John M. Shaw event
Childhood in Poetry books by John MacKay Shaw
On Thursday, March 17, Florida State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives hosted an event highlighting the John M. Shaw Childhood in Poetry Collection. On display were works by Robert Burns, Dr. Seuss, Lewis Carroll, A.A. Milne, and many others.
Over 40 people were in attendance at the event, with appetizers provided by A La Provence. Speakers for the event included Julia Zimmerman, Dean of the FSU Libraries; Fred Standley, Professor Emeritus of FSU’s Department of English; Cathmar Prange, daughter of John M. Shaw; and James Birchfield, Curator of Rare Books at University of Kentucky Libraries.
Prior to Dr. Birchfield’s remarks, Doris Henderson, President of the St. Andrew Society of Tallahassee, presented a gift of $2,000 to benefit the Shaw Collection. John M. Shaw served as the first president of Tallahassee’s St. Andrew Society, and the Society has been a long-time supporter of the Shaw Collection.
Following his remarks, Dr. Birchfield presented to Special Collections an original handwritten poem by John Henry Eaton, Territorial Governor of Florida. This 1834 manuscript is comprised of six lines of verse composed for a young lady’s album. It will become part of the Shaw Childhood in Poetry Collection.
Available below is a selection of photos from the event. The collection will continue to be featured in the Special Collections Exhibit Room on the first floor of Strozier Library until April 15.
 Maurice Sendack Collection |
 Various Children’s Titles |
 The Pied Piper of Hamelin Collection |
 Zilpha Underwood, Liz Johnson, and Sammie Morris of University Libraries |
 Doris Henderson, of the St. Andrew’s Society, examines some of the exhibit |
 Some of the event crowd mingles |
 Group preparing to enter the Special Collections Exhibit Room |
 The guest book |
 Doris Henderson speaks to the group |
 The group listens to one of the speakers at the Shaw event |
 Cathmar Prange, daughter of John Shaw, prepares to speak to the group |
 Cathmar Prange speaks at the exhibit |
 James Birchfield, Curator of Rare Books at University of Kentucky Libraries, speaks to the group |
 The crowd listens attentively to James Birchfield’s speech |
 The four speakers: Fred Standley, James Birchfield, Cathmar Prange, and Julia Zimmerman |
 A guest views part of the collection |
 Gina Woodward, Mafe Brooks, and Sammie Morris pose with the exhibit sign |
 Julia Zimmerman and Sammie Morris pose before the exhibit |
 The crowd mingles around the appetizers table |
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