Services > Central Library > John Wilson collections > Current exhibit
Remembering Katharine McCanna: Highlights from Her Gift of Children's Literature
Location, time
- John Wilson Special Collections
- Central Library
- 801 S.W. 10th Avenue
- Portland, OR
- September 5–October 31, 2008
- Tuesday: 2:30–5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: 3:30–7 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Saturday: 2:30–6 p.m.
About the exhibit
Portlander Katharine McCanna (1905–2000) amassed an amazing collection of children's books in her decades as a bookseller. At her death at age 94, her family gave the John Wilson Special Collections of Multnomah County Library a gift of more than 1,000 books, which was the subject of a Collins Gallery exhibition in 2001.
This exhibition features highlights of this astounding collection of materials, rich in illustrated works (particularly from the mid-20th century), and includes original ink drawings (by Tasha Tudor among others); a signed letter from first lady Mamie Eisenhower; a beautiful and inventive handmade book by Barbara Tetenbaum that commemorated Katharine McCanna; and wonderful children's books of all kinds.
For more information contact John Wilson Special Collections Librarian Jim Carmin at 503.988.6287.