The Rosenbach

Episode 11 of James Joyce's Ulysses introduces us to the singers, pianists, and barmaids of the Ormond Hotel. They captivate Leopold Bloom the way the mythical Sirens captivated sailors — through rhythm, longing, flirtation, and memory.

Experience a one-of-a-kind performance by vocalists Jasmine Ismail, Dawson Franzino, Jacob Hanes, and pianist Sarah Thune from the Academy of Vocal Arts as they personify the seductive pull of art. Turning literature into living sound.

Joyce’s “sirens” are not monsters but performers, voices, laughter, and musical textures that lure listeners into memory and imagination.

Learn more about the musical performances and view the full Bloomsday schedule at www.rosenbach.org.

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“In so many ways, large and small, the readings, the behind-the-scenes, and your marvelous presentations have helped me think in new ways about my own collection.”

That’s the kind of transformative experience participants are having in “The Curator’s Toolkit,” one of our enriching in-person courses at the Rosenbach Museum & Library. Through hands-on sessions with rare books, manuscripts, exhibitions, and collections care, attendees gain insider access to the fascinating world of museums and libraries while learning directly from experienced curators and cultural professionals.

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"Telemachus" is the first episode of James Joyce's 1922 modernist novel, Ulysses. Set at 8:00 a.m. on June 16, 1904, at the Martello Tower in Sandycove, Dublin, it introduces Stephen Dedalus, who represents Telemachus, the dispossessed son searching for a father figure, as he clashes with his boastful, mocking housemate, Buck Mulligan.

Celebrate Bloomsday with us. Step into the winding streets, sharp wit, and unforgettable adventures of Leopold Bloom and friends through one extraordinary day in Dublin. For more information, visit www.rosenbach.org.

Image: Phillip Phillips (1900-1994). "Martello Tower". Photographic print. Rosenbach Museum & Library. EMS 1330/11.

What an inspiring day exploring the incredible collections and landscapes at Nemours Estate and Winterthur as part of the Curator’s Toolkit course! From behind-the-scenes insights to thoughtful conversations about preservation, interpretation, and storytelling, the visit offered a powerful reminder of how historic spaces connect us to the past while shaping future scholarship.

Students in the course toured the Brandywine Building Collection storage facility at the Nemours Estate with Dr. Kery Lawson and were introduced to the library holdings with Winterthur's Curator of Special Collections, Allie Alvis. An incredible opportunity to learn alongside such passionate colleagues in two truly remarkable settings.

Learn more about hands-on courses at www.rosenbach.org

Image credit: Alexander Ames

The U.S. Sanitary Commission, forerunner of the American Red Cross (established on this day in 1881), was in dire need of funds to support ailing Union soldiers fresh from the battles of the United States Civil War. The Commission sought to provide food, clothes, and medical supplies to those in need. Thomas B. Bryan, the President of the Soldiers' Home of Chicago and a staunch supporter of Abraham Lincoln, saw an incredible fundraising opportunity through the sale of lithographic copies of the Emancipation Proclamation. With the original copy of the Proclamation procured, Bryan commissioned Chicago’s most renowned lithographer, Edward Mendel, to print copies to be sold at the 1863 Northwestern Sanitary Fair.

As the fair opened, Bryan greeted government officials, senators, and representatives from across the country. With this unassuming red leather ledger in hand, Bryan collected signatures and recorded sales of the important document. Most prominently featured are the signatures of Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, granting permission for the sales.

Experience history every day at the Rosenbach Museum & Library. Visit www.rosenbach.org for more information.

Image: Subscription book for a facsimile of the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln and members of his cabinet. Rosenbach Museum & Library. AMs 432/28.

Kicking off day one of the American Alliance of Museums Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo 2026 in Philadelphia with a powerhouse session at the Rosenbach Museum & Library.

Restructuring is never easy, but today’s workshop showed how rethinking institutional workflows can unlock new possibilities for mission-driven museums. From aligning departments around the full program life cycle — conceptualizing, researching, creating, marketing, facilitating, and evaluating — to exploring co-ownership across roles and measuring success beyond revenue, Rosenbach staff shared an inspiring and practical roadmap for sustainable collaboration.

One of the biggest takeaways: cross-departmental working groups can be a powerful way to spark innovation and strengthen impact. An energizing start to !

Image credit: Kelsey Scouten Bates