The Boston Athenaeum
Bicentennial Essays

A collection of essays that celebrates the bicentennial of the Boston Athenaeum. It focuses on the Athenaeum's origins: what were its models, and how did it differ from contemporary institutions.

Founded in 1807, the Boston Athenaeum, the largest membership library in North America, boasts an extensive collection of rare books and manuscripts as well as one of the most significant art collections at any American library. It is home to more than 700,000 books, including approximately one-half of George Washington's personal library from Mount Vernon.