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Sheep shearing at Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale, Pennsylvania
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| I wonder how they see through this dense coat! |
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| I couldn't get a good angle to shoot a photo of the shearing process... |
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| ... but here the shearer shows the mass of wool from one yearling sheep. |
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| This fellow was on hand to help with the process as needed. |
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| The sheep looks a lot cooler with that winter coat removed! |
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| A pair of oxen also live on the farm. |
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| Here an ox cozies up to a cow. |
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| And of course we can't have a farm without a rooster and his hens! |
Last stop at the library...
One final stop at the Parkway Central Library which we found nestled behind locked doors, kindly opened by our guide. I have searched online for more information to share with you, but cannot find anything - it's apparently a fairly well-kept secret. But our tour guide told us that a wealthy Philadelphian left his library - containing a glorious rare book collection - to the "Free Library" in Philadelphia, which eagerly anticipated this fine bequest. But they were told that Mr. Elkins wanted his library - the entire structure - given to the library.
As it happened, an architect named Moshe Safdie had built Mr. Elkins' library and had recently renovated the stacks in the center of the Parkway library to create more flexible spaces for learning and working. He undertook the challenge of moving Elkins' library - walls, floor, shelves, carpet, furniture, and fixtures - to the second floor of Parkway Central Library adjacent to the Rare Book Collection. So we have a library within the library, which includes a fine collection of first editions of Charles Dickens and hundreds of other fine rare books. In one corner is Charles Dickens' desk, and in the veneer of the desk are the initials "CD", which the author himself allegedly scratched there himself.
Here are some photos of the "library within the library". We were grateful to have the opportunity to see it.
As it happened, an architect named Moshe Safdie had built Mr. Elkins' library and had recently renovated the stacks in the center of the Parkway library to create more flexible spaces for learning and working. He undertook the challenge of moving Elkins' library - walls, floor, shelves, carpet, furniture, and fixtures - to the second floor of Parkway Central Library adjacent to the Rare Book Collection. So we have a library within the library, which includes a fine collection of first editions of Charles Dickens and hundreds of other fine rare books. In one corner is Charles Dickens' desk, and in the veneer of the desk are the initials "CD", which the author himself allegedly scratched there himself.
Here are some photos of the "library within the library". We were grateful to have the opportunity to see it.
The rare book collection
My apologies for the confusion - the linky didn't work earlier!
Last week I shared some photos and information about the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. While we were there, we had a tour of their rare book collection, which is quite impressive. Here are some photos from our tour.
Last week I shared some photos and information about the Parkway Central Library in Philadelphia. While we were there, we had a tour of their rare book collection, which is quite impressive. Here are some photos from our tour.
A trip to the library
One thing I take for granted is the public library system, but it wasn't always so. "Back in the day", library membership cost money. The "Free Library" in Philadelphia (now known as Parkway Central Library) was an innovation, allowing people to come and browse, read, and check out books at no cost. It opened in 1927, and it is an impressive building indeed, designed by Julian Abele, a prominent black architect who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Among his notable works is the chapel at Duke University in Durham NC, another architectural marvel.
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| The intricate detail is of the ceilings are different in each of the many different sections of the library. |
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| The marble floors and walls are a thing of beauty. |
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| There is magnificent art work throughout, giving the library "museum quality". |
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| During World War II, the port of Philadelphia was felt to be at risk for enemy bombs, so the beautiful skylights were painted over to prevent light from making the library an easy target. |
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| The paint used to paint the skylight was full of toxic material such as lead, so the cost of restoring them is phenomenal. |
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| Someone in the library ensured that the home team received a place of honor! Go Phillies! |
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| In the section devoted to music, it is possible for patrons to check out musical instruments such as a cello or violin. Other branches of the library have sections for checking out unusual items. Have a friend who's a fan of Micky Mouse and you want to bake a Micky Mouse cake for his birthday? You can check out a cake pan that will allow you to do so without cluttering up your kitchen for years with a pan you'll only use once! |
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