Reading period access: From December 10 to 19, access to the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center and the Fisher Fine Arts Library will be limited to PennCard holders and other Penn affiliates. Find more information.

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Events at the Kislak Center

Event Series

Upcoming Events

Watch past events on Youtube

Dec 12
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: A Book of Hours from the 19th Century

On December 12, Curators Dot Porter and Nick Herman will be joined by Conservation Librarian Tessa Gadomski. We'll look at an as-yet uncataloged book of hours, written in the late 19th century. It was featured in an unboxing video in January, 2023. 

  • December 12, 2024
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
Photo of the 19th century book of hours
Dec 19
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Order of Teutonic Knights

On December 19, Curator Dot Porter will bring out Ms. Codex 105, a collection of papal bulls and documents concerning privileges granted to the Order of Teutonic Knights. It was copied in Germany around 1450.

  • December 19, 2024
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
photo from the manuscript
Jan 23
  • Workshop
Open to the Public

Coffee with a Codex: Biblical Lexicon in Hebrew

On January 23, we'll be joined by friend of CWAC Louis Meiselman, Judaica Special Collections Cataloging Librarian. He'll introduce us to CAJS Rar Ms 375, a 13th century copy of a Biblical lexicon in Hebrew.

  • January 23, 2025
  • 12:00pm - 12:30pm
  • Online
image of the manuscript
Jan 29
Open to the Public

Benjamin Bagby and Sequentia: Storytelling and Music 800 Years Before Netflix

Vocalist, harper, and scholar Benjamin Bagby, and his medieval music ensemble Sequentia, share how music and voice were central to the world of noble entertainment in the Middle Ages.

  • January 29, 2025
  • 5:15pm - 7:00pm
  • Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th Floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
Three musicians dressed in black; two are holding harps
Mar 20 - 21
  • Symposium
Open to the Public

The Scopes Trial at 100: Secularism, Race, and Education

This symposium will feature some of the most cutting-edge scholars linking the Scopes Trial to our present moment one hundred years later.

  • March 20 - 21, 2025
  • Hybrid event: Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th Floor, and Virtual
A political cartoon depicting two men, Tweedledarrow and Tweedlebryan, fighting to be in the spotlight. Text reads "you're trying to hog my spotlight!"
Apr 01
  • Lecture
Open to the Public

Collecting and Reading the Dreyfus Affair: Postcards, Photo Albums, and Journals

Karine Macarez, 2024 Lorraine Beitler Research Fellow, shares how lesser-studied mediums such as postcards, photo albums, and journals illustrate public opinions around the Dreyfus Affair.

  • April 1, 2025
  • 5:30pm - 7:00pm
  • Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 6th Floor
A political cartoon shows a bearded man writing "J'accuse" in bold, black font, with other figures appearing ready for conflict in the background
Apr 02
  • Book Talk
Open to the Public

Book Talk: Michael Visontay on "Noble Fragments"

Journalist Michael Visontay tells the story of the maverick who scandalized the bibliophile world one hundred years ago.

  • April 2, 2025
  • 5:30pm - 6:30pm
  • Kislak Center Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion, 6th Floor, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
Michael Visontay: Noble Fragments, the maverick who broke up the world's greatest book