Spring 2000 | USA, IN, Bloomington

Lilly Library of the Indiana University Libraries

Jane Johnson's Manuscript Nursery Library: A Look at Eighteenth-Century Instructional Materials for a Mother and Children at Home

The Lilly Library of the Indiana University Libraries is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibition, "Jane Johnson's Manuscript Nursery Library: A Look at Eighteenth-Century Instructional Materials for a Mother and Children at Home." The exhibition is installed in the Main Gallery of the library and will continue through March 18, 2000.

The exhibition centers around the 438-piece manuscript nursery library made by Jane Johnson (1708-1759), wife of the Reverend Woolsey Johnson (1696-1756), of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. Jane Johnson prepared the materials for and with her four children, Barbara, George William, Robert Augustus, and Charles Woolsey. The 24 handmade sets of instructional materials include alphabet and word cards, lesson cards, story cards, and two small books. Of intricate design, using cutouts of printed illustrations of people, birds, animals, and objects, and Dutch gilt paper, the sets showcase one mother's artistry in designing materials for her children's instruction and amusement. Also on display are printed works representing the kinds of books that were available to purchase for children during this period in England and seventeen hornbooks.

A brochure describing the Jane Johnson manuscript nursery library and listing the items exhibited is available from the library. For a copy send an SASE to the address given below.

For more information call (812) 855-2452 or write to liblilly@indiana.edu or Lilly Library, 1200 East Seventh Street, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA.