Walt Whitman Heritage Society of Bolton - 25th year celebrations

Bolton’s Whitmanites and the Edward Carpenter Forum will be hosting events in and around Bolton to celebrate the poet’s birthday and the 25th revived “Whitman Day” walk and picnic.

Events happening on the 29th May

SONG of MYSELF

6.30pm to 9.00pm
The Pavilion Theatre, University of Bolton Campus

• Readings and Musing on Literary Comradeship (including refreshments)

Events happening on the 30th May

Exhibition of the Walt Whitman Collection

2.00pm to 3.00pm
Bolton Central Library and Museum, Bolton Museum Education Studio 1, First Floor

• Including correspondence, and photographs of the original group that first met in Eagle Street in 1885. Two noted authors will provide a depth of local knowledge and a truly international perspective on the continuing links between Walt Whitman and Lancashire.

Talk by Michael Robertson

3.00pm to 4.00pm
Lecture Theatre, Basement

• Michael Robertson, Professor of English at The College of New Jersey is the author of Worshipping Walt, a group biography of Walt Whitman’s 19th –century disciples, published spring 2008 by Princeton University Press.

Talk by Dr Paul Salveson

4.00pm to 4.40pm
Lecture Theatre, Basement

• Dr Paul Salveson, from Bolton, is the author of a new edition of With Walt Whitman in Bolton, published May 2008 by Little Northern Books.

Unveiling of the Plaque

4.40pm to 5.00pm

• There will be an unveiling of the plaque in the entrance of the Library and Museum by the Mayor of Bolton. The plaque is being placed on the building to celebrate the fact it houses the largest collection of Whitman material outside of the United States.
  

Exhibition of the Walt Whitman Collection

5.00pm-5.30pm
Bolton Central Library and Museum Bolton Museum Education Studio 1, First Floor

• Another chance to see documents from the collection.

Reception and Book Signing

5.15pm to 6.00pm
Museum Foyer, First Floor

• Attended by the Mayor, includes refreshments. An opportunity to talk with the authors and purchase signed copies of their books.

Inauguration of Whitman Town Trail

6.00pm to 7.00pm

A town walk visiting places of interest connected to the original Whitmanites led by Don Lee.

Events happening on the 31st May

Exhibition of the Walt Whitman Collection

9.00am to 10.00am
Bolton Central Library and Museum, Bolton Museum Education Studio 1, First Floor.

• Includes correspondence, and photographs of the original group that first met in Eagle Street in 1885.

Worshipping Walt

10.00am to 12.00pm
Bolton Central Library and Museum, Lecture Theatre, Basement

• In conversation with Prof Michael Robertson, Dr Paul Salveson, Prof Sheila Rowbotham, from Manchester University, Joey Cain, (Chair) from San Francisco, and John Baker, from London, with members of the Edward Carpenter Forum.

Annual Whitman Birthday Walk

2.00pm
Meet at Barrow Bridge Bus Terminus, Bolton

• A five mile stroll ending at Brian Hey Tea Rooms

Events happening on the 1st June

A walk from Adlington to Rivington

11.00am (or take 10.45 train from Bolton)
Meet Adlington station

• Walk finishes up at Rivington Chapel Tea Rooms at 1.15pm.

Whitman Service

2.15 pm
Rivington Chapel

• A special service with a performance by The Clarion Choir, taking as its theme some of the works of Whitman, with readings and music.

Further details are available

Email: Stuart.murray103@googlemail.com
Telelephone: 01204 417268