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Palace Green
Durham
DH1 3RN
T: 0191 334 2932
Sep 14th 2025
In December 1998, the Durham First Folio, a copy of William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies, was stolen along with six other items while on display in Cosin’s Library. For a decade, there was no news of the missing books and Durham University had to accept that the First Folio was lost. But the story didn’t end there. In 2008, a badly damaged book was brought to the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington D.C. The book was presented to experts as a newly discovered copy of the First Folio that needed authentication for sale. Staff at the Folger quickly recognised the possibility that this book was in fact Durham’s missing copy and after verification it was returned to its rightful home on Palace Green. This exhibition tells the story of what happened next, exploring the work of our conservation team to make the First Folio accessible again. Visit to see a rare and important cultural artefact and experience a book as you’ve never seen one before.
Beasts and Legends explores the development of storytelling throughout Historic County Durham. This family friendly exhibition features a selection of artefacts from across the Durham University collections to help tell the stories of local folktales. For those both familiar or new to the stories of the beasts and legends on display, the exhibition poses the opportunity for visitors, especially younger people, to connect with folktales through the displays. The exhibition also features objects on loan from Durham Cathedral, in addition to artworks created by collaborative work with local artist Ruth Flowers.
The pleasure of owning, holding and reading a well-made book is a feeling as familiar today as it was hundreds of years ago. The historic craft of bookbinding is an important feature of many of the rare books held at Palace Green Library and this exhibition celebrates the continuation of the artform by showcasing the skills of modern-day designer bookbinders around the world.
This contemporary art exhibition invites visitors to explore museum collections through a renewed Queer lens. Artist collaborators Bex Harvey and Sarah Li (Unlearn & Publish) have worked with members of the Durham community to creatively respond to objects from the Museum of Archaeology, Durham Castle, Natural Science Collection and the Oriental Museum. Through poetry, textiles, printmaking, and personal storytelling, the exhibition reimagines archival fragments and asks: Where can we find queerness within our history?
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