Western University: Weldon Library Building EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

London, ON

Schweitzer Gallery, Archives and Special Collections Research Centre
Mid-January to Mid-End March 2025

The Kindred Spirits Exhibition was launched at the D.B. Weldon Library on Western University’s campus on January 10, 2025. Wendy Dieleman led a bookbinding workshop entitled “Book-by-Mail” to kick off the event. Lucy Maud Montgomery had many pen pals during her lifetime, and one dear Scottish friend received over 180 letters from her! The SWO chapter wanted to salute Maud’s love of pen-pals by creating this notebook with a built-in envelope! The workshop was from 3pm until 5pm. After the workshop, and before the evening program, guests could enjoy coffee, lemonade, and chocolates freshly imported from Prince Edward Island. There was even a crock with a mouse inside on the refreshment table! Dan Mezza from the Southwest Ontario (SWO) chapter of CBBAG bound a copy of Anne of Green Gables, which was the event’s door prize.

Enjoy our Slideshow!

8. Book by mail workshop 2
7. Book by Mail workshop
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Deborah Meert-Williston, Special Collection and Rare Books Librarian, offered the opening remarks, and Arielle Vanderschans, CBBAG Vice-President, introduced the guest speakers. Barb Helander spoke first, providing insight into the evolution of the Kindred Spirits exhibition. Dr. Alan MacEachern, Professor at the University of Western Ontario, then talked about his recently published book, “Becoming Green Gables: The Diary of Myrtle Webb and Her Famous Farmhouse”. Dr. MacEachern fielded many questions about his research. Everyone was interested in that house with green gables!

Following the speeches, Arielle Vanderschans, on behalf of the CBBAG Board of Directors, presented Barb Helander with a framed piece of calligraphy—a quote from Lucy Maud Montgomery. The memento was in appreciation of Barb’s effort in bringing the Kindred Spirits exhibition to fruition.

After the program, attendees were encouraged to visit the exhibit, beautifully arranged in the Schweitzer Gallery oak cabinets adjacent to the Archive and Research Collections Centre. Kindred Spirits was on the Western Ontario University campus for the first three months of 2025, and during this time, it was enjoyed and appreciated by many.