 |
BTS' Barb Gulley & Rachel Brown, having visited Chawton, still found much to discover at The Morgan |
“A Lively Mind” is a perfectly fitting title for the Jane Austen exhibit at The Morgan Library. It beautifully showcases the personality, intelligence, and enduring allure of the author through her letters, personal possessions, and two centuries’ worth of inspired collections curated by generations of devoted Janeites. The exhibit marks both the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth and the 50th anniversary of the library’s acquisition of an impressive collection of Austen treasures from Alberta Burke.
Curated by Dale Stinchcomb of The Morgan Library and Juliette Wells, a professor at Goucher College, the exhibit opened in June and runs through September.
 |
Jane's letter to her niece, written backward. |
 |
Cassandra's "cut" - an edit of "uncharitable" remark. |
We first learned about the exhibit last year, shortly after our initial visit to The Morgan Library. Knowing they owned some of Austen’s letters, I mistakenly assumed they would be on permanent display. When we found nothing Austen-related, I sent an inquiry asking when and where one might view them in the future. To my delight, Dale Stinchcomb himself responded, sharing news of a special summer 2025 exhibition that would feature not only the library’s holdings but also additional items on loan from Chawton.
 |
Barb G. at Chawton where Jane A. wrote |
 |
Rachel B. played the Chawton pianoforte |
That was all we needed to hear—we called our NYC family and booked our hotel! After waiting a multitude of fortnights, last week my husband Chris, our daughter Rachel, and I returned to the familiar Gilded Age home-turned-museum in Midtown Manhattan.
It was well worth the wait.
Even though Rachel and I have previously visited Chawton, Winchester, and Bath, we found plenty to discover in The Morgan’s A Lively Mind. The exhibit includes several of Jane’s letters, many written to her beloved sister, Cassandra.
 |
Lock of Jane's hair once owned by Alberta Burke. |
 |
Jane's ring, once owned by Kelly Clarkson |
After reviewing all of Austen’s correspondence in The Morgan’s collection, Curator Stinchcomb shared that even he was struck by “discovering Jane’s chatty, snarky voice.”
In her letters, Austen speaks candidly about fashion, her writing, daily activities, health, and family. Her remarks about relatives weren't always believed to be flattering, however, leading to some conspicuous editing by Cassandra. In one letter, it appears she physically cut out “uncharitable" remarks to protect both author and family.
 |
"She was the sun of my life". |
 |
Cassandra's letter after Jane's passing. |
Among the most poignant items on display is a letter from Cassandra to her niece Fanny, announcing Jane’s passing and writing, “I have lost a treasure...” Stinchcomb says the letter still moves him deeply: “[The Morgan] should put a box of tissues next to it.”
Other highlights include:
✨ A letter written entirely backward to her eight-year-old niece—in elegantly legible script, no less.
📜 A “cross-hatched” letter to Cassandra, where Jane wrote in two directions to conserve paper. At the time, the recipient paid the postage, which was calculated by the page.
💍 Jane’s turquoise ring, once won at auction by Kelly Clarkson in 2014. After public outcry in Britain over the ring leaving the country, Clarkson “graciously” returned it to England.
💇♀️ A lock of Jane’s hair, purchased by Alberta Burke. Like Clarkson, Burke faced condescension from British citizens questioning how such a relic could belong to an American. In response, she generously donated it to Chawton Cottage.
📕 A global array of book covers from Austen’s novels—including the Italian edition Gorgoglio e Preguidizio, depicting Elizabeth Bennet with a riding crop, looming over Mr. Darcy. A dramatic and intriguingly menacing interpretation of their romance.
 |
Austen book covers from different countries. |
 |
Interesting take of P&P from Italy. |
A final note on The Morgan's Jane Austen collection donated by Albera Burke. She bequeathed her Austen manuscripts to this museum/library because she never forgot the generosity of its "kindly curator".
We, too, have benefited from the hospitality of a dedicated Morgan Library curator. We thank The Morgan and Dale Stinchcomb for this outstanding exhibit.
 |
Rachel and Chris outside The Morgan Library and Museum. |
There's still time to take in "A Lively Mind" at The Morgan. For more information on visit the exhibit's page on The Morgan's website: A Lively Mind: Jane Austen at 250 | The Morgan Library & Museum