The Bentley Rare Book Gallery is a rare book library housed on the lower level of the
Horace W. Sturgis Library at
Kennesaw State University in
Kennesaw, Georgia,
United States. It is one of only three certified, museum-grade rare book libraries in Georgia, the others located at the
University of Georgia in Athens and
Emory University in Atlanta. Named after Mr. Fred D. Bentley, Sr, one of its principal benefactors, and his wife Sarah Bentley, the library contains a diverse collection of works documenting the history of the written and printed word in English.
History
The rare book room was a result of a collaboration between Library Director, Robert Williams, College President,
Dr. Betty Siegel, and Fred Bentley.
Design
The gallery is designed to resemble a "domestic library in a middle-class household during the reign of
King George III (1760-1820)." Other cited sources for the design were
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English writer known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving around fictiona ...
's description of her ideal home in her autobiography, the Edwardian imagery of
E. M. Forster, and
Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton (; born Edith Newbold Jones; January 24, 1862 – August 11, 1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and interior designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray ...
's "The Decoration of Houses."
The space, on the ground floor of the Sturgis Library, was dramatically transformed into an immersive environment in which patrons can interact with and appreciate the collection. The room’s woodwork was entirely hand crafted to evoke an authentic atmosphere. Behind these beautiful surroundings, modern technology and systems were utilized to make the space secure and environmentally controlled. The Gallery was completed with period pieces that highlight the rich cultural and social history of objects and complement their setting.
Notable volumes and literary items
*Franciscan
breviary
A breviary (Latin: ''breviarium'') is a liturgical book used in Christianity for praying the canonical hours, usually recited at seven fixed prayer times.
Historically, different breviaries were used in the various parts of Christendom, such a ...
from northern
Italy (1450)
*A leaf from the ''
Golden Legend'' (c. 1470)
*A leaf from ''Tractatus et Sermones'' (1490)
*A leaf from ''Recollections on the History of'' ''
England'' (c. 1470)
*''Voi chascoltate inrime sparse'' (1472)
*''
The Divine Comedy'' (1502)
*The Complete Works of
Chaucer (1542)
*''Aesopi Phrygii Fabulae Graece Latine Conversae'' (1544)
*''Newe Testament of Our Lord Iesus Christ''
ic(1583)
*
Fourth Folio of William Shakespeare (1685)
*''
Paradise Regained'' (1758)
*''
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'' (1886)
*''
Trilby'' (1895)
*''
Tristram Shandy'' (complete nine volumes)
*''
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (first edition)
*''
Up From Slavery'' (original copy - signed by
Booker T. Washington)
Department of Museums, Archives & Rare Books
The Bentley Rare Book Gallery is part of Kennesaw State University's Department of Museums, Archives & Rare Books. In addition to the rare book collection, the department is responsible for the University Archives and Special Collections, Records Management, Art Museum and Galleries, and the Museum of History and Holocaust Education.
External links
Kennesaw State Official WebsiteBentley Rare Book Gallery Website
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Libraries in Georgia (U.S. state)
Kennesaw State University
Tourist attractions in Cobb County, Georgia
Rare book libraries in the United States
Special collections libraries in the United States