Guide to the Providence Athenaeum newsletters, 1995-2019


Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, RI, 02903
telephone: 401-421-6970
email: info@provath.org
website: www.provath.org

Published in 2019

Collection Overview

Title: Providence Athenaeum newsletters
Date range: 1995-2019
Creator: Providence Athenaeum
Extent: 1.75 linear feet
Abstract: This collection consists of the Providence Athenaeum's newsletters, dating from 1995 to 2019. The Owl, dates 1995-2002 and is succeeded by The Universal Penman, dating 2002 to the present.
Language of materials: English
Repository: Providence Athenaeum
Collection number: Arch-007

Scope & content

This collection consists of the Providence Athenaeum's newsletters, The Owl (1995-2002) and The Universal Penman (2002- ):
  • Series 1. The Owl, 1995-2002
  • Series 2. The Universal Penman, 2002-present


These two Providence Athenaeum newsletters (1995-present) contain similar content to the previously-published Athenaeum's bulletins (1895-1995).

Series 1. The Owl, published from 1995 September through 2002 Spring, is comprised of 22 issues. The inspiration for the newsletter's title is the Owl of Athena; as Wikipedia states "In Greek mythology, a little owl (Athene noctua) traditionally represents or accompanies Athena, the virgin goddess of wisdom ... because of such association, the bird ... has been used as a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, perspicacity and erudition throughout the Western world". The Providence Athenaeum's logo of the owl is taken directly from the Athenaeum's seal, 1901.

Content: The issues consist mainly of notices of upcoming events and trips, staff photos and profiles, and administrative overviews and messages (mission statements, master plans, statistics). Both the 1999 Spring and 2000 Winter issues have annual reports inserted (the 1998 and 1999 Annual Reports). The 2000 January issue is entitled "Special Millennium Issue" and includes a Mission statement, Master plan, CRIARL membership, Personnel Roster, and "A statistical look at the Athenaeum". The 2000 Spring issue includes a 4-page insert of the minutes from the 1999 Annual Membership Meeting.

Frequency: Varies from 1-4 issues per year.

Numbering/Dating: The first two issues of The Owl are dated and have volume/issue numbering (Vol. 1, No. 1 (September 1995) and Volume 1, No. 2 (December 1995)). After that, each issue is dated but unnumbered.

Format: Length varies from 4-16 pages; page height is consistent at 28 cm., printing is on medium weight stock cream paper with black ink.

Subtitle on masthead: The Owl's first 8 issues (1995-1998) were subtitled "A Providence Athenaeum Newsletter". From Fall 1999 to Summer 2000 the subtitle changes to "The Providence Athenaeum Newsletter". With Spring 2000 the subtitle reverts to original "A Providence Athenaeum Newsletter"; the subtitle of the Fall 2000, and Winter 2000 issue is "Newsletter of the Providence Athenaeum".

Masthead formatting: From 1995 September through 1998 Summer issues, The Owl is in small type, and a small owl on a branch appears on the front and back cover. The1999 Spring issue has the owl on the cover, but a raven "perched upon a bust of Pallas..." appears on the back cover. With the1999 Fall and 1999/2000 Winter issues, The Owl masthead increases to the full width of the publication. On the1999 Fall masthead, Athena's owl is larger, and back cover has a seal of "Providence Athenaeum, 1753" with Athena's image in profile. A square woodcut of an owl first appears on the back cover of the 2000 January issue, and moves to the masthead in subsequent issues. The 2000 Summer issue has a graphic of Poe and his raven on the back cover. Starting with the 2000 Fall issue and ending with the final issue (2002 Spring), the masthead is comprised of the square owl woodcut, title, subtitle, and date within a rectangular box.

Series 2. The Universal Penman, published from 2002 to present, is comprised of 33 issues as of Spring 2019. According to Executive Director Jonathan Bengtson, the Universal Penman was one of the first books ordered for the Providence Library Company in 1753, one of the few books to survive the 1758 fire since it was checked out at the time, and is the inspiration for the name of this newsletter. Robin Wetherill (Communications Manager) is credited as Editor of the Penman beginning with the 2016 Spring issue and continuing to the present.

Content: Issues of the Universal Penman continue with the same types of content found in the previous Athenaeum newsletter entitled The Owl.

Frequency: Varies from 1-7 issues per year, averaging 3 per year. From 2016-2018 the subtitle was "A Semiannual Publication of the Providence Athenaeum"; in Spring 2019 this changed to "An Occasional Publication of the Providence Athenaeum".

Numbering/Dating: Issues are dated but unnumberred. The first issue (May/June 2002) is erroneously dated "May/June 2003".

Number of pages: Varies from 4-16 pages, with the longer issues beginning in 2016 when the page size decreased.

Title: From May 2002 through December 2007 the title is "The Universal Penman". From January 2008 onward, the title changes to "Universal Penman".

Masthead subtitle: From 2002-2015, the subtitle is "Newsletter of the Providence Athenaeum". From Spring 2016 through Spring 2018, the subtitle changes to "A Semiannual Publication of the Providence Athenaeum", and with the Spring 2019 issue, the subtitled again changes to "An Occasional Publication of the Providence Athenaeum".

Format changes:
  • March/April 2003 through Spring 2015 issues are 28 cm. high, on medium stock white paper, black ink, and have small images; color photographs first appear in the Fall 2005 issue, and larger images become more frequent.
  • In 2015 the Athenaeum conducted a rebranding; all Athenaeum materials were changed, including the Athena logo and the Universal Penman design.
  • Spring 2016 through Spring 2019 issues: The height decreases to 25.6 cm., heavy stock paper covers are added; the title page includes a table of contents. The number of pages varies from 12-18 pages, double that of pre-2016 issues. The Spring 2017 issue is the earliest featuring staff silhouette portraits at the top of articles they author

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Organizations Subject Topics Subject Topics Document Types

Arrangement

Arranged in two series and chronologically thereunder:

  • Series 1. The Owl, 1995-2002
  • Series 2. The Universal Penman, 2002-present

Historical Note

The Providence Athenæum (1836- ) is an independent, member-supported library and cultural center located in Providence, Rhode Island.

Founded originally as "The Athenæum" in 1836, its progenitors were two earlier libraries: The Providence Library Company, founded in 1753, and the Providence Athenaeum, founded in 1831. When they could not agree on terms for a merger, both organizations dissolved and a new library was formed, which purchased a selection of books and periodicals from the two earlier institutions. Housed originally in the Arcade on Weybosset Street in downtown Providence, the Athenæum moved to its new building at 251 Benefit Street in July, 1838. In 1850, “The Athenæum” was renamed “The Providence Athenæum" by amendment to its charter.

Providence Athenaeum bulletins and newsletters: Bulletins were published by the Athenaeum from 1895 until Summer 1995, initially containing primarily a list of new acquisitions, officers, and hours. Over the years the Bulletins evolved to include narrative articles and announcements of upcoming events. From September 1995 to the present, the Providence Athenaeum has published newsletters entitled The Owl (1995-2002) and The Universal Penman (2002-present). With the advent of the Providence Athenaeum website, continuous news and updates are available on various webpages such as "About", "Happenings", "Calendar", and "Catalog"; additional news is sent to members through social media and e-mail (for example "View from the Mezzanine", a weekly newsletter from the Director).

Sources, viewed online October 24, 2019:

Access & Use

Access to the collection: Open to public research. Materials are available by prior appointment that requires 24-hour advance notice.
Use of the materials: It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Researchers seeking to publish materials should complete an Application to Publish Library Materials available through written request to info@provath.org
Preferred citation: Providence Athenaeum newsletters, Arch-007, Providence Athenaeum.
Contact information: Providence Athenaeum
251 Benefit Street
Providence, RI, 02903
telephone: 401-421-6970
email: info@provath.org
website: www.provath.org

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Accruals: Additional materials are expected annually for this collection.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid written by Sarah Shaw, September 2019.
Encoding: Encoded using Oxygen XML Editor 2019-09-17
Descriptive rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material: Related collections held by the Providence Athenaeum: Images and descriptions of art held by the Providence Athenaeum, and the Athena Lemnia, Bannister, Malbone, and Sauvage works featured in these newsletter articles, may be viewed online at: The Providence Athenaeum Digital Art Collection.

Inventory

Series 1. The Owl, a Providence Athenaeum Newsletter, 1995-2002

Container Description Date
Isham Shelf 5, Box 1 The Owl
22 issues

Contents Note: Issues in Box 1 are:
  • 1995 September (Vol. 1, No. 1). 4 pages. Paul DiFilippo's "Steampunk : an evening of science fiction".
  • 1995 December (Vol. 1, No. 2). 6 pages. Book sale, George MacLean's art show "Hidden Hero".
  • 1996 October. 8 pages. New Executive Director, Gary Mason. Staff photographs and interviews: Gary Mason, Juliet Saunders, Betsy Carpenter, Clare MacLean, Anne Sunshine, Mary Greene, Beth Homans, Tina Egnoski, Manuel Pombo, .
  • 1997 January. 6 pages. Fall programs report, upcoming events, staff photos and interviews: Susan Newkirk, Sarah Reichley,
  • 1997 April. 8 pages. "An evening of Italian Culture" fundraiser, Spring programs, staff photos and interviews: Dolly Borts, Stella Cunningham.
  • 1997 Summer. 4 pages. "An evening of Italian Culture" fundraiser final notes (profits, event committee, donations, silent auction, sponsors); staff profile: Ange Mlinko.
  • 1998 Winter. 6 pages. Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Athenaeum, and talk at RISD (March 1998); Champlin Foundations grant for electronic database; staff profiles: Kate Wodehouse, Oceana Wilson.
  • 1998 Spring. 6 pages. New hours, upcoming events (Carnevale di Venezia April 25, Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. as honorary Doge, Italian Film Festival "Set in Venice", organized in conjunction with Brown University (and the Rhocde Island School of Design.
  • 1998 Summer. 12 pages. Athenaeum's Trip to Venice; Providence Preservation Society's house tour including the Athenaeum; News from the Children's Room.
  • 1999 Spring. 16 pages. Newsletter (8 pages) and 1998 Annual Report (8 pages) insert on blue paper. "Festa Fiorentina" with Duke Belaire Quartet.
  • 1999 Fall. 6 pages. Bastille Day French songs program; Book Discussion Group's 1999-2000 reading list; "From the Director's Office, a personal vision statement from Gary Mason".
  • 1999/2000 Winter. 6 pages. "Firenze on our minds: a report on the Athenaeum-sponsored trip to Florence; group photograph of staff on back cover.
  • 2000 January. 4 pages. "Special Millennium Issue". Mission statement, Master plan, CRIARL membership, Personnel Roster, "A statistical look at the Athenaeum".
  • 2000 Spring. 8 pages of Newsletter, with 4-page "Minutes of the 1998 [sic 1999] Annual Membership Meeting" insert on blue paper. March-April calendar of programs focusing on Paris, culminating in "April in Paris" event; May Ciné Club movies set in Paris; book fund graphics.
  • 2000 Summer. 8 pages. April in Paris fundraising event, "Plugged in : the Ath Online", Master Plan update, graphic of Poe and the raven on back cover.
  • 2000 Fall. 8 pages. Messages from Board President Judith Beckman (with a brief history of the Athenaeum) and Director Gary Mason; Joan Richard reading from her book "Angles of Reflection"; Jane Lancaster's talk "Reading Rhode Island Girls' Lives in 1799"; profile and photo of returning staff member Lindsay Shaw, Children's Services Librarian; Athenaeum Quiz.
  • 2000 Winter. 8 pages of Newsletter including the 1999 Annual Report, plus "Unaudited financial statements ... December 31, 1999" CPA summary, 6-page insert on blue paper. "1999 Annual Report Issue" (photocopy only).
  • 2001 Spring. 6 pages. Upcoming programs "Que Viva Espana!" foccusing on Spanish culture. Lists of Board of Directors and 2001 Staff Roster (Tina Egnoski listed as "The Owl" editor). Staff updates: Stella Cunningham's retirement; Rilla Byleckie, new Administrative Assistant.
  • 2001 Summer. 6 pages. Upcoming event: Athenaeum-sponsored trip to Spain in November 2001. Staff changes: Gary Mason's resignation as Library Director; Catherine Poirier, Interim Director.
  • 2001 Fall. 6 pages. Upcoming programs, Poetry readings, Notes from the Owlet's Nest, Parking lot improvements, Library to host workshops (2001 National Preservation Conference), Staff update: Judy Blake, Development Director.
  • 2001 Winter. 4 pages. Judith Beckman (Board President) announces Jonathan Bengtson as new Executive Director beginning December 6.
  • 2002 Spring. 4 pages. Annual fundraising event "Roman Holiday" April 27, 2002; Providence Athenaeum's 250th anniversary planning for 2003.


 1995-2002

Series 2. The Universal Penman : newsletter of the Providence Athenaeum, 2002-present

Container Description Date
Isham Shelf 5, Box 1 The Universal Penman
4 issues.

Contents Note: Issues in Box 1 are:
  • 2003 [sic 2002] May/June. 4 pages. "The Universal Penman will be published six times a year starting with this issue."
  • 2002 July/August. 4 pages. Stephen Hopkins Philanthropic Award given to W. Chesley ("Chet") Worthington; Celebrazione! Roman Holiday fundraiser; Philbrick Poetry Award presented to Laura Cherry.
  • 2002 September/October. 4 pages. Benefit Street programs; Upcoming Programs; Book Sale Reminder; planning for the Athenaeum's 250th Anniversary in 2003.
  • 2002 November/December. 8 pages. Newsletter (4 pages): Membership fees (A message from the director); Program calendar and descriptions; Excerpt from Jane Lancaster's Inquire within; Children's Library; Annual appeal; Building update; New members. The Providencce Athenaeum's 2001 annual report subtitled "On the cusp of a quarter millennium" (4 pages) stapled in, printed on blue paper.


 2002 May/June - 2002 November/December
Isham Shelf 5, Box 2 The Universal Penman
33 issues.

Contents Note: Issues in Box 2 are:
  • 2003 January/February. 4 pages. Burns Collection article; 250th Anniversary planning; Athenaeum members' trip to Christie's in New York City; In the Children's Library.
  • 2003 March/April. 4 pages. Niederviller bisque of Benjamin Franklin and King Louis XVI; Jane Lancaster's "Inquire within" history of the Athenaeum to be published; 250th Anniversary Gala April 27; Note from Susan Kertzer (Board President) about the Annual Meeting and sale of the library's Audubon folio.
  • 2003 May/June. 4 pages. Philbrick Poetry Award presented to Linda Voris; Treasure of the Athenaeum being loaned to "Rhode Island Treasures" exhibit (two Edward Bannister watercolors. and "The hours" by Edward Green Malbone); Planning for Athenaeum trip to England in November; ; From the Children's Library.
  • 2003 July/August. 4 pages. Children's Library renovations; Risa Gilpin Day (with photograph); Apicius Gastronomic Club; 250th Anniversary Gala wrap up.
  • 2003 September/October. 8 pages. Newsletter (4 pages): Vartan Gregorian's autobiography The road to home; Flavius Josephus's de antiquitate Judeaeorum; de bello Judaico. The Providence Athenaeum's 2002 annual report (4 pages) stapled in.
  • 2003 November/December. 4 pages. Johannes Gutenberg's Catholicon; Audubon folio sale rescheduled for next year; Apicius Gastonomic Club "Foods of the Renaissance Gourmet Dinner"; Kathleen Hughes (Dear Mrs. Lindbergh) reading and book signing.
  • 2004 January/March. 4 pages. Oskar Eustis' article on the value of the Providence Athenaeum; Two Preservation Grants received (RIHPHC and RICH); Trip to Tuscany and Umbria planned for Spring 2004.
  • 2004 April/May. 4 pages. Richard Olsen, Interim Executive Director (with photograph); Philbrick Poetry Award presented to Justin Lacour by John Ashbery.
  • 2004 Autumn. 8 pages. Newsletter (4 pages): Message from Board President Betty Rawls Lang and Interim Director Richard A. Olsen regarding the sale of the Audubon folio and lawsuit; Adam Braver Divine Sarah with Anne Scurria. The Providence Athenaeum's 2003 annual report (4 pages) stapled in.
  • 2005 Spring. 4 pages. New Executive Director Alison Davis Maxell; Sue Allen's "The brilliance of cloth book covers : 19th century decorated bindings"; Philbrick Poetry Award to Lynn Tudor Deming by Robert Pinsky;
  • 2005 Fall. 8 pages. Open house in September, with Big Nazo puppets; Staff portraits (Kate Wodehouse, Trisha Watson, Trisha Kometer).
  • 2005 Winter. 4 pages. Six grants awarded to aid in the restoration of the Athenaeum building; Timothy S. Philbrick talk "The design and construction of an art case piano"; Albertus Seba's Thesaurus and the Cabinet of Natural Curiosities.
  • 2006 Fall. 8 pages. Messages from Alayne Barnicoat (President, Board of Directors) and Alison Maxell (Executive Director); "Alice's Adventure in Wonderland" annual event held at Roger Williams Park Casino; "Notes from the owls' nest" (Children's Library); Fleet Library opens at RISD; Philbrick Poetry Award to James Connolly by Martin Espada.
  • 2007 Spring. 8 pages (unnumbered). Annual Gala planned again at the Casino, with an auction; Library outreach (circulation delivery service to members living at Laurelmead; Legacy gifts; Notes from the Owl's Nest; Martin Van Buren birthday party event.
  • 2007 September/October. 4 pages. Annual open house September 29 with Big Nazo puppets; The Owlet, News from the Children's Library (with image of an owl reading a book); Philbrick Poetry Award to Leslie McGrath by D.H. Melhem.
  • 2007 November/December. 4 pages. "Wines from Cocktails to Desserts" fund-raising event; The Owlet news; New RISD/Athenaeum online catalog interface launch;
  • 2008 January/February. 4 pages. "A wee dram of Scotland : a birthday tribute to Robert Burns"; The Owlet news.
  • 2008 April. 4 pages. "A Cabinet of Curiosities" Annual Gala at the Casino; The Owlet news; Philbrick Poetry Award to John Brush by Forrest Gander; Community scan of the Athenaeum's impact by Public Humanities program grad students at Brown University.
  • 2008 May. 4 pages. Stephen Hopkins Philanthropic Award recipients (Richard and Sheila Congdon); Count down to the Annual Gala on April 26th; The Owlet news; Christina Bevilacqua's new role as Director of Member Services.
  • 2008 June. 4 pages. Tenth annual Philbrick Poetry Award to John Brush by Forrest Gander; 170th anniversary of the Athenaeum; The Owlet news.
  • 2008 September/October. 4 pages. The Salon "The once and future library" (the role of the library past, present, and future); The Owlet new; new bust of Athena; new staff (Mary Anne Golda; Jason Bloom).
  • 2008 November/December. 4 pages. Proustfest salon "Proust and his publishers"; The Owlet news; Kate Wodehouse on Steering Committee of "Protecting the past--Rhode Island" (to develop a disaster response plan).
  • 2009 January/February. 4 pages. "Sex, lies, and Edgar Allan Poe" fundraiser; The Owlet new; "Policy and Pinot" (WRNI discussion series); "From the Reference Desk" (Carol Tatian);
  • 2009 March. 4 pages. Message from the Executive Director (charts on revenue, decline of endowment, and 2008-2009 expense budget); The Owlet news.
  • 2009 April. 4 pages. Annual gala "The Once and Future Library" May 2 at the Rhode Island State House (Stephen Hopkins Philanthropic Award to The Champlin Foundations); Caroline Schimmel and the Margaret B. Stillwell Book Collection Awards; first meeting of the Rhode Island Biography Group; Philbrick Poetry award to Jennifer Whitten by poet judge Marilyn Nelson.
  • 2009 May. 2 pages. "Final quarter, and we need you!" message from the executive director Alison Maxell focusing on "the perilous economic downturn that had begun in October" (Great Recession), with a 2008/2009 fundraising status update, and Board of Directors matching donations challenge to membership.
  • 2009 June. 4 pages. "Where we are now" (message from Alison Maxell and Christina Bevilacqua on the fiscal year budgeting; Isham addition newly refurbished Special Collections area; The Owlet news; Annual Gala report.
  • 2009 Autumn. 4 pages. Messages from the Executive Director (Alison Maxewell) and new Board President (Deming Sherman); The Owlet news; RI Foundation grant for 5-year strategic planning; Proust reading group starts November.
  • 2009/2010 Winter. 4 pages. "GALApagos : a celebration of exploration" 2010 fundraising gala; "An importuning, in verse" (poem about the Athenaeum); The Owlet news.
  • 2010 March/April/May. 4 pages. Dorothy ("Dottie") W. Zillmer bequest; Athenaeum's Children's Library fundraiser; Philbrick Poetry Project Honoree awarded to Kathleen M. Kelley by poet judge Marge Piercy; The Owlet news.
  • 2010 June. 6 pages. "Not About the Buildings (NATB), Micro-Memoir!" event; Athenaeum's Facebook page; "GALApagos" annual fundraiser held at The Athenaeum; Stephen Hopkins Award honoree Sylvia Moubayed, former Athenaeum director.
  • 2010 September/October/November. 4 pages. "Vision 2015" strategic plan; "Colossal Coliseum" (5-foot wide panoramic photograph) centerpiece of exhibit "The RI Art Association & the Ecology of Culture in Pre-Civil War RI"; two Proust events; Nino D.B. Scotti Collection; The Owlet news.


 2003 January/February - 2010 September/October/November
Isham Shelf 5, Box 3 The Universal Penman
16 issues.

Contents Note: Issues in Box 3 are:
  • 2011 April. 6 pages. Philbrick Poetry Project Honoree awarded to Ellen LaFlecke by poet/critic Dana Gioia; The Owlet news; Final Quarter Challenge!; "Hark! The White Whale!" (Moby-Dick) gala celebration; Artists and excavators (Artists in the Archive).
  • 2011 June. 4 pages. Salute to Francis Wayland, 19th century educator, reformer, and Brown University President; The Owlet news, with color photographs.
  • 2011 September. 6 pages. Message from Executive Director Alison Maxell; Danielle Kemsley, new Director of Member Services and Development; News from Special Collections (Kate Wodehouse's exhibit on Moby Dick illustrated); The Owlet news with photographs.
  • 2011-2012 Winter. 6 pages. "Wilde at Heart" (gala celebration of ... Oscar Wilde); E-books at the Athenaeum; "The Haven" poem by C.B. about the Athenaeum (with apologies to Edgar Allan Poe); The Owlet news.
  • 2012 [Spring]. 6 pages. "Americans abroad : nineteenth century travelers in Italy" exhibit curated by Kate Wodehouse; 2:1 matching gift challenge; "Wilde at Heart" gala report and photos; From the Reference Desk (Carol Tatian on Civil War holdings); The Owlet news.
  • 2012 June. 4 pages. "Micro-Memoirists" from Central Falls High School; Philbrick Peotry Project Honoree awarded to Lucile Burt by poet judge Lisa Starr; Mary Brower illustration of the Athenaeum's Circulation Desk; The Owlet news.
  • 2012 September. 6 pages. Message from Alison Maxell, with staff photograph; Fall exhibits ("RI Broadsides Rule" curated by Jordan Goffin (Special Collections Librarian, Providence Public Library) and "History of the Providence Athenaeum ... 1753-1836" curated by Kate Wodehouse); The Owlet news ("Mayor Angel Taveras stopped by for Story Hour").
  • 2013 Winter/Spring. 6 pages. "Collections, conversations, and collaborations" (Kate Wodehouse, Christina Bevilacqua); Calling all canines! ("we welcome dogs on leashes"); "NaNoWriMo at the Athenaeum!" (National Novel Writing Month).
  • 2013 Summer. 6 pages. Message from Candy Adriance, incoming Board President; "Bright, beautiful, bilingual broadsindes" (Broadsides Project); Philbrick Poetry Project Honoree awarded to David O'Connell by poet Dennis Barone); "The Shadow over College Street" (joint Lovecraft exhibit with the John Hay Library).
  • 2013 Fall/Winter. 6 pages. "H.P. Lovecraft, home at last!" (unveiling of sculptor Bryan Moore's bronze bust of Lovecraft); "The Fantastic Forest ... Old Juveniles Collection" exhibit curated by Kate Wodehouse; "New faces" (Amanda Knox, Kathleen Bower, Morgan Ross, Stgephanie Knott);
  • 2014 Winter/Early Spring. 6 pages. "What use is the giraffe?" and "Zarafa: spectacle of the Giraffe, 1826-1839" exhibits; Moving the Egyptian Cabinet (with color photograph).
  • 2014 Summer. 6 pages. "Philbrick Poetry Celebration ... [of the] lives and legacy of Charles and Deborah Philbrick"; "Magic lantern show ... The Arctic Theatre Royal" exhibit;
  • 2014 Autumn/Early Winter. 6 pages. "Mine! Rhode Island Collectors at the ATH", curated by Kate Wodehouse; New board members (R. Tripp Evans, Kas DeCarvalho, Holly Gaboriault, Mark Gim, Cathy Lund); Staff transitions (Alison Maxell, Mary Anne Golda, Smokey Turnbull, Leslie Myers, Tina Egnoski, Robin Wetherill, Amanda Knox).
  • 2015 Spring. 6 pages. "Major grant funding from the RI Council for the Humanities for 2015-16 programming"; "... Celebrate Betsy Carpenter's life".
  • 2016 Spring. 16 pages. "John Russell Bartlett" article by Kate Wodehouse; portrait of John Russell Bartlett and photograph of the Egyptian Cabinet; Matt Burriesci (Executive Director) article on the Demosthenes bust; "A journey to reading" article by Lindsay Shaw.
  • 2016 Fall. 18 pages. "All hail, Athena Lemnia!" article by R. Tripp Evans (President, Board of Directors) about the 7-foot statue of Athena on long-term loan from Wheaton College; photograph of the Athena statue.


 2011 April - 2016 Fall
Isham Shelf 5, Box 4 The Universal Penman
4 issues.

Contents Note: Issues in Box 4 are:
  • 2017 Spring. 16 pages. "The People's Poet" article by Holly Gaboriault on Tina Cane, Rhode Island's Poet Laureate; "Botanical treasures ... flower prints" by Kate Wodehouse; Robert Burns Night celebration.
  • 2017 Fall. 12 pages. "A Fortunate Year" by Matt Burriesci; "A Home Library" by Lindsay Shaw; "That Intangible Something" by Robin Wetherill.
  • 2018 Spring. 12 pages. "Intellectual Thirst" by Matt Burriesci on the Athenaeum fountain; "Well-behaved Women?" by Jane Lancaster on women of the Providence Athenaeum; "Come Hither" by Kate Wodehouse on the Athenaeum fountain; staff updates (Stephanie Ovoian, Conrad Fyfe).
  • 2019 Spring. 12 pages. "A Rare Gift" by Kate Wodehouse on rare books at the Athenaeum; "A conversation with Susan Jaffe Tane ... private collector of all things Edgar Allan Poe"; "Ravenous: the Enduring Legacy of Poe Exhibition"; "Providence Unveiled" exhibit; Staff updates (Jenny Young, Juli Anna Herndon).


 2017-2019