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Featured below are past program activities and special events for which transcripts, media files, photo galleries, or other related information is available online.
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"Author Talk"
Author Gillian Gill introduced We Two, her biography on Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and shared insights from her other acclaimed biographies on Mary Baker Eddy, Florence Nightingale, and Agatha Christie. Thursday, March 11. |  |
"Brown Bag Book Club"
Patrons prepared for Gillian Gill's upcoming author talk by discussing We Two with the staff of Lending and Reference Services. Participants either brought their lunches, books and ideas to the Library to join the conversation or, for those further away, participated by conference phone. Tuesdays, March 2 and 9. |
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"The Art of Reading"
Free admission for children 5-17 during February school vacation week, including Mapparium® tours, hourly story time, and a poster competition. February 16-19. |
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"Writer/Performer/Producer Talk"
Val Kilmer discussed the development of his film project about the life of Mary Baker Eddy on Thursday, February 11. Watch the video here. |
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"Writer/Director Talk"
Christine Buxton described her vision and passion for bringing an extraordinary episode in the life of Mary Baker Eddy to the stage on Thursday, January 21. |
“First Night 2010”
New Year’s Eve 2010 once again found The Mary Baker Eddy Library buzzing with activities. Entertaining attendees were three groups: Project STEP, Stajez and the SCIM Youth Band. The Library was open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with activities throughout the day.
“Caring for Christmas—a Nineteenth-Century American Story”
The Mary Baker Eddy Library is celebrating the holiday season this year with “Caring for Christmas—a Nineteenth–Century American Story.” The event was held Sunday, December 6. Watch the video here.
“Opening Our Doors”
Boston’s largest, single, free day of arts and cultural events was back for the eighth year. The Fenway Alliance’s “Opening Our Doors 2009” took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day). Kick–Off was at 10 a.m. on the Christian Science Plaza on Massachusetts Avenue.
“Facing Down Slavery, A Contemporary Story”
September 29, 2009 at 7 p.m.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, whose presidency led to the abolition of slavery in the United States. This program included a panel presentation in which three Boston-based humanitarians spoke about what it takes to “face down slavery” in today’s world.
“One World 2009”
A summer program that introduces culture and arts to the children of Boston. The Library this year focused on the current exhibit: “All in Harmony,” which details the role music played in Mary Baker Eddy’s life.
“Curator’s Camp for Kids”
Kids went behind the scenes at The Mary Baker Eddy Library to become a curator for a day on Saturday, July 25, 2009.
“Meet the Author”
Thursday, May 7th, 4:30 p.m. in the Hall of Ideas.
Book talk and reception with Margaret Pinkham, author of the newly-published A Miracle in Stone: the History of the Building of the Original Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, 1894, a richly detailed and dramatic telling of the story behind this Boston structure.
“All in Harmony”
Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 1 p.m.
With the Library’s new music exhibit as a back drop, we talked about what music meant to Mary Baker Eddy and listened to some amazing music organizations from our own backyard. It was a program for the whole family.
“My Voice, My Song” (spring school break)
Tuesday, April 21 through Friday, April 24, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free admission for students 17 and under. Complementing our “All in Harmony” nineteenth-century music exhibit, the program connected students to music as a source of entertainment and inspiration. Children of all ages were invited to write poems, create instruments (rattles, kazoos, etc.), and set poetry to music.
“Nursing’s Spiritual Roots in Contemporary Practice”
Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. From Florence Nightingale to today’s nursing challenges, a conversation with renowned lecturer Jean Watson, PhD, RN.
“My World, My Peace”
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of The Christian Science Monitor and exploring what peace means to youth and how they can help to create it. Children participated in a poster contest during the school vacation week of February 17 through February 20 and displayed their artwork in the Atrium at the Library. Five winners were announced at a reception on March 5, 2009.
“One Working Band”: Music in Mary Baker Eddy's New England
A discussion and celebration of congregational singing in nineteenth-century New England, exploring the shared musical experience of three spiritual traditions: Unitarian Universalist, Episcopal, and Christian Science.
“Varieties of Scientific Experience: Mary Baker Eddy, William James, and Other Honest Investigators of the 19th Century”
Professors of history and philosophy, independent scholars, and an archivist discuss the importance of science to nineteenth-century American thought and culture, with particular emphasis on the relationship of science and religion.
“Meet the Author”
Former Library Fellow Heather Curtis discusses her book, Faith in the Great Physician: Suffering and Divine Healing in American Culture, 1860-1900.
2008 One World
Learn abut the Library’s 2008 summer program for children.
“Passion for Poetry: The Importance of Verse-making to 19th-Century America and Mary Baker Eddy”
The first program in the Arts & Sciences series featured a discussion panel of experts on and enthusiasts of nineteenth-century American poetry. Enjoy recitations and sung performances of poems of the era, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “A Psalm of Life.”
2007 One World
Learn about the Library’s 2007 summer program for children.
“Africa After War: Paths to Forgiveness”
Watch streaming video of the 2006 talk on the Monitor’s recent series, with Melanie Stetson Freeman and Abe McLaughlin.
2006 One World
Learn about the Library’s 2006 summer program for children.
“Impressions of Daily Life”
Information, including a photo gallery and audio download, on the Library’s panel discussion on daily-life photography.
“Women, Spirituality, and Power”
Visit spirituality.com to watch the archived video of the program featuring Liz Walker, Ann Braude, and Judith Wellman.
“Mary Baker Eddy: From Adversity to Innovation”
Watch the video of the sold-out talk with Gillian Gill.
“An Archive of One’s Own—Women’s Archives Past and Present”
Read the transcript from a discussion with authors and historians on how the possessions of women provide a unique opportunity for understanding the lives of individuals often excluded from the traditional historical record.
“The Importance of Being Archival”
Information about the discussion with prominent historians, including media files of an excerpt featuring the director of the Massachusetts Historical Society, William Fowler.
“From Archives to Bookshelf”
Access media files of an excerpt and read the transcript from the Library’s presentation on how archivists, historians, and a publisher worked together to produce a new volume.
“The 19th Century World of Mary Baker Eddy”
Access media files and read the edited transcripts from a special presentation with Ann Braude, David Hufford, Phyllis Tickle, Allen Weinstein, and Lesley Pitts.
