As our loyal readers know, in 1905, W.C. Putnam generously donated to our library a reproduction of a frieze designed by Donatello in the 1400s.
The frieze, which hung in the library’s auditorium for decades, was removed when the original Carnegie building was razed in 1966. The frieze lived in the Blackhawk Hotel until last year, when it finally returned to us and was installed in our Special Collections Center.
In order to celebrate the homecoming of our thirty-two dancing cherubs (also known, in Italy, as putti), we would like to invite everyone to an open house in our Special Collections Center at the Main Street Library on Thursday, January 21, from 5-7pm.
Mayor Gluba will begin the festivities with a talk about the significance of the frieze and there will be a running photo presentation showing how this twenty-four foot piece of art was moved, cleaned, and reassembled. Light refreshments will also be served.
However, we have been sternly advised that we will not be creating a living representation of the frieze and dancing the conga through our stacks.
But won’t you please join us anyway?
Oh, sounds like fun! I’ll try and make it.
We hope to see you there, Adrian!