Home » Mini-Reunion March 25th at the J.P. Morgan Library

Nov 21

Mini-Reunion March 25th at the J.P. Morgan Library

Hi everyone, we have another exciting mini-reunion being planned, this time by Nancy Mathiasen and Merry Galassi Hampton.   Its going to be in NYC but I am sending this out to the entire class in case any of you can arrange a trip to the Big Apple.  And if you can’t, please think of planning these types of events near where you live and let me know so I can send out an eblast for your event.  Remember, we want to start building the excitement for our 50th, and these mini-reunions are great ways to do it.  

And here’s the note from Nancy and Merry: Hello MHC’77!  

We have a fun idea that we hope you’ll want to join in for a future event in NYC on March 25th, 2025! 

To follow up from a 1977 mini-reunion held in 2022, we believe this exhibition will be interesting and amazing: Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, who helped him build his impressive collection of rare books, manuscripts and letters will be honored at a major exhibition at the J.P. Morgan Library in NYC where they worked closely together.  Here’s the link to the exhibit: https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/belle-da-costa-greene 

After Greene (1879-1950) was hired by Morgan in 1905, she emerged as one of the highest-paid women in America and commanded respect in a field dominated by men. She spent millions of dollars on Morgan’s behalf to acquire outstanding medieval manuscripts, rare printed books and works of art. All told, she headed the Morgan Library for 43 years and was single-handedly responsible for turning it into one of the most important collections of rare books and manuscripts in the United States. Not only had she organized and cataloged the collection, she had significantly expanded its holdings and displayed its treasures in curated exhibitions.

While she was famous and well known for her librarianship in her lifetime, few people also knew that she had been born to a prominent Black family, and by her early 20s was passing as a white woman in New York City, a very dangerous way to live. 

We invite you to meet us on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 at the Morgan Library and Museum in NYC, located at 225 Madison Ave. at 36th Street to visit the Library and this major exhibition. We will be back in touch with timing as soon as we arrange the specifics around the tour.  

Additionally, we’d like to meet for lunch nearby at one of the many terrific restaurants.   

Please let Merry know you are interested, use this link to a contact form. Stay tuned for details! 

Cheers, Nancy Mathiasen and Merry Galassi Hampton

Permanent link to this article: https://mhc1977.org/mini-reunion-march-25th-at-the-j-p-morgan-library/