National Shakespeare folio exhibit coming to Lake County
A national traveling exhibit of rare Shakespeare works isn't scheduled to open for several weeks, but already there has been much ado as Lake County libraries and other institutions prepare for the visit.
A variety of programs and events are being planned in support of "First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare," which makes its only appearance in Illinois beginning Feb. 3 at the Lake County Discovery Museum in Wauconda.
The museum, operated by the Lake County Forest Preserve District, is the host site in Illinois for the exhibit, which in 2016 will be touring every state as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico to mark the 400th anniversary of the author's death. The event is coordinated by the Folger Shakespeare Library in partnership with the Cincinnati Museum Center and the American Library Association.
Katherine Hamilton-Smith, director of public affairs and development for the forest preserve district, wrote the proposal to host the exhibit. Admission to the Feb. 3-28 exhibit and associated programming will be free.
"This is a really big deal for Lake County and for the museum," she said.
The museum is working with 28 local and statewide partners, and a reading program has been established in which public libraries are offering Shakespeare-related programs in support of the exhibition, Hamilton-Smith said.
The Wauconda Area Public Library has been getting ready for months and is the lead library for the effort.
"It's an initiative that has gone statewide to raise awareness and participation," said Terri Suda, programming supervisor.
"Over 50 libraries across the state are hosting Shakespeare programs and reading initiatives."
The Lake Villa District Library has extended its winter reading program through February with a Shakespeare theme, planned several related programs and is challenging patrons to learn at least one thing about Shakespeare, which will translate to a donation to the Lake Villa Township food pantry.
The First Folio is a compilation of 36 of Shakespeare's plays published in 1623, seven years after the English author's death. According to The Folger, the plays were written to be performed and not published in his lifetime.
Eighteen of the plays, including "Macbeth" and "Julius Caesar," appeared for the first time in print as the First Folio and otherwise would have been lost.
Researchers think 750 copies originally were printed. Folger holds 82 copies of the 233 copies known to exist. Copies have been sold for as much as $6.2 million.
Hamilton-Smith said the museum had to meet special requirements to land the exhibit and even had to provide a year's worth of indoor climate records.
"It has to be kept at a constant temperature and relative humidity," she said of the folio.
It also will have to acclimate for three days at the museum before it is removed from its shipping container, she said.
Supporters say Shakespeare's works remain relevant, in part because of his storytelling ability and characters. Phrases now ingrained in our vocabulary, such as "what's done is done" or having some "elbow room," were created by Shakespeare.
"I think that (visitors) will learn much they didn't know before and will come to a new appreciation of his works," Suda said.