Library to Celebrate Final Season of “Downton Abbey” With Exhibit, Programs

In recognition of the sixth and final season of PBS favorite, “Downton Abbey,” Tompkins County Public Library has announced plans to celebrate the award-winning show with an exhibit and thematic programming during the month of February.

“Downton Abbey” is a historical drama set in England and explores the British social hierarchy through the lives of an aristocratic family and their domestic servants. 

“Hats, Shoes and Accessories of the ‘Downton Abbey’ Era,” an exhibit featuring clothing worn in American during the early 1900s, will be on display in the Library’s Avenue of the Friends through February 29.  Items featured in this exhibit have been made available by Cornell University’s Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design, The History Center in Tompkins County and the Lansing Historical Society.

A guided tour of the exhibit will be provided by Cornell University Alumna Catherine Blumenkamp Saturday, February 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. during “Tea, Tour and Gossip.”

“Tea, Tour and Gossip” will provide Downton fans of all ages with an opportunity to enjoy tea, and scones and muffins donated by Wegmans, while sharing predictions and hopes for the show’s final season with fellow fans. Members of the Ithaca Lace Guild will also be on-hand to demonstrate tatting and bobbin lace crochet.  Downton-themed costumes are encouraged.

Young fans will have an opportunity to accessorize their costumes in advance of “Tea, Tour and Gossip,” during a Downton-inspired headband making workshop, Thursday, February 4 at 7 p.m. in the Thaler/Howell Programming Room.

Facilitated by local costume and accessory designer Jenny Leigh DuPuis, this program will encourage young Downton fans to explore their creativity by designing their own Art Deco-style headbands. To register, visit http://bit.ly/TCPLheadband or contact Teen Services Librarian Regina DeMauro at (607) 272-4557 extension 274 or rdemauro@tcpl.org.

The fun continues Wednesday, February 10 with a 6 p.m. screening of “Gosford Park.”  Set in the 1930s, “Gosford Park” follows an all-star cast of upstairs guests and downstairs servants as they investigate a murder during a shooting party at an English country home. 

The film will be shown in the Library’s BorgWarner Community Room.

For more information, contact Information and Learning Services Librarian Teresa Vadakin at tvadakin@tcpl.org or (607) 272-4557 extension 272.