Join the University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections and Archives, in partnership with The Beatrix Potter Society and Iowa City Public Library, as we host a full day of events celebrating Beatrix Potter’s 160th birthday.

Enjoy an open house of rare Beatrix Potter materials and other treasures of children’s literature housed at Special Collections and Archives; an interactive presentation with a Beatrix Potter impersonator; academic panels with scholars and librarians; and a tea party! The Iowa City Public Library will also host "The Songs of Peter Rabbit," an interactive storytime. This all-ages celebration is sure to delight everyone from the most diehard fan to those just discovering Beatrix Potter for the first time.

Schedule of Events:

10–11 a.m.

• “William Morris, Beatrix Potter, and Victorian England”

• A pre-recorded lecture by Florence Boos, UI professor emerita of English and founder and editor of the William Morris Archive

• Location: Iowa City Public Library Group Room D

10:45 a.m.–noon

• "The Songs of Peter Rabbit Storytime" with ICPL staff

• Location: Iowa City Public Library Group Room A

1– 5 p.m.

• Special Collections and Archives Open House

• Location: Special Collections and Archives, UI Main Library Third Floor

1–2 p.m.

• Tea Party

• [Registration required, https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2ibdBVQF2GOZz0y]

• Location: Food for Thought Café, UI Main Library First Floor

2–3 p.m.

• Historical Women of Letters Presents Debra Ann Miller as Beatrix Potter

• Location: Shambaugh Auditorium, UI Main Library

4–5 p.m.

• “Beatrix Potter and Rare Book Collecting”

• Panel discussion with Lindsay Moen, UI lead public services librarian and chair of The Beatrix Potter Society; Peter Balestrieri, UI curator of pop culture; and Laura Michelson, UI curator of rare books and maps

• Location: Shambaugh Auditorium, UI Main Library