Summer Hours Have Started
Our summer hours start May 15 and continue until October 31. We will be open Monday-Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Readings in the Gallery
The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum celebrates its 19th annual summer reading series with a four-part program featuring nationally recognized poets and writers. Readings are free, begin at 7:00 P.M. and are followed by a reception and book signing. This season programs will take place in the Art Gallery and seating may be limited. Doors will open at 6:30 PM.
June 13 - Sara London & Joan Aleshire
June 27 - Pamela Harrison & Galway Kinnell
July 5 - Chard deNiord & Daniel Lusk
July 11 - Jane Shore & Stanley Plumly
Children Library Summer Events
The Pet Parade will be held 6/9/2012 at 10:00. Anyone is welcome-even stuffed pets are O. K.! You may pre-register in the Children's Room at the Athenaeum or on the morning of the parade at the Father Lively Center on Summer St. Registration will begin at 8:30. Ten prizes will be awarded in different categories. There will be free drinks and ice cream and a "bouncy house" will be set up for all. We are expecting the return of our camel, possibly with a friend, and any other unusual pets would be great. Anyone wanting further information may call the Athenaeum at 802-748-8291.
The Summer Reading Program will begin on June 27 with a visit at 2:00 from our favorite magician Tom Joyce. This program is to encourage our young patrons to continue reading over the summer months. By registering they will receive a special certificate and reading record to track their progress. The theme of this year's program is Dream Big Read and the program will continue for the month of July. Many different programs and craft days will be held during the month. A calendar of events can be picked up in the Children's Room.
Athenaeum Program Videos
If you missed a program at the Athenaeum, KATV has a library of videos of past events.
Go to www.katv.org and enter "Athenaeum" in the search box to see all the videos of Athenaeum programs. It takes about one week after a program has occurred for the video to be available.
Love the Painting, Visit the Park!
If you love the painting the Domes of Yosemite and dream of visiting the park, here is your chance! The 2012 Athenaeum Summer Raffle prize is a trip to Yosemite National Park. The prize features a two-night stay for two adults at Yosemite Lodge, an $800 stipend for airfare for two adults to San Francisco, and round-trip transportation by bus from San Francisco to the Park. Trip dates must be June 21-24, 2013. Tickets are $50 each available at the Athenaeum. Prize value $2,300. Drawing is September 1, 2012. See all the details on the summer raffle page on our site.
Student Volunteers Help with Spring Cleaning
St. Johnsbury Academy students recently visited the Athenaeum to offer their polishing skills for community service. The students polished the extensive woodwork and moldings in the Art Gallery. Pictured are teachers polishing one of the original Victorian chairs that graced the Art Gallery when it opened in 1873.
Meet the Staff - Elaine Garrison
Elaine Garrison has served as a docent providing tours of the building and collections for over twelve years. She says, "I love meeting new people and introducing them to the Athenaeum." Her history with the Athenaeum goes beyond serving as a docent.
Elaine grew up in St. Johnsbury and attended St. Johnsbury Academy, graduating in 1954 and raising her family here as well. "When I was in high school, I remember visiting the Athenaeum and the Art Gallery had limited access to students. When we celebrated our Academy 50th reunion in 2004, I invited my class to visit the Athenaeum and I provided a tour. So many of my classmates were shocked to discover our collection. Many of them had no idea what resided in this section of the building. All of us were studying about history in far away places and we had such treasures right here in our town."
She describes the acquisition of Bierstadt's Domes of Yosemite as "serendipitous" and is grateful to Horace Fairbanks and his family for providing this magnificent cultural treasure to our town.
Staff Picks - Bonnie Dasher-Andersen
The Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas
This first book by the author is a magical historical novel and parts of it beg to be read aloud. Eleanora Cohen, a young girl from Romania whose mother dies in childbirth, is raised by her weak-willed father and cruel stepmother. At the age of eight, she follows her father to Stamboul (modern day Istanbul), followed by a mysterious flock of birds.
Through a plot twist that won't be revealed here, Eleanora winds up a permanent guest of father's her business partner. It is here that Eleanora discovers the world of books and the splendors of the city.
This is a wonderfully evocative book that transports the reader to another time and place.
The Friends Need You
Joining the Friends of the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum is a wonderful way to continue to support our programs and services. The Friends also act as volunteers at special events and operate Secondhand Prose, their used bookstore on Main Street.
If you are already a Friend, consider renewing your membership now. Click here to download a membership renewal form. For more information, please contact Lisa von Kann at the Athenaeum.
