There are 39 upcoming classes.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/03/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/04/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/05/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/06/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/07/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/08/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/09/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Princeton Art Museum: Watercolors and Pastels
Date: 07/09/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
This class is a part of the HCLS' Museum@The Library series.
Watercolors and Pastels
Discover the nuance of watercolors and pastels as well as the ways artists from diverse traditions have embraced the richness and subtleties of these media.
Image Credit: Newfields, New Hampshire, 1917
Childe Hassam, 1859–1935; born Dorchester, MA; died East Hampton, NY; active New York, NY and East Hampton Watercolor over graphite, x1944-566
Presented by Docent Jeanne Johnson.
Jeanne Johnson is currently a docent at the Princeton University Art Museum and Morven Museum and Gardens. She regularly gives artist talks for the MCL System, Princeton Newcomers and other organizations. Trained as a classical musician, Jeanne has performed, taught, and adjudicated competitions as a career, embracing now the love of sharing art, artists’ lives, the evolution of art and the lives of patrons of art. Besides art as a passion in her life, Jeanne enjoys gardening, traveling with her husband and is eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Princeton University Art Museum in the Fall of 2025.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event. This email will also contain the dial-in information if you wish to participate by telephone.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/10/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/11/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/12/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/13/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/14/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
OTMDC: Bastille Day
Date: 07/14/25Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Celebrate Bastille Day, France's national holiday that commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison and the start of the French Revolution. (Virtually) walk through Washington D.C., uncovering the city's ties to French history, culture, and architecture with Off the Mall D.C. Tours. Join us online for a fascinating tour of landmarks and revolutionary connections - no passport or walking shoes needed!
Presented in partnership with Off the Mall D.C. founder and guide, Katie Kirkpatrick
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation. You will receive the link to the online class in the confirmation email. If you prefer to call in by phone, please register for the class online and then email [email protected] to request the dial-in information at least 1 business day in advance.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/15/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/16/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/17/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Trivia Thursday: Celebrating 85 Years of the Library! 📚
Date: 07/17/25Time: 6:30pm - 8:15pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Third Thursday Trivia: Celebrating 85 Years of HCLS!
Join us for a special edition of Third Thursday Trivia as we celebrate the library’s 85th birthday! Test your knowledge across the decades with questions about books, movies, music, pop culture, history, and the library’s journey from 1940 to 2025.
Whether you’re an old friend of the library or just discovering us, this fun trivia challenge is a great way to honor 85 years of stories, learning, and community.
Not ready to play? No problem! Come cheer, watch, and learn.
For generations, the library has been your place to learn, connect, and grow—and this event celebrates that spirit with laughter, memories, and maybe even a few surprises.
Who will be crowned our July Birthday Trivia Champion?
Prizes, fun, and friendly competition await—don’t miss it!
Register solo or as a team, and receive an email reminder as the event approaches. Everyone is welcome!
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/18/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/19/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/20/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/21/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/22/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/23/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/24/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/25/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/26/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/27/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/28/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/29/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Author Works: The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue
Date: 07/29/25Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults, Everyone
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
“Powerful … Tidwell is an excellent reporter whose hyperlocal focus shines light on how the climate crisis shapes the lives of ordinary individuals. This will stick with readers long after they finish the last page.”
― Publishers Weekly, starred review
Join us for an evening with author Mike Tidwell as he discusses his new book, The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue.
A riveting and elegant story of climate change on one city street, full of surprises and true stories of human struggle and dying local trees – all against the national backdrop of 2023's record heat domes and raging wildfires and, simultaneously, rising hopes for clean energy.
In 2023, author and activist Mike Tidwell decided to keep a record for a full year of the growing impacts of climate change on his one urban block right on the border with Washington, DC. A love letter to the magnificent oaks and other trees dying from record heat waves and bizarre rain, Tidwell's story depicts the neighborhood's battle to save the trees and combat climate change: The midwife who builds a geothermal energy system on the block, the Congressman who battles cancer and climate change at the same time, and the Chinese-American climate scientist who wants to bury billions of the world's dying trees to store their carbon and help stabilize the atmosphere.
No book has told the story of climate change this hyper local, full of surprises, full of true stories of life and death in one neighborhood. The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue is a harrowing and hopeful proxy for every street in America and every place on Earth.
Mike Tidwell is a journalist, author, and climate activist living in Takoma Park, MD. His most recent book is a detailed examination of the dramatic impacts of global warming in his own front yard, called The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A story of Climate and Hope on One American Street. Mike’s previous six books include Bayou Farewell (2003) about the disappearing wetlands of south Louisiana and The Ponds of Kalambayi (1990), a Peace Corps memoir. As a past contributing writer for The Washington Post, he won four Lowell Thomas Awards, the highest prize in American travel journalism. He is a former National Endowment for the Arts fellow whose work has been published in Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, Orion, Washingtonian, and elsewhere. A passionate conservationist, he founded the Chesapeake Climate Action Network in 2002, where he has led local and national campaigns for clean energy. He lives on Willow Avenue in Takoma Park, MD with his wife Beth and their cat Macy Gray.
Books sales and signing follow the conversation.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/30/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
Exhibit: Hidden Voices- Mary Cardwell Dawson: The Legacy of an Opera Pioneer
Date: 07/31/25Time: 12:00am - 12:00am
Branch: Central Branch
Age group: Everyone
Program type: Race, Equity & Inclusion
Description:
During June and July, drop by the Equity Resource Center and Collection (ERCC) on the second floor of the Central Branch and experience this fascinating, multi-media exhibit. Opera has profoundly influenced modern music, leaving its mark on various genres and musical styles.
Learn about the legacy of Mary Cardwell Dawson and her impact on opera and American music history. Her history is captured in this exhibit which features a Listening Room so customers can hear not just her singing, but other artists she influenced.
Mary Cardwell Dawson and the National Negro Opera Company were an important touchstone in the history of Black opera. While companies devoted to Black performers and European repertoire had existed since the late nineteenth century, this is one of the first to be run by a Black woman. Nearly 2000 were hired over its 20-year history with performances taking place in Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York and Pittsburgh.
History Relived: 80th Anniversary of the VJ Day and the Atomic Bomb
Date: 08/05/25Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
V-J Day celebrates the formal acceptance of Japan’s unconditional surrender by the Allies of World War II. It also continued the fundamental shift of political and economic global power. After the use of two atomic devices on Japanese cities, the fundamentals of fighting war changed and brought us to the brink on several occasions. Participate in an informal discussion of the events and their consequences.
Princeton Art Museum: World of Prints
Date: 08/13/25Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Online Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
This class is a part of the HCLS' Museum@The Library series.
World of Prints
Dive into the Museum’s remarkable collection of prints, created by artists from Rembrandt and Dürer to Kara Walker and Mario Moore. Learn about a variety of printmaking techniques and the collaborative process.
Image Credit: The Rhinoceros, 1515, Albrecht Dürer, 1471–1528; born and died Nuremberg, Germany, Woodcut, 2010-149
Presented by Docent Barbara Walker.
Barbara Walker is a former teacher of English and Gifted and Talented at Steinert High School in Hamilton and at Princeton Day School where she taught Upper School courses in the Hero in Literature, the Journey in Literature, and Art in Literature to name a few. She joined the Docent training group just before the Covid epidemic began in 2020. She forged on with zoom classes and on-line tours, gave sculpture tours, and has served on the executive board as a liaison with other museums and as a book club leader. Consequently, she is delighted to share works of art from Princeton's wonderful collection of prints with your organization.
Please register with an email address to receive an immediate registration confirmation with a link to join the class/event. This email will also contain the dial-in information if you wish to participate by telephone.
Using Archaeology to Bring Local History to Life
Date: 08/16/25Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Branch: Miller Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
Explore how history, archaeology, and archives can help bring alive the stories and lives of people in the past. Using the collections of the Howard County Historical Society and other regional examples, HCHS Executive Director Ann Bennett will discuss how we can connect the past and the present through the objects of the past.
Ann Bennett has more than 20 years’ experience working in archaeology, museums, and education. Her passion and experience have centered on the small museum and historic house museum, not only to preserve the past but also to make it accessible and relevant in the present. Mrs. Bennett currently works as the Executive Director of the Howard County Historical Society and is an adjunct professor in anthropology at Cecil College. She is an administrator for the Small Museums Network and MAP Peer Reviewer for AAM. She previously served on the Small Museums committees for AASLH and AAM and was Executive Director at the Laurel Historical Society.
This event is a partnership between Howard County Library System and the Howard County Historical Society
Suffrage Pennants with the Cricut
Date: 08/18/25Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Teens
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
On August 18, 1920, Congress ratified the 19th amendment and gave women the right to vote. Celebrate the 105th anniversary and use the Cricut to make felt suffrage pennants. All materials provided.
History Relived: The Blitz: The Battle of Britain
Date: 09/09/25Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: History & Genealogy
Description:
The Blitz was the was the German bombing campaign against Britain. It was a mass air attacks against all cities, towns and industrial targets, which started with London. This started toward the end of the Battle of Britain. This was a eight month campaign, which most of the bombings were at night. Come join an informal discussion of the events and how it shaped the time then and how it shaped it the future.
Digital Genealogy Tools
Date: 10/06/25Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
Branch: Glenwood Branch
Age group: Adults
Program type: Tech Skills or STEAM
Description:
You don't have to be a genealogy expert to find out about your family's history! Numerous websites and platforms now make it possible to start learning about your ancestors from home. In this lecture, we'll discuss some of the most popular and explore their features. We'll also talk about how to access free resources, including those available from many public libraries, and explore websites offering tips and guides to creating your own digital family tree. (Class provided by Senior Planet from AARP)
