A book of hours (took so long to write) crafted by monks where the pages are vellum with wide margins, sides and bottom. My spirits of Darwins Theory were enhanced with my recollection of the movie, 'Inherit The Wind' with Spencer Tracy and Fredrick March, who gave a resounding performance as an anti-Darwinian.The rare book room contained other prestigious book holdings. ![]() I felt 'evolved' in the presence of this book and it sent a mildly alarming sensation through me that said to myself: this book deserves the continued TLC that it has already enjoyed. Then an irreplaceable treasure, a 1st edition of Charles Darwin's: On The Design Of The Species, still intact with its origin binding. On my way to the rare books room, up a few flight of stairs (you get a workout here), I noticed Ben Franklin titles (the face of the US $100 bill) not 1st editions. The combination of a church-like architectural profile and the remarkable collection of books, have prompted The Peabody to be dubbed the: 'Cathedral of Books'. The overall space feels welcoming and not of the 'do not touch me' vibe typical of museums and prestigious libraries and the furniture looks like sophisticated Ethan Allen. To accommodate this policy, many alcoves on the ground floor, each with a long worktable, become quiet reading places for visitors. Almost every subject is covered and although I had an urge to take a book back to the hotel, books can only be read inside the library. Housed within this gloriously cavernous facility, that was immensely appealing to the bookworm inside me, is a repository of information dating from the 18th century to the early 20th. The detailing is astonishing, from Greek decorative borders to various floral motifs in ironworks The classical faux columns are Corinthian in design and embellished with gold leaf. The black and white marble floor is polished and shiny like a recently Zamboni-watered ice rink. The library has a dramatic 'stack room' with 5 tiers of ornamental cast iron balconies with railings outfitted in ornate screens and brimming with books that appear to be soaring to the sky. It is a 'Gilded Age' marvel, an absolute treasure that is as powerful as the knowledge contained within.The Peabody incorporates a dramatic Neo-Greco design and as I entered the grand reading room, my eyes were drawn to the 61 foot latticed atrium above the floor, dwarfing even a 1/2 dozen of the tallest NBA players stacked on top of each other. ![]() Although the outside is impressive, the view inside blew me away. The building itself is considered one top the most stunning libraries in North America, as the spot is an architectural wonder. Although the library is majestic and of monumental knowledge proportions, the current space also serves as popular event happening, backdrop for films and TV shows and is a real draw for destination and local weddings. Because I'm a library lover, I couldn't pass up the chance to visit The Peabody Library in Baltimore.This library was bestowed on the people of Baltimore as a gift from philanthropist George Peabody.The Peabody is blessed with 300,000 volumes comprising the John Hopkins University special collection.
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