The retired, former Abbey librarian, Robin Scanlan, wife of alumnus Joe, class of 1946, has now been faithfully working part-time to complete the cataloging of the donated CDs. At 5,000 titles completed of the approximately 15,000 items of classical music additions to be made we are now just about one third done. During the summer and early fall […]
Representations of the church have figured in libary bookplates and publications of the school for many years. The Church of St. Gregory the Great was designed by architect Pietro Belluschi in 1960. Modern Church Architecture, by Albert Christ-Janer et.al.., a book from 1962, includes a black and white sketch of the architect¹s […]
To mark the anniversary of September 11, 2001, Father Damian Kearney,’48 created a display of newspaper articles, photographs and books for the library at the opening of school. Included in the display was the New York Times obituary of Edward “Ted” Brennan III, Class of 1982, who had been a bond trader with Cantor Fitzgerald. The booklet from […]
The Portsmouth Abbey School library is fortunate to have several authentic manuscript pages in its collection. Manuscript pages can have the Mass or prayers, without notes, thus for reading only, and very often these have beautiful illuminated first letters. Those pages with notes are for the singing of prayers and hymns (either at Mass or […]
Over the years the Abbey school library has received many book donations. To recognize the book donors, bookplates have been designed for placement inside the cover. One of the early ones, done in woodcut style, shows the Holy Spirit (or the dove of peace) descending from above in red, and containing within its rays a […]
On a recent visit to the library by a writer of architectural history and an article of important examples of modern architecture in the state of Rhode Island in the February 10, 2002 Providence Sunday Journal Newspaper prompted the creation of an exhibit in the library of the works by and about Pietro Belluschi. Belluschi (1899-1994), […]
Two new additions have been made to the many artworks housed in the library. A seascape titled, “Surging Waters-Ogunquit, Maine,” was done by late-nineteenth-century American impressionist oil painter William Otis Swett, Jr., who lived in New England. Secondly, an antique secular tapestry depicting an idyllic garden scene, which measures 14 x 18 inches, was installed. […]
In conjunction with the Portsmouth Abbey School 75th anniversary weekend in September, a large display was mounted in the library. On display were books written by alumni, faculty and parents of alumni. Father Damian brought memorabilia from the early years of the school for the glass display case, including diplomas and commencement lists from the […]
During the three summer months it is a challenge to find an appropriate display because of the strong sun that comes through the skylight above the glass topped case. Father Damian came across a unique solution with his “shell sculpture” collection. During the formative years a monk does “Labora.” One activity (useful in confining winter […]