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We invite visitors to enter the world of Shakespeare at Folger Shakespeare Library!
Docent-led tours offer visitors a chance to explore the library and see one of the Folger's 82 First Folios. Step inside the Founders' Room to hear the story of Henry Clay Folger and Emily Jordan Folger, their love of Shakespeare, and their vision to create the Folger Shakespeare Library as a gift to the American people. Tours take visitors into the Folger's Elizabethan Theatre, as well as through the current exhibition in the Great Hall.
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Photo by Chester Simpson ©
Daily Walk-In Tours
Free docent-led tours are offered daily, with no reservation required. All tours are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
- Monday through Saturday at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
- Sunday at 12 pm and 3 pm
Our daily tours are great for groups smaller than 15 guests. For larger groups, please fill out our visit request form.
Other Tours
To request a Group Tour, please fill out our visit request form.
We also offer a limited number of collection-focused visits, and can arrange tours for classroom groups.
All tours are subject to docent availability; last-minute cancellations may occur.
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Tours of the Folger Reading Rooms
Scholars from all over the world come to the Folger reading rooms to use the Folger’s Shakespeare and early modern collections.
Guided tours for visitors are available on Saturdays from noon to 1pm and on Sundays from 1–2pm.
These tours are free, but advance reservations are required. Please request a tour reservation; reservations will be finalized with an email confirmation.
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Folger Shakespeare Library
Tours of the Elizabethan Garden
The Folger Elizabethan Garden features plants and design inspired by Shakespeare’s plays, as well as statues by Greg Wyatt. About the Garden
Garden tours are currently unavailable, but visitors returning to the Folger after the upcoming building renovation project is completed will find expanded green spaces on the east and west sides of the building, including a revitalized Elizabethan Garden. See Landscaping Designs
More Information
For more information, contact Greg Armstrong (garmstrong@folger.edu).
