Previously we announced that the Delaware Historical Society would be launching a new exhibit called “Collecting Wilmington: Place, Perspective & Memory” – a recently acquired Paul Preston Davis Collection. The exhibit was to be rolled in 5 parts, and we’re excited to share the second part is now on display.
The Delaware Historical Society’s Chief Curator Leigh Rifenburg says this second part of the exhibition focuses on print materials.
“That includes everything from rare books, some of which were printed by Delaware’s earliest known printer, James Adams, to, as print culture starts to shift and change in the mid-19th century, everything from blank books that Wilmington’s newer businesses were using to keep their records to autograph books – things that were sort of collectively authored by young women and men,” said Rifenburg.
The exhibition largely spotlights materials from the 19th century. But Rifenburg says James Adams’ story is a necessary exception.
“This is the one time that we do veer away from our sort of strict 19th century focus. The reason we do that is to cover the story of James Adams, who was Delaware’s earliest printer,” said Rifenburg. “And we have to do that in order to lay the groundwork for what comes later on as we start to see how print and print demand in Wilmington changes.”
Three more pieces of “Collecting Wilmington” are to come next year, in January, March and May.
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