Supported by the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Beyond Glass Cases represents the Library Company’s ongoing commitment to boldly, honestly, and thoughtfully interpret challenging, and at times harmful, collection items. An independent research library founded in 1731 and specializing in American society and culture from the 17th through the early 20th centuries, the Library Company has collected books and graphics throughout its almost 300-year history. Today, the Library is faced with the task of finding new and better ways of advancing understanding and engaging public awareness of the complex histories of these challenging collection items, while still holding space for their historical significance. Throughout 2024, Beyond Glass Cases showcased the work of our project partners: speculative historian Tafari Robertson; musician Zachariah Julian; anthropologist and historian Paul Wolff Mitchell; and visual artist Mark Thomas Gibson as they created art works, curate exhibitions, and composed music in dialogue with Library Company material. Their projects transcended the traditional exhibition model of a staff curator selecting items and putting them under Plexiglas vitrines in a gallery accompanied by authoritative labels telling visitors why an object is significant. The work of the project partners was documented in a professionally produced video that was included in the culminating exhibition exploring the lessons learned as the Library Company navigated the three-year Beyond Glass Cases project with our partners.

Watch the full 16-minute introductory video to Beyond Glass Cases here: