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Phrenology: Quackery or Science of the Mind?

Tom Kelleher will present a program on the subject of Phrenology, on Monday, Oct. 24th at 7:00 pm.

"Phrenology: Quackery or the Science of the Mind?"---will be a historically costumed dramatization, including "reading of cranial bumps" on a few (volunteer) heads, followed by a discussion of the history and enduring legacy of this once-popular pseudo-science.

Phrenology reached the height of its popularity around 1850, with numerous journals in circulation and the great and humble alike going for head readings by the thousands.  Today, except for a few "new age" practitioners on the sidewalks of California and London, phrenology survives only as a historic curiosity and as parody, remembered vaguely as the mysterious reading of bumps on the head in a Daffy Duck cartoon.

Tom Kelleher is currently Assistant Curator of Historic Trades, Mills and Mechanical Arts at Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge.  During the past 20 years at the Village, Tom has worked as a Costumed Historical Interpreter, Trainer for the Cooper Shop, Supervisor of the Mills, Coordinator of Historic Trades, Research Historian and Program Coordinator.

This free program is funded by the Friends of the Bridgewater Public Library.  It will be held in the library's Flora T. Little Room on the lower level.

HOLIDAY:

The Library will be closed on Oct. 10  --
Columbus Day

Meet the Author:
Sandra Gotshalk Stotksy

Sandra Gotshalk Stotsky will speak in the Flora T. Little Meeting Room on Wed., Oct. 26 at 7:00 p.m.  Her talk will focus on her books,  Losing Our Language and What's at Stake in the K-12 Standards Wars.

Sandra Gotshalk Stotsky is a nationally known author and educator.   She grew up in Bridgewater, attending the public schools and going on to graduate from the University of Michigan.

Ms. Stotsky is currently a Research Scholar in the School of  Education at Northeastern University.   In addition to the two books mentioned, she has edited a series of books for secondary school students titled "The Immigrant Series", which address the history of 19 ethnic groups in the United States.

The public is invited to attend this free lecture.

 In the Gallery :               

The Greater Brockton Camera Club will be exhibiting their annual photography show from Oct. 11 through Nov. 18 in the Flora T. Little Gallery.   The show consists of color and black and white photographs and includes New England scenes.

The show is always eagerly anticipated by staff and patrons alike.

BOOK CLUB MEETINGS

 Lunch Club -- Wed., Oct. 12@ noon

The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini

Evening Club -- Wed., Oct.26 @ 7pm

Selection TBA

Thanks to our Friends....