Events › Special Collections Open House: Women Who Shaped the BPL

Happy Women’s History Month! Boston Public Library, and Special Collections specifically, owe an enormous debt to the generosity, work, and financial contributions of women. Some of the first collections to be donated to the Boston Public Library and its Special Collections were gifted by women. Women made generous financial donations in the library’s first days of existence so that it could continue to acquire books and grow its collections, and behind the scenes it was the labor and expertise of women that helped to catalog, describe, make accessible, and conserve these incredibly valuable collections. 

We are particularly excited to highlight books conserved by the first female conservator, who worked to ensure that our collections, especially the John Adams library, remained usable and accessible for many years to come. The contributions of these women have so often been overlooked in the history of the BPL but, without these women, it is hard to imagine where Special Collections and the library would be today. Special Collections is excited to highlight the amazing contributions of these women, so please stop by to see a variety of books, artwork, and personal items that showcase the stories of these women!

Join us on Tuesday March 25 from 2 pm - 4 pm for a special open house where staff will be available to answer questions as you explore collection items up close. No reservation is required to attend this open house.

The Associates of the Boston Public Library provides critical funding to support the long-term preservation of and enhanced public access to BPL special collections. 

Accessibility Notice: We strive to make our events accessible. To request a disability accommodation and/or language services, contact specialcollections@bpl.org. Please allow at least two weeks to arrange accommodation.