Karpeles Manuscript Library

I didn’t even know this library and museum was even tucked away here in downtown.
There are apparently manuscript libraries all over the country which was interesting to know!
The exhibits here are frequently changed and while we were here they had a Charles Dickens exhibit and before that a Mark Twain exhibit.
There were a few other displays but the in the main room it mainly went consisted of Dickens.
There is a smaller room off to the left of the entrance hallway which some might think is a little bit sneaky since you wouldn’t know that there was more to see if you didn’t ask or inspect yourself around the corner. In this room it contained manuscripts and documents of Germany and Japan surrendering in regards to WWII.
Lots of fascinating history here and definitely worth a peak! Admission is free and despite what Google or Unilocal says they are closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Monday may change but the additional sign on the door says «until further notice «so heads up on that.

For the history buff in you. FREE! apparently there are branches nationwide and this is the ignored branch in WA state. The forgotten art of hANDWRITING.

Walking past this building for the 100^th time, wondering what the heck a «manuscript library» was, I decide to walk up and examine the architecture. A man inside opens the door and invites us in. He explains what is currently on display (the Boy Scouts of America’s founding documents) as well as some permanent displays of some old maps and some writings by some of our founding fathers! My kind of thing. I love history. Well, it got cooler, because it was FREE (with donations accepted).
The room is like a massive ballroom with soaring ceilings and a stage with curtain, with a weathered looked to the windows on some areas of the ceiling, due to deferred maintenance. One of the rooms had a definite mildewy smell to it. Hopefully they will work to preserve this building and lot let it further decay.
It wa sa joy to peruse the building and view some OOOooOLD documents this lovely organization preserves for posterity. I fully recommend droppng in to experience it and also dropping a small donation to the cause.

I was attracted to the building that has six large Greco-​Roman columns and portico which form the entrance to the Karpeles Manuscript Museum. This area is rich with great architecture and I enjoy snapping pictures of it. The boringness of a manuscript library wasnt lost on me and the edifice actually encourages this «old fashion» feel, none the less when opportunity came I checked it out.
They say: «As both children and adults view the papers in some fifty oak and glass cases, they gain a fresh appreciation of their heritage. The primary sources of history displayed in the museum provide the means for increasing the cultural literacy of the population the museum serves.» I have to say that it is actually kinda cool to consider these men on a more personal level as I roam the isles peering down at the writings of papers older than us all.
Exhibits, which are always admission free, are normally on display for three months at a time.
Exhibits right now are from some prominent Americans from the Adams Family… insert pop culture joke. Im talking about: The John Adams (October 30, 1735 — July 4, 1826), an American statesman and leading Founding Father; John Quincy Adams (July 11, 1767 — February 23, 1848) was the sixth President of the United States; Samuel Adams (September 27 [O.S. September 16] 1722 — October 2, 1803) was an American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers… again, insert pop culture joke ;)