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Pass the Story On: Shakespeare’s First Folio at 400

Part of Searching for Shakespeare: Celebrating 400 years of Shakespeare’s First Folio

Two children looking at an open First Folio in an exhibition case

Booking and details

This event has passed.

Dates Sat, Apr 01 — Sun, Apr 30, 2023

Tickets Free

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library – Central Library
901 G St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001

The library is closed Sunday, April 16, for DC Emancipation Day.

Come see a First Folio — the book that gave us Shakespeare — and explore how some stories are preserved while others are lost.

Pass the Story On: Shakespeare’s First Folio at 400 looks beyond Shakespeare’s legacy as one of the world’s best-known writers to connect Shakespeare’s friends’ efforts to preserve the memory of his work with today’s efforts to preserve stories of D.C.’s Go-Go and Punk scenes.

Come explore whose memories are preserved and how we make sure their stories endure. Come explore the works of artists from the distant and recent past. And then share your story.

Please note that the exhibition and the First Folio are located in different spaces of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. See below for details about hours.

Hours and gallery talks

Main exhibition

Mon – Thu: 9:30am – 9pm
Fri – Sat: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Sun: 1–5pm

The exhibition is located on the 5th floor.

First Folio

Mon – Thu: noon – 7pm
Fri – Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: closed

The First Folio is located in the People’s Archive (4th floor) and is visible through glass walls even when the People’s Archive is closed.

Gallery talks

  • Sat, Apr 1, 1pm
  • Sat, Apr 22, 1pm
  • Sun, Apr 23, 2pm

Gallery talks will begin on the 5th floor, by the exhibit kiosk. The tour will include the exhibition and the First Folio.

DC Public Library

This event is part of Searching for Shakespeare: Celebrating 400 Years of Shakespeare’s First Folio, our April 2023 festival in partnership with DC Public Library.