McCarthyism in the Suburbs: Quakers, Communists, and the Children's Librarian - MoreThanTheCurve
Serving Conshohocken, Lafayette Hill, Plymouth Meeting and West Conshohocken since 2009.

  1. McCarthyism in the Suburbs: Quakers, Communists, and the Children’s Librarian

    Education, Hosted By William Jeanes Memorial Library

  2. Took place on Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
  3. William Jeanes Memorial Library
    4051 Joshua Rd, Lafayette Hill

  4. The story of Mary Knowles, William Jeanes Memorial Library, and the House Un-American Activites Committee

    Join us for a thrilling look back at the history of our very own library with Professor Allison Hepler, author of the book McCarthyism in the Suburbs: Quakers, Communists and the Children’s Librarian! In 1954, librarian Mary Knowles came to Plymouth Meeting to become head librarian after being fired in Boston for refusing to take a “loyalty oath,” a tactic used during the Red Scare of the late 40’s and 50’s to out “subversive” elements. She brought new life to the library, which flourished under her leadership, but the old troubles followed her when she was again asked to take a state loyalty oath. This time, however, she had the backing of the Quaker community, themselves long suspicious of this kind of persecution… Registration required.

    Free Admission

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