Considered to be one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, the George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore houses 300,000 rare and historic volumes. They were fantastic the week and especially the day of the wedding. It reminded them of the scene from Beauty and the Beast when Beast shows Belle his library. When The Johns Hopkins University was established in 1877 the Peabody Board of 1851 but Congress, plagued with the slavery controversy and suspicious On our way to the rare books room, which is in a corner room up a few flights of stairs, I looked to my right and notice the Ben Franklin titlesnot first editions, but old nevertheless and are accessible to everyone. The George Peabody Library, housed in the world-renowned Peabody Institute of Music, is part of the Sheridan Libraries Special Collections at Johns Hopkins University. Maryland record ("About This Item") with your request. The library as time machine: Esposito fast forwards to the 19th century and shows me a book that could only have been produced with the technology of its era: Eadweard Muybridges Animal Locomotion: An Elecro-Photographic Investigation of Consecutive Phases of Animal Movements, first published in 1887. Stop by and you will need to book it! Awe-inspiring doesnt begin to describe the threshold between the real world and the Alice in Wonderland proportions of the atrium at Baltimores George Peabody Library. If you are looking for the wow factor, this is the place! The gallery is closed on Mondays. Its black-and-white marble floor adds to the opulent, elegant setting. You can only use their 3 catering vendors we went with Classic Catering, which was far less pricy than Occasions but still not inexpensive (they were, by the way, fabulous well worth the money!). advise you in both how to fill out a call slip and when the item can be served. Visitor access is limited to the ground floor, and you must show government-issued identification as well as proof of vaccination status to enter. Highsmith, C. M., photographer. Acess to the space (be it was breathtaking, five stries of books that were beautifully lit, a black and white marble floor, and a beautiful glass ceiling;absolutely nothing- i had a perfect experience, Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties, Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer Outfits. Highsmith, Carol M., 1946- Carol M. Highsmith Archive. All of my guests kept telling me all night what a beautiful venue it is and I lost count of My husband and I never really had any doubt we would be married here. So wrote George Peabody, the Massachusetts born philanthropist, in his Founder's Letter of the Peabody Institute of the City of Baltimore in 1857. Taking a position If you do not see a thumbnail image or a reference to another surrogate, please fill out a call slip in 17 E Mt Vernon Pl, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The librarys dramatic stack room is 5 tiers of ornamental cast iron balconies brimming with books. Sam, one of the day time special event coordinators at the Peabody, is just fantastic to work with throughout the process. at Willard's Hotel in Washington, On the night of, I was happy with their people as well. Since 1977, the Peabody Institute has been affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. The George Peabody Library: A Guide to Baltimore's Hidden Gem ), August 17, 1895, The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md. on straw-filled bags. at the Peabody and she was an absolute joy. Plan your wedding wherever and whenever you want on the WeddingWire App. Renowned for its striking architectural interior, the Peabody Stack Room contains five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies, which rise dramatically to the skylight 61 feet . Espinosa pulled out a first edition of Charles Darwins On the Origin of Species (1859), still remarkably intact with its original binding. The first time we walked in, our mouths just dropped and we knew this was it. As a Quaker, giving back to the community was immensely important. Once we got into the reception it got darker out. The collection is non-circulating which means that, while the collection is open to the general public, books can only be read inside the library. Site coordinator only available 1 day per week/ hard to track down. A century later, in 1977, the Peabody Institute 6,689 were here. for London's poor and the Peabody Education Fund, which helped to heal Yet, the effect is as intricate as Parisian lace. Baltimore, Born in 1795 in South Danvers, Massachusetts (the city was later renamed in his honor), Peabody was one of seven children. So, they will take your money and you'll spend months planning your wedding only to have them cancel your big day eventually. By Clicking "Subscribe" you agree to have read the. We will cherish these memories forever! It provided Baltimore with a research library, scholarly lectures in the The accommodations of the bridal suite to get ready was a wonderful extra addition for us to use and relax on the day. Forms part of the Carol M. Highsmith Archive. in Baltimore, which later established the Peabody Cons, of Music. It rained on our wedding day and I could not have cared less because our venue (ceremony and reception) was the Peabody. vendors made us feel as though we were not "just another wedding". George Peabody founded the institute that bears his name in 1857 as the first conservatory in the United States. Dank rooms with The George Peabody Library, formerly the Library of the Peabody Institute of the City of Baltimore, dates from the founding of the Peabody Institute in 1857. The steampunk eccentricity is suggestive of an industrial, celestial railroad. Therefore, it does not license or charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute the material. was recorded by renowned Civil War photographer Matthew Brady. The Peabody Institute is the practical embodiment of this belief. For a time George Peabody considered establishing a network of Historic Collection at George Peabody Library I've photographed there many time and it still wows me every time I walk through the doors. Please note that anyone who disrupts the learning environment may be asked to leave. We couldn't have imagined our reception taking place anywhere elsejust know that your wedding is no more important than a business lunch or awards dinner to the coordinators and managers of the venue. this architectural marvel, I was in awe. From the day I emailed Judy at the Private Events office, to the night of the wedding after we walked down the steps as husband and wife, we were thrilled with the experience. I couldn't have asked for a better venue to get married at. U.S. and Europe had little or no impact in reducing deaths from COVID-19. The Peabody staff were wonderful to work with and quick to respond to questions. George Peabody Library, formerly the Library of the Peabody Institute of the City of Baltimore, is part of the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries. Judy Moskowitz was our events coordinator, and was just great to work with! at the earliest possible time. Following your ceremony amidst the stacks, your guests will enjoy cocktails in the Exhibit Gallery surrounded by rare and storied items from the Library's extensive collection. helpful with any questions we had throughout the planning process! The ironwork was fabricated by the Bartlett-Robbins Company. One of Baltimores many architectural treasures is the George Peabody Library at the Peabody Institute of Music in Mount Vernon. As such, the Conservatory is uniquely positioned to offer the focused training one expects of a traditional music school within the larger network of the universitys world-famous centers of research and learning in the sciences, humanities, and medicine. - [1] It will wow your guests and guarantee a truly grand wedding. We booked a little over a year in advance although I will note that by that time, they had already started booking dates for May and June 2019. 1 photograph : digital, TIFF file, color. The events staff were extremely responsive, getting back to me and my planner with answers to our questions in a very timely manner. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In addition to its traditional use as a research library, the George Peabody Library has now become the premiere wedding and event venue in Baltimore. I've been wanting to get married here since forever and all my wedding dreams came true last weekend. I cannot contain my excitement when talking about The George Peabody Library as a wedding venue. Libraries and churches have a lot in common. But what I especially love about the place is that along with the beauty of the venue you get a very friendly, helpful and professional staff. If you are looking for a venue with the WOW factor, this is it. Cherry blossom season in Mt. In our fast paced and digitally-evolving world those sorts of experiences actually slow things down in a good way and leave room and time for thought the whole purpose of a library such as this after all.. The Peabody is known as one of the most beautiful libraries on earth. The hanging lights are worth the extra expense! However, when you have an experienced planner following the rules isn't too difficult. They have 3 caterers you can choose from and then a list of recommended vendors. The George Peabody Gallery is open Tuesdays through Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.&ndash3 p.m.; and Sundays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.. The library's dramatic "stack room" is 5 tiers of ornamental cast iron balconies brimming with books. Espinoza turned to the books final paragraph, a passage that proves Darwin to have been a diplomatic stylist who knew that his was a paradigm-shifting book. And mysteries do remain to be unraveled and decoded: The Peabody shares 400,000 volumes within the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries circuitmost of it in the social sciences and humanities. Have you ever visited George Peabody Library? The Peabody Library building, which opened in 1878, was designed by Baltimore architect Edmund G. Lind, in collaboration with the first provost, Dr. Nathaniel H. Morison. Individual plates sell for as much as $1,500 dollars. George Peabody | Peabody Institute The George Peabody Library's The Cat in Ancient Egypt, published in 1940, tells the story of the cat goddess named Mafdet, often pictured with a cheetah's head, who would speed the pharaoh's soul to the afterworld. George Peabody Library, Baltimore | Roadtrippers Our guests were in awe, and many of them commented that it was the most breathtaking venue they had ever seen. I had no issues. They can also be places where people can experience life-changing, sometimes even spiritual, revelations. We had such an amazing team of qualified, professional and friendly vendors that worked together to make our dream wedding come true. Built in 1878 at the behest of philanthropist George Peabody, the library was originally part of an arts and culture instituteAmerica's first music conservatorythat he created to be available. To demonstrate the craft of handmade bookmaking at its height, Esposito showed me a book of hours crafted by monks in the mid-15th century. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, highsm 18384 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/highsm.18384. Vernon is always a magical time of year. the Library of Congress because of rights considerations, but you have access to larger size images on I can't put into words how amazing it felt to see the venue the day of. We are giving a lower rating because of our experience in booking and using of the space. Many of our guests commented that they enjoyed reading more about the venue during the cocktail hour through the exhibit. established a public education system for the states of the American South, The Conservatorys present faculty includes Guggenheim fellows, Fulbright grantees, Pulitzer Prize winners, and prizewinners in the Moscow Tchaikovsky Competition and Queen Elisabeth of Belgium Competition. recognizing the importance of his country making a good showing, put up If you are looking for the wow factor, this is the place! Among the leading musicians who have served on the Peabody faculty are composers Henry Cowell, Elliott Carter, Peter Mennin, Ernst Krenek, Benjamin Lees, Earle Brown, and Hugo Weisgall; violinists William Kroll, Louis Persinger, Oscar Shumsky, and Roman Totenberg; cellists Aldo Parisot and Zara Nelsova; pianists Erno Balogh, Harold Bauer, Ernest Hutcheson, Mieczyslaw Munz, Reginald Stewart, and George Walker; scholars Nadia Boulanger, Otto Ortmann, and Nicolas Slonimsky. While there are some rules and regulations to the venue, it didn't hinder our ability to celebrate the way we wanted to. From initially booking the venue through our wedding day the staff was wonderful to work with. The Peabody provided the perfect backdrop for a romantic winter ceremony and reception. The George Peabody Library, housed in the world-renown Peabody Institute of Music, is part of the Sheridan Libraries at the Johns Hopkins University. The library is now home to 300,000 volumes comprising the Johns Hopkins University special collections, and remains open to the public, as was philanthropist George Peabody's intention when he . After your cocktails, the main doors swing open to reveal Peabodys decadent vision An extensive library, well-furnished in every department of knowledge. Today the collection contains over 300,000 volumes and is remarkable for its historic breadth and depth. In todays currency, he gave more than $158,000,000 in acts of munificence with great emphasis on education, and no city benefitted more than his adopted hometown of Baltimore. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. George Peabody Library - Venue - Baltimore, MD - WeddingWire If the wedding vibes you are seeking include words like - magical, romantic, and awe-inspiring, the Peabody is for you. the wounded South, were the prototypes for the modern philanthropic foundation, The beauty of the venue is unparalleled. The Peabody Institute, according to George Peabodys charter, originally comprised a free public library, a lecture series, a conservatory of music and an art collection. " Beautiful " Feb 2023 Well worth the quick look! In many cases, the originals can be served in a few minutes. me onthere is no other venue in Baltimore that compares to the ambiance here. Without family connections or formal education, he achieved international success as an investment banker in London. For the second installment in The Daily Beasts deep dive into the Worlds Most Beautiful Libraries, our focus is on a domestic Gilded Age marvel, an absolute treasure that is as powerful as the knowledge contained therein. I highly recommend avoiding at all costs. While we looked at a few other venues in DC and Maryland, nothing could compare to the elegance and beauty that is the George Peabody Library. I've been wanting to get married here since forever and all my wedding dreams came true last weekend. Share with your guests to collect your wedding photos. Peabody . Today, it's is a part of Johns Hopkins Special Collections Department, but the non-circulating library remains free and open to the general public-- plus Johns Hopkins is always expanding the collection and keeping the gorgeous building in great shape so that people can come enjoy the library's beauty and its literature for years to come. September. In the grand reading room, which soars to 61 feet, the tallest person is dwarfed. For example, people don't like it if you talk really loudly while you're inside them. Not only did his generous present to the city include the gorgeous building (which has 5 stories, each capped with ornate cast iron balconies decorated with gold-scalloped bookcases and illuminated by a huge, soaring skylight) and a massive collection of books, but it also came with a series of lectures, an art college and a music conservatory basically, it was a palace dedicated to the arts. - ), September 7, 1895, - For an affordable wedding venue, consider renting an Airbnb instead. were prototypes for the modern philanthropic foundation, but it was not War. a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate. The following spot is an architectural wonder that anyone would love, especially if youre a bookworm. The set up of the tour for this venue was quick and straight to the point. Once we booked, we were able to make minor adjustments, for example, we initially booked the venue only until 10pm thinking wed have an afterpartythen I realized I didnt want to have to plan that so we were able to extend the reservation until midnight. The library was a gift to the people of Baltimore from philanthropist George Peabody (duh). A glamorous wedding at Baltimore's George Peabody Library - Bridal Musings - One of the oldest books is a beautifully illustrated 1493 history of the world called The Nuremberg Chronicle., Curator Paul Espinosa, relates that the best part of working at the library is sharing the collection with students and the larger public in more depth. Great for a wedding with 120 to 150 guests. George Peabody Library: Past and present 0 Comment Our guests are still talking about how stunning everything was! The American exhibits languished on the English docks Such a unique space to have an event. Its architecture perfectly complements transformation into a stunningly, picture perfect wedding reception setting, especially, in our case, with soft lighting strung across the atrium that beautifully accentuated the five tiers of black and brass railings and frosted glass ceiling. peabody - Maryland State Archives Your guests will be surrounded by six tiers of stately cast-iron columns, decorative railings, and classical embellishments touched with gold-leaf in this room that rises 61 feet from its black-and-white marble floor to the massive skylight that caps the central interior. To contact Reference staff in the Prints and Photographs Reading Room, please use our Long before Andrew Carnegie became the Johnny Appleseed of public libraries, Peabody was on the case. George Peabody Library | Reception Venues - The Knot What this venue has been doing during the pandemic is cruel. The George Peabody Library provides a breathtaking backdrop for weddings, dinners, and events of all kinds. This stunning wedding was beautifully captured by Rachel May Photography. There's no other way to describe it. was George Peabody's largest single benefaction. (Some images display only as thumbnails outside Maintaining the provisions of Mr. Peabodys original gift, the George Peabody Library is a non-circulating collection open to the general public. We used the exhibit hall for cocktail hour and the library for the ceremony and reception. https://www.loc.gov/item/2013646466/. The most unique venue in Baltimore. George Peabody | Encyclopedia.com It gave our wedding such a classic feel. der-to-reach venues in Pennsylvania. - George Peabody Library Private Events " Jun 2023 It's close to the George Washington monument so it a good little sightseeing area. While I can certainly respect the professionalism needed to run the operation, many times I was made to feel as if my wedding was just another contract in a file folder. of Trustees passed a resolution calling for the two institutions to affiliate that was astonishing for that era, Peabody insisted on providing educational The Peabody Education Fund, which of the nineteenth century. Peabody Library Curator Paul Espinosa discusses the design and history of the Peabody Library, one of the world's most beautiful libraries! Large slabs of black and white marble that cover the floor and fanciful parlor globe sconces keep the room from feeling weighed down by the metal scaffolding. The space was perfectly laid out to accommodate our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception seamlessly. Highsmith, Carol M, photographer. I am really, really happy with our choice and would not have done it any other way! George Peabody - Linda Hall Library The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University is a private conservatory and preparatory school in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. George Peabody [3] was born on 18 February 1795 in South Danvers (now Peabody), Massachusetts. Jun 28, 2023. Often touted as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, and appropriately nicknamed the Cathedral of Books, the Peabody Library was built in 1887 under the direction of architect Edmund G. Lind, who lit the famous five verdigris tiers with a dazzling glacial skylight.