The Summer Book Sale
Friday, July 24 – Tuesday, July 28
Current Exhibition
June 10 – September 26
“Free as air to all.”
Welcome to Pequot Library
History You Can Hold
Special Collections
Our Mission
Bringing literature, music, art, science, and the humanities to our community, our mission extends far beyond most traditional lending libraries. A small gem to be discovered, Pequot Library is a vibrant programming library where visitors of all ages arrive for high-impact cultural events and leave enriched and inspired.
Current Exhibition
UNFINISHED REVOLUTION: 250 Years of Marking American Independence
250 years ago, America’s founders declared independence from England and set forth the principles that would shape the nation: that all men are created equal and entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In UNFINISHED REVOLUTION: 250 Years of Marking American Independence, historic speeches, photographs, diaries, and souvenirs from the Centennial and Bicentennial illustrate how America has been celebrated in Southport and beyond. Alongside these materials, the exhibition also highlights powerful responses from those who argued that the promise of equality remained unfulfilled. Publications like the Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society and Frederick Douglass’s searing 1852 speech, “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”, reveal how the language of the Declaration has been invoked to demand equality, freedom, and justice, for those who, in practice, had been excluded from the founding ideals. As we mark the 250th anniversary of American independence this July, UNFINISHED REVOLUTION invites visitors to reflect on the nation’s founding principles and consider how we might work toward a more perfect union.
Mark your calendars for the Opening Reception on June 10 at 6:00 p.m. Legendary Tony Award-winning actor James Naughton leads an extraordinary lineup of celebrated performers, Michael Tucker, Jill Eikenberry, and Nathan Anthony Hinton, in a bold and electrifying series of live performances inspired by this exhibition.
The Declaration of Independence and Equality | Live performance with James Naughton & Friends on Sept. 10 at 7:00 p.m. | Join us for a live performance from James Naughton & Friends, followed by a moderated Q&A
Closing Exhibition Celebration | Featuring James Naughton & Friends on Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m. | Join us for a live performance from James Naughton & Friends, followed by a moderated Q&A and a live band performance. There’s a $50 charge per person for this program only, and monies raised support exhibition programming
Join us for a guided exhibition tour on the second Saturday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
- June 13 at 1:00 pm
- July 4: Tours led by teen docents
- August 8 at 1:00 pm
- September 12 at 1:00 pm
This project is supported by funding through CT Humanities.
Pequot Library and its special collections are often called “a treasure,” and for good reason. Rare books and manuscripts have been at the heart of our library since 1889.
Special Collections
That’s when the founders set their minds to building a spectacular collection of Early Americana that would document American exploration, the colonial era, revolutionary period, and early republic
Plan Your Visit
Serving readers of all ages, our dynamic calendar of first-rate arts and literary programs and events educates and entertains a broad audience. We curate multiple exhibitions during the year that highlight and explore rare books, manuscripts, and archives from our Special Collections of approximately 30,000+ items.
In conjunction with our exhibitions, we organize guided tours and educational programs for K–12 students throughout the area, including Fairfield and Bridgeport. Here are some helpful details to plan your visit to Pequot Library!
