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Folger Shakespeare Library

ArchitectureHistoryLiteratureClosed todayFreeCapitol South (Orange, Blue, Silver lines) — 4 blocks

由 Henry Clay 與 Emily Jordan Folger 夫婦創立、於1932年開放的 Folger Shakespeare Library,典藏規模冠絕全球:藏有逾25萬冊書籍、約6萬份手稿,以及82部1623年出版的《第一對開本》——佔現存世上所有版本的三分之一以上。這座由 Paul Philippe Cret 設計的白色大理石建築內部別有洞天,重現伊利沙伯時代的風貌,設有一座仿文藝復興時期客棧庭院風格的木構骨架劇院,以及飾有橡木護牆板和帶狀灰泥浮雕的 Great Hall。歷時多年的翻新工程於2024年6月竣工,首度以如此宏大的規模向大眾開放,新增了兩座展廳、一個學習實驗室、設於 Great Hall 內的咖啡廳,以及帶有茱麗葉陽台的莎士比亞花園。場館免費入場,平日專供學者查閱的 Gail Kern Paster Reading Room,亦於逢星期五傍晚及週末向公眾開放。

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Getting there

201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States

Nearest station: Capitol South (Orange, Blue, Silver lines) — 4 blocks, Union Station (Red line) — 8 blocks, Eastern Market (Orange, Blue, Silver lines)

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Hours

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Admission

Free

Free entry. A pay-what-you-will timed-entry pass is recommended (suggested donation from $15); walk-ins welcome as capacity allows. Passes are released up to three months ahead. Guided one-hour group tours cost $25 per person and include admission.

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Visitor Information

Is Folger Shakespeare Library free to visit?
Yes, general admission to Folger Shakespeare Library is free. Free entry. A pay-what-you-will timed-entry pass is recommended (suggested donation from $15); walk-ins welcome as capacity allows. Passes are released up to three months ahead. Guided one-hour group tours cost $25 per person and include admission.. Some special exhibitions may charge a separate ticket, so check the museum's website before visiting.
What are the opening hours of Folger Shakespeare Library?
Folger Shakespeare Library is open Galleries and Great Hall: Tue–Thu and Sat–Sun 11am–6pm, Fri 11am–9pm; closed Mondays. On evenings with public events the galleries stay open until 30 minutes before the event starts. The Paster Reading Room opens to visitors Fri 5–8pm and Sat–Sun 11am–5pm. The café closes half an hour before the rest of the building. No dated closures announced as of 10 September 2026.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Folger Shakespeare Library?
Folger Shakespeare Library is located at 201 East Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003, United States, in the Capitol Hill area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are Capitol South (Orange, Blue, Silver lines) — 4 blocks, Union Station (Red line) — 8 blocks, Eastern Market (Orange, Blue, Silver lines).
What can I see at Folger Shakespeare Library?
全球規模最大的莎士比亞典藏——坐擁82部《第一對開本》、一座伊利沙伯時代風格劇院及一座都鐸式大廳,距離國會大廈僅四個街區。 Current highlights include 莎士比亞展覽(Shakespeare Exhibition), The Great Hall, 傾聽她的聲音:黑人女性與莎士比亞 (To Hear Her Speak: Black Women and Shakespeare).
Do I need to book Folger Shakespeare Library in advance?
Folger Shakespeare Library is free to enter and most days you can walk in. Free entry. A pay-what-you-will timed-entry pass is recommended (suggested donation from $15); walk-ins welcome as capacity allows. Passes are released up to three months ahead. Guided one-hour group tours cost $25 per person and include admission.. For special exhibitions, weekends, and school holidays, booking a timed slot can help you skip queues. Check the museum's website for current requirements.
When is the best time to visit Folger Shakespeare Library?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.

Ser Amantio di Nicolao, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)