First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare – Virginia

First Folio! The Book that Gave Us Shakespeare was a touring exhibition from the Folger Shakespeare Library that visited one location in all 50 United States, Puerto Rico, and Washington DC in 2016 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.


This article provides highlights from the exhibition’s visit to Virginia.

Exhibition Location: Charlottesville, Virginia

Exhibition Venue: University of Virginia

Exhibition Dates: October 1, 2016 – October 26, 2016


Partner Organizations:

  • American Shakespeare Center, Staunton VA


Complementary Exhibition:

  • Shakespeare By The Book - Feb 1, 2016 – Dec 31 2016
    • Curated by Molly Schwartzburg, features materials from UVA’s collection and designed to complement the Folio exhibit.


Event List:

  • April 8 – 9, 2016 – Two programs for High School Teachers on the Folio, textual variants, and Shakespeare pedagogy, taught as a collaboration between the UVA Center for the Liberal Arts and the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton, VA
  • September 29 – October 8, 2016 - The Comedy of Errors, directed by Drama Professor Emeritus Betsy Tucker
  • October 2, 2016 – Gala Opening hosted by UVA President Theresa Sullivan and UVA librarian John Unsworth
  • October 3, 2016 – Lecture by Andrew Wade
  • October 6, 2016 – One-Day UVA, an educational program involving collaboration between the library, the English Department, and UVA’s Rare Book School
  • October 7-8, 2016 – ASC's fall seminar for teachers on King Lear
  • October 8, 2016 – Shakespeare Family Day - Performance workshops for all ages, craft and skills tables.
  • October 12, 2016 –The American Reception of Shakespeare – Lecture by Professor Virginia Vaughan
  • October 14, 2016 – Vigil For the Bard, a medley of Shakespearean performances by graduate and undergraduate students in the UVA Drama Dept.
  • October 19, 2016 – Special visit for ASC patrons with attention to the wonderful exhibit UVA Small Library curators put together to accompany the Folio
  • October 21-23, 2016 – Folger Micro-grant supported workshop lead by Drs. Cohen, Davies, and Menzer lead sessions for College Professors


Click here to learn about the First Folio that visited Virginia.