Building renovation
The Folger’s 1932 building, designed by architect Paul Cret, is undergoing a major renovation to expand public space, improve accessibility, and enhance the experience for all who come to the Folger.
Reopening Friday, June 21
We’ve announced that we’re reopening our building this June! We can’t wait to share our new spaces with you! Get a taste for what you can do this summer when you visit us.
Things to do
Plan your visit
About the renovation
Reaching out to a wide range of visitors, the building renovation project is adding new exhibition galleries, a learning lab, research spaces, social gathering spots, and more. Visitors will enter the new 12,000-square-foot Adams Pavilion through large, welcoming, and fully accessible plazas on both the east- and west-facing sides of the building. The project is made possible by The Wonder of Will Campaign.
During construction
While construction continues, our historic building at 201 East Capitol Street is not accessible to visitors for exhibitions, tours, or research. However, Folger Theatre welcomes audiences back to its historic home, while additional performances and programs continue at other venues and online.
News and updates
Folger Shakespeare Library Announces ‘Quill & Crumb’ Wins Café Naming Contest
Press release: March 14, 2024
Folger to Open New Galleries, Café, and Shop on June 21
Press release: January 30, 2024
Fred Wilson Installation Draws in Visitors
As visitors enter the Folger’s Shakespeare Exhibition Hall from the west lobby, before discovering the playwright’s stories and related artifacts in the interactive galleries, a majestic black mirror centered on a scarlet wall beckons them to take a closer look.
The Wonder of Will:
The Campaign for the Folger Shakespeare Library
The Wonder of Will has raised over $50 million to support the building renovation and the Folger’s many programs. Participate in the way that is most meaningful to you, from funding beautiful new spaces to supporting the programs that bring Shakespeare and his world to life.
Our campaign leaders and donors
Contact us at 202-675-0303 or wow@folger.edu
New spaces and experiences
Exterior spaces
Interior spaces
Gardens
The landscaped entry plazas will connect with open gardens on either side of the building, with paths and benches for visitors.
Exhibition halls
When the building reopens to the public, there will be permanent and temporary exhibitions available year-round in two large exhibition halls.
Education
The learning lab is the Folger’s new center for all kinds of learning, including hands-on demonstrations, interactive workshops, and lively discussions for learners of all ages. New exhibition galleries and more deeply engaging programs for students and teachers will enrich and support classroom work with Shakespeare’s texts.
Visitor amenities
- Full accessibility
- Elevator access to all public levels
- A new café in the Great Hall
- Expanded gift shop
- Expanded restrooms
Research
New study rooms are being created for researchers to consult about rare materials with Folger curators and conservators, along with multipurpose, flexible spaces for collaboration and seminars by the Folger Institute and others. The Reading Room, which features new ergonomic furniture, will reopen Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Timeline
Track the project’s progress since 2018.
June 2018
Restoration work begins on the Folger’s historic façade
April 15, 2019
The Wonder of Will campaign launches
January 4, 2020
Final day for research in the Folger Reading Rooms before construction begins
January 5, 2020
Final day for daytime visitors to the Folger main building before construction begins; the building remains open to the public for evening events
March 1, 2020
Final performance in the Elizabethan Theatre for the 2019-2020 Folger Theatre season; public evening access to the building ends
August 26, 2020
Ceremonial groundbreaking
September 2020
Puck statue and fountain disassembled for safe storage during construction
October 2020
The historic magnolia tree is moved to its new location in the West Garden
December 2020
Plinth dismantled and excavation begins
***
September 21, 2023
Puck statue unveiled in its new home in the East Entry Plaza
November 5, 2023
Folger Theatre reopens its doors with The Winter’s Tale
June 21, 2024
Building reopens to the public
June 25, 2024
The Reading Room reopens
Information for neighbors on Capitol Hill
The Folger is working to minimize the disruption our renovation project will have on the surrounding neighborhood. Traffic patterns around the 201 East Capitol building remain the same. Sign up for email updates
About the architects, designers, and other partners
Learn more about the people we are working with to accomplish this project.
Architects
KieranTimberlake is an internationally acclaimed architecture firm with a portfolio of beautifully crafted, thoughtfully made buildings that are holistically integrated to site, program, and people. Founded in 1984, the 100-person practice is recognized worldwide with prestigious design awards, publications, and exhibitions. The firm’s transdisciplinary approach integrates the expertise of architects, researchers, and communicators to create innovative, compelling, and award-winning projects for academic, art, cultural, government, and civic institutions throughout North America and overseas.
Landscape architects
OLIN is dedicated to affecting positive change through landscape architecture, urban design, and planning. From its studios in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, the firm practices in a range of scales, including ecological and regional systems, urban districts, campuses, civic parks, plazas, and intimate gardens. OLIN’s diverse group of partners leads the firm in developing multifunctional, highly crafted, and environmentally sensitive design solutions, uniting natural processes with technical innovation to produce contemporary and beautiful places that are beloved for generations.
Design
Pentagram is the world’s largest independently owned design studio. Our work encompasses graphics and identity, architecture and interiors, products and packaging, exhibitions and installations, websites and digital experiences, advertising and communications. Our 23 partners are all practicing designers, and whether they are working collaboratively or independently, they always do so in friendship.
Our structure is unique. We are the only major design studio where the owners of the business are the creators of the work and serve as the primary contact for every client. This reflects our conviction that great design cannot happen without passion, intelligence, and — above all — personal commitment, and is demonstrated by a portfolio that spans five decades and all industries.
Exhibition design and narrative
Studio Joseph is an architectural and exhibition design studio. In our integrated approach, both fields of study inform the other, forging the firm’s reputation for carefully detailed, original work. Our practice surpasses traditional architecture and casework design to create bespoke environments with emotional impact. We believe that museums and cultural institutions cannot be defined solely in physical terms and our work seeks to illuminate and express each institution’s unique identity and driving spirit.
Bluecadet is redefining visitor experience for the world’s most creative businesses, brands, and cultural institutions. Bluecadet was born in a museum, raised in a Philly rowhouse, and has grown to a 50-person team with studios in Philadelphia, New York, and LA. Our work ranges from designing visitor centers and immersive exhibition installations to developing comprehensive web platforms and digital tools — all designed, tested, and crafted to share stories that make an impact.
Storythings was founded in 2011. We help good people tell important stories in fascinating ways. We develop content formats, build brands and grow loyal audiences. We are a team of experts in audience research and behaviour, the science of story structures, and turning communications into culture. We produce long-form editorial journalism, podcasts, illustrations, graphic comics, data visualizations, animations, documentaries, infographics, and other innovative content formats.
Our construction partners
Gilbane Building Company
Construction Management
Becker and Frondorf
Project Management
TD Bank
Financing
Luke Hughes
Furniture