Shakespeare, is unchanged, the Folger’s expanded scope is extraordinary:

“The project, more than ten years in the making, pulled off a near-impossible feat . For the first time, the public can get up close to treasures once locked away in storage. It’s a masterclass in balancing preservation with reinvention.”—Gerrish Lopez, Time Out

Perfect for architects, designers, and urban planners specializing in the modernization of historic structures, this is a magnificent survey of a large, historic renovation project. Readers may find themselves compelled to visit the site for themselves, though this book provides an incredible tour itself.

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