Peoria Public Library, in conjunction with Illinois State University, Bloomington Public Library and Normal Public Library; will present a variety of programs throughout October that reveal the forgotten side of “The Woman Behind Little Women.” Louisa May Alcott wrote secret thrillers, served as a Civil War army nurse, was raised in the heart of the Transcendentalist and Abolitionist movements of the 19th century and gained literary skills from teachers such as Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Many people are unaware of the details of the life and work of Louisa May Alcott, best known as the author of Little Women. The series of October programs, will peek into the life of Louisa May Alcott and her literary works from the famous to the little known.
All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call 309-497-2000 or visit http://www.peoriapubliclibrary.org or http://library.illinoisstate.edu/alcott/index.php.
Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women film and book discussion with Alcott scholar Roberta Trites from Illinois State University: Saturday, October 1, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., Main Library Auditorium.
Biography and Non-Fiction Book Club meeting discussing Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father by John Matteson. Also featuring Louisa May Alcott scholar Roberta Trites: October 9, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m., North Branch
Twin City Tale Spinners performance: October 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Main Library. Join storytellers Vivian Carter and Mike Lockett as they perform using Louisa May Alcott’s stories as well as stories she and her sisters may have heard during their lifetimes. Pre-show discussion will feature Civil War dress and custom, pictures, songs, crafts, and other stories. All families welcome.
“Hoop Skirts and Teacups” demonstration and information session by Tea Ladies Inc.: October 22, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., North Branch; 3:00-5:00 p.m., Main Library. The Tea Ladies, Inc. will teach you all about women of the Civil War Era from their touching letters and journals. You will hear some amusing stories about hoop skirts and other feminine finery. There will be a tea brewing demonstration and special Civil War music played. Adults welcome.
Mother-Daughter Flower Fables Tea: October 23, 2:00-4:00 p.m., North Branch. Mothers and daughters are invited to enjoy Louisa May Alcott’s Flower Fables book and watch historian Lorraine Schwass demonstrate dressing from the inside out during the Civil War. Girls 8 and older and their mothers or female companions are welcome.
Talk About Good book club meeting discussing Little Women: October 26, 4:00-5:00 p.m., North Branch
Civil War Dance Society demonstration; October 29, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Main Library. The Civil War Dance Society will give a dance performance and demonstration, and may even invite audience members to participate!
Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women is a documentary film co-produced by Nancy Porter Productions, Inc. and Thirteen/WNET New York’s American Masters, and a biography of the same name written by Harriet Reisen. Louisa May Alcott programs in libraries are sponsored by the American Library Association Public Programs Office with the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities.