Shakespeare's Birthplace - Present Day

Present Day

Adjoining the Birthplace is the Shakespeare Centre, a contrasting modern glass and concrete visitors centre which forms the headquarters of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The driving force behind its construction, and opening in 1964, was Dr Levi Fox, OBE, Director of the Trust from 1945 to 1989, with a view to properly housing its library, documents and collections. As well as showing Shakespeare-related displays, the Shakespeare Centre also provides public access to the Birthplace.

The Birthplace recreates a picture of family life at the time of Shakespeare complete with period domestic furnishings, a glass window inscribed with the signatures of visitors to the house over the centuries, and John Shakespeare's glove making workshop. There is also a display relating the tale of Mrs Hornby.

Other exhibitions illustrate the changing occupancy and functions of the Birthplace (from Shakespeare's time onwards): as a home, workshop, inn, butcher's shop, literary shrine and visitor attraction.

The walled garden at the back of the house has been specially planted with flowers and herbs that would have been known in Shakespeare's time.

Read more about this topic:  Shakespeare's Birthplace

Famous quotes containing the words present and/or day:

    Coming together again after a long day apart can be an experience where joy, relief, anger, and fatigue are all present in different degrees both for the parent and for the child. Because of their importance in marking the resumption of direct contact, reunions deserve as much attention and care as separations to enhance the relationship between parent and child.
    Alicia F. Lieberman (20th century)

    So hideous was the noise, ah! benedicite!
    Certes, he Jacke Straw and his meinie
    Ne made never shoutes half so shrill
    When that they woulden any Fleming kill,
    As thilke day was made upon the fox.
    Geoffrey Chaucer (1340?–1400)