Birds in the Bindery

duration: 3.5 hours
meeting_point: Charleston Library Society 164 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401
group_size: Maximum 10 people
description: Birds in the Bindery: A historically inspired marbling workshop.

Join Drayton Hall and the Charleston Library Society for a morning of rare books and hands-on artistry.

The History: A Drayton Hall Curator will showcase the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust’s landmark 2024 acquisition: George Edwards’ A Natural History of Uncommon Birds and Gleanings of Natural History, now part of The Lenhardt Collection of George Edwards Watercolors at Drayton Hall. Originally owned by the Duke of Marlborough, these volumes represent the exact works John Drayton subscribed to in the 1700s.

The Workshop: Following a brief 20-minute presentation on these masterpieces of natural history, the Charleston Library Society will lead a hands-on paper marbling workshop. Participants will learn the traditional techniques used to create the intricate decorative patterns found in the world’s finest historic libraries.