Chetham's Library

22/11/2024

Looking for weekend plans? At Chetham's Library, we run tours every Saturday with multiple timings throughout the day, giving you the perfect opportunity to add some history and discovery into your weekend 📚
Come in from the cold and explore our cosy Library ❤️ Book a tour here: https://shorturl.at/NZaB1

21/11/2024

Who's excited for our Letter Locking workshop tomorrow? ✉️🕯️
Join us to discover historical ways of keeping secrets and how to fold your own intricate locking letters 🔒🤫
📍22 Nov 2-4pm
🔗Book here:

Prior to the invention of the envelope, the senders of letters would intricately fold and ‘lock’ them, to prevent their contents from being read by pry...

21/11/2024

This rare three-faced seal matrix is now on display at Chetham's Library, thanks to the Friends of the Nation’s Libraries. ✨

🔍 So, what makes it special?
1️⃣ The Chetham coat of arms on one side ties it directly to Humphrey Chetham and his legacy.
2️⃣ Our iconic griffin crest—the same one we still use today!
3️⃣ And an unidentified classical head in profile that remains a mystery... for now! 🕵️‍♀️

Come see this piece of history up close, and let it transport you to a time of hidden messages and secret symbols! 🏛️ Book a tour of our new Codebreakers collection here: https://shorturl.at/KpCnO

20/11/2024

This fascinating blog post reveals how you can keep your secrets away from prying eyes 👀

Inspired by our latest Codebreakers collection, we discuss our new acquisition, a three-sided matrix seal with a mysterious association with Chetham's 🔎
We also discover the intricate art of letter locking ahead of our upcoming workshop on 22 Nov 🕯️✉️

📍 Read here: https://shorturl.at/2mo6

19/11/2024

🔔 New Blog Post Alert 🔔

'A total gamechanger – looking back 30 years'
Recieving funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1996 was a complete gamechanger for our Library. As we celebrate 30 years of the National Lottery today, we reflect on this pivotal project that has ensured our Library’s legacy endures.

🔗 Read about the project in our latest Blog post here: library.chethams.com/category/blog/

19/11/2024

19/11/2024

Celebrating 30 years of The National Lottery! 🎂 In 1996, our Library was grateful to receive funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund that has allowed us to digitise our collection, refurbish areas, and keep our Library open today. Thank you to National Lottery players for making this possible!

15/11/2024

Did you know that you can read all sorts of fascinating information about our Library on our blog? 📖✨

Hear about upcoming exhibitions and discover intriguing stories about our collection 🔎

Read our blog here: library.chethams.com/category/blog

13/11/2024

🔔 New Blog Post Alert 🔔

From messages hidden in eggs to daring missions across Europe, dive into the clandestine world of Aphra Behn—playwright, poet, and one of the first English women to earn a living by her pen. But before her fame, she was Agent 160, working in a web of espionage and deception for King Charles II. Discover how women spies used their “invisibility” to gather intel in the midst of political unrest. ✉️✨

Head to our latest blog to read about the ingenious tricks, coded letters, and unbreakable wit of these unsung heroines of history
🔗 Read here:

Following on from our last blog, here is an example of spycraft from the 17th century. To put a Schedule, or lytle wryting into an Egge, lay an Egge ce...

13/11/2024

Discover the art of letter locking, a creative way to keep your messages secret ✉️🔎 Prior to the invention of the envelope, people could create intricate folding systems to lock their messages away, with only the recipient knowing how to open the mechanism without destroying the letter 😮

Join us on 22 November to try your hand at writing and folding your own locking letters at our Letter Locking Workshop 🔒🗝️

You can also find out more about letter locking and other ways of keeping secrets by visiting our new Codebreakers collection, or reading our latest blog post 📍

📆 Fri 22 November, 2-6pm
🔗 Book here: https://shorturl.at/IjPvZ

12/11/2024

Have you been on a tour of our medieval Library yet? ✨

Packed with historical facts and fascinating stories, tours of Chetham’s Library are led by our expert staff and volunteers 📚🕯️

📍We run tours Monday to Saturday with multiple timings throughout the day
🔗 Visit our Library today: https://shorturl.at/YnP1r

12/08/2024

For further details and to book tickets, please see our website at https://library.chethams.com/whats-on/

06/02/2024

Check out our latest blog online!

Making Their Mark: The Women of the Book Trade.

Emma Nelson closes our Women's Write theme with a look into Chetham's earliest books produced and sold by women.
https://buff.ly/3SMAW0W

26/01/2024

Check out our latest blog online!
Morbid Curiosities: Gothic stories in the Library.

Volunteer Emma Nelson shares some of Chetham's earliest gothic stories in our collection.
https://buff.ly/4b83cCz

23/01/2024

Folded paper puzzle-purses were once used as a way of exchanging loving messages between friends and romantic interests. ❤️ ✉️

Join Emma on Feb 13th and learn how to make your own Recency Valentines puzzle!

Tuesday 13th February
14:00-16:00

See online for details.
https://buff.ly/4bbkz5x