RBS 40th Anniversary Celebration

The RBS Board of Directors and staff are pleased to welcome you to Edgar Shannon Library. We invite our special guests to join us in celebrating RBS’s relationship with the University of Virginia and sharing the moment with the many people who have led to our success here in Charlottesville over the years. Below is the schedule of the day.

If you have not registered for this event or if you need to update your RSVP, please do so through our registration form, powered by UVA Qualtrics.

You may park in the UVA Central Grounds Garage, which is adjacent to Shannon Library. Parking is complimentary via the Offstreet app and may be arranged in advance or in the moment via a computer or on your phone. Please see our instructions for how to use the app. (Note: You will need your car’s state of registration and license plate number. If you are renting a car, you might need to wait to arrange parking through Offstreet until you have that information. A printed confirmation of your reservation is NOT required to park.)

For questions, please contact Adam Miller, Director of Development, at (434) 243-1010 or adam.miller@virginia.edu.

 

Schedule of Events

Friday, September 20, 1:00–8:30 p.m. 

Rare Book School, 2nd Floor, UVA Edgar Shannon Library, 160 McCormick Road
(parking nearby at UVA Central Grounds Garage, 400 Emmet Street S)

Please join us for activities all afternoon that celebrate Rare Book School’s new quarters and the renovated Shannon Library as well as provide a glimpse into our educational programming and teaching collections. Registration for these recurring activities is not required and operate on a drop-in manner.

Tour of RBS Suite & Library — Take a guided walking tour through the renovated Edgar Shannon Library. RBS staff will lead you through the new RBS suite, including its seminar rooms and staff offices as well as through the stacks, atriums, and unique spaces (like the McGregor Room) that had been transformed during the $171 million renovation. Tours begin at the top of every hour outside of Room 230.

40th Anniversary Oral History Video Screenings — Hear the stories of RBS leaders, faculty, staff, and students who have made meaningful contributions to the School’s history and development. Recorded as part of an oral history project to commemorate our 40th anniversary in 2023, these videos will be presented in an ongoing loop throughout the afternoon and evening. Come and go as you please.

Letterpress Demonstrations — Fire up the printing presses in RBS’s new Printing Office! Led by RBS staff, learn more about early printing methods, and print a keepsake to commemorate your visit to Rare Book School.

Audubon Materials from the RBS Collection – How can you tell an original Audubon print from a later reproduction? Join Rare Book School founder Terry Belanger for a closer look at the printing processes used in original and facsimile Audubon illustrations.

Gallery Talk – Join RBS Director of Collections, Exhibitions & Scholarly Initiatives Barbara Heritage on a guided tour of our first exhibition in Shannon Library: “Margaret Armstrong’s Book of Nature.” Learn more about America’s best-known designer of cloth bookbindings and her development during the 35 years that she was active as a book artist (1890–1926). Tours are 30 minutes in length and begin at 3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

Bookbinding Demonstrations — RBS staff members Sarah Hale and Rachel Budge will show how signatures are sewn for bookbinding and will give a leather tooling demonstration.

 

12:00–7:00 p.m. 

  • Registration, Orientation, Nametags & Swag Bags


1:00 p.m.

  • Tour of RBS & Library – Meet at RBS Suites (Room 230)

 

2:00 p.m.

  • Tour of RBS & Library – Meet at RBS Suites (Room 230)

 

3:00 p.m.

  • Tour of RBS & Library – Meet at RBS Suites (Room 230)
  • 40th Anniversary Oral History Screenings – Seminar C (Room 236)
  • Audubon Materials from the RBS Collection — Belanger Room (Room 238)
  • Letterpress Demo & Keepsake – Printing Office (Room 240)
  • Gallery Talk – Margaret Armstrong Exhibition at RBS Suite (Room 230)
  • Bookbinding Demo – Tanenbaum Seminar Room (Room 234)

 

3:30 p.m.

  • 40th Anniversary Oral History Screenings – Seminar C (Room 236)
  • Letterpress Demo & Keepsake – Printing Office (Room 240)
  • Audubon Materials from the RBS Collection — Belanger Room (Room 238)
  • Gallery Talk – Margaret Armstrong Exhibition at RBS Suite (Room 230)
  • Bookbinding Demo – Tanenbaum Seminar Room (Room 234)

 

4:00 p.m.

  • Tour of RBS & Library – Meet at RBS Suites (Room 230)
  • 40th Anniversary Oral History Screenings – Seminar C (Room 236)
  • Letterpress Demo & Keepsake – Printing Office (Room 240)
  • Audubon Materials from the RBS Collection — Belanger Room (Room 238)
  • Gallery Talk – Margaret Armstrong Exhibition at RBS Suite (Room 230)
  • Bookbinding Demo – Tanenbaum Seminar Room (Room 234)

 

5:30–8:30 p.m.

Please join us for drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres in the RBS Event & Reception Areas. Brief remarks by G. Scott Clemons and Michael F. Suarez, S.J. will be delivered at 6:30 p.m. (Room 230).

The following events will be ongoing during the reception:

  • Tours of RBS Suite & Offices (Rooms 230 & 231)
  • 40th Anniversary Oral History Screenings – Seminar C (Room 236)
  • Letterpress Demo & Keepsake – Printing Office (Room 240)
  • Audubon Materials from the RBS Collection — Belanger Room (Room 238)
  • Notions Shop – Merchandise in Tanenbaum Room (Room 234)

 

Weekend Plans — Beyond Friday

We invite guests and those traveling for the weekend to take part in the many self-guided activities that Charlottesville has to offer in the fall.

  • Visit the Bookstores!
    Saturday, Sept. 21 – Sunday, Sept. 22
    Pop in to the many new and used bookstores in town. Plan ahead with our Antiquarian Bookhunting in Charlottesville guide (Paper copies available at registration.)
  • Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
    Open daily, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on Saturday)
    From guided tours to independent experiences, find what works best for your schedule and interests.
    1050 Monticello Loop, Charlottesville, VA 22902
  • James Monroe’s Highland
    Open daily, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
    Learn about James Monroe and U.S. history through inclusive narratives of Highland and the people who lived on the property.
    2050 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22902
  • The Fralin Museum of Art
    Open Saturday (10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.)
    Experience fine art and curated exhibitions in UVA’s premier art museum.
    155 Rugby Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904
  • UVA Chamber Music Series
    Sunday, Sept. 22 (3:00 p.m.)
    The Chamber Music Series presents innovative performances by UVA’s world-class faculty and celebrated guest artists. Join the first concert of the 2024–25 season with violinist David Sariti.
    Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903
  • Fall into Fun Festival
    Saturday, Sept. 21 – Sunday, Sept. 22 (12:00–4:00 p.m.)
    Celebrate apple and pumpkin season at Chiles Peach Orchard with festive-fall themed entertainment.
    1351 Greenwood Road, Crozet, VA 22932
    Tickets not required
  • Cville Sabroso Festival
    Saturday  Sept. 21 (1:00–10:00 p.m.)
    Music, dancing, multicultural food and drinks, kids’ activities, artisan handicrafts, and more going on under Ting Pavilion’s big tent (rain or shine)!
    Ting Pavilion
    700 East Main Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902