Monday Mornings is a free program series for adults that runs weekly in the spring and fall months at the main library. Programs take place from 9:30-10:30 AM. Questions? Contact Ona Ridenour.
November 25: Great American Street Organ: A Journey Through the History of the Hand-Cranked Street Organ and America with Tony Gangi
Join Tony Gangi of Great American Street Organ for a presentation on the history of this unique instrument. Utilizing two street organs (a 21-note and a 37-note), Tony will entertain while we learn about the instrument’s immigrant roots, hear music, some holiday tunes, play games of name-that-tune, and even have a sing-along! In addition to being a street organ enthusiast, Tony Gangi is a magician and author of Carny Sideshows: Weird Wonders of the Midway.
December 2: Who Was Miss Elizabeth Putnam Sohier and Why is There a Room Named for Her in the Library? with Karen Traub
Elizabeth Putnam Sohier (1847-1926) could have spent her days sipping tea with other members of the Mayflower Society but instead used her wealth and social position to petition the Massachusetts legislature to establish the nation’s first library commission. She was determined that every town and city should have a public library and accomplished that goal in just 14 years. She served as the commission’s secretary for 36 years as well as on the Beverly library board of trustees. Come learn about this extraordinary woman known for her gentle demeanor, passion for libraries, and her hat. Karen Traub is the current secretary for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Sign up for the Monday Mornings email list. Thanks to the Friends of the Beverly Public Library for sponsoring this series!
Did you miss a program? Many past events have been posted to our YouTube channel.