The Richard W. Couper Press has published its first monograph, Visiting the Shakers: Watervliet, Hancock, Tyringham, New Lebanon, 1778-1849. It is edited by Glendyne Wergland, who presented the Couper Phi Beta Kappa Library lecture at Hamilton on Oct. 23.
In 2006 the Couper Press was founded and named in honor of the late Richard W. Couper '44, an alumnus and life trustee of Hamilton and benefactor of the Burke Library. Couper also served as a former president and CEO of the New York Public Library, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and deputy commissioner of higher education with the New York State Education Department.
The Press is funded by the Couper Endowment which was established to make library archival holdings more available to the public. In addition to the monograph series the Couper Press publishes a quarterly journal of scholarship, American Communal Societies Quarterly (ACSQ), which showcases the communal societies collections of the library.
Visiting the Shakers is a compilation of 98 accounts written by visitors to four Shaker villages. According to the preface by Elizabeth De Wolfe, "This volume gathers together these period observations, ranging from short diary entries to lengthy periodical articles. The majority of these sources have not been seen in print for more than 150 years. An award-winning independent scholar, Wergland guides the contemporary reader through the phenomenon of 'visiting the Shakers,' providing the social and historical context for the praise and criticism offered by these numerous and diverse visitors."
The book, which is 382 pages with 15 black and white illustrations, costs $35 and can be ordered from the library. Contact April Caprak, 315-859-4475, acaprak@hamilton.edu.
In 2006 the Couper Press was founded and named in honor of the late Richard W. Couper '44, an alumnus and life trustee of Hamilton and benefactor of the Burke Library. Couper also served as a former president and CEO of the New York Public Library, president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and deputy commissioner of higher education with the New York State Education Department.
The Press is funded by the Couper Endowment which was established to make library archival holdings more available to the public. In addition to the monograph series the Couper Press publishes a quarterly journal of scholarship, American Communal Societies Quarterly (ACSQ), which showcases the communal societies collections of the library.
Visiting the Shakers is a compilation of 98 accounts written by visitors to four Shaker villages. According to the preface by Elizabeth De Wolfe, "This volume gathers together these period observations, ranging from short diary entries to lengthy periodical articles. The majority of these sources have not been seen in print for more than 150 years. An award-winning independent scholar, Wergland guides the contemporary reader through the phenomenon of 'visiting the Shakers,' providing the social and historical context for the praise and criticism offered by these numerous and diverse visitors."
The book, which is 382 pages with 15 black and white illustrations, costs $35 and can be ordered from the library. Contact April Caprak, 315-859-4475, acaprak@hamilton.edu.
