On a quiet, northwesterly corner of Wheaton College, in an appealing cottage-like setting, sits the The Marion E. Wade Center. Though sedate in its demeanor, the center speaks loudly in its volumes of literature and holdings of seven notable English authors and theologians. You know their names or their works. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien are the most popularly recognizable literaries whose books and papers rest at the center. It is here that visitors come from far and wide to open the doors of the large, wooden cabinet that inspired the wardrobe in the classic, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Nearby the wardrobe sits the desks of both Tolkien and Lewis. Walls display artwork and maps and memorabilia, as well as displays of their books, as well as the five other English authors whose works are contained in this little gem of literary greatness.
While our friends Jeri and Kyle from Oklahoma were visiting this week, we drove out to the Wade Center and had a lovely time reading and learning about the noted authors, though we did get a bit “chatty” in the reading room, necessitating a stern reprimand from the librarian. (I promise, we’ll be quiet next time.)
Although I’ve been to the Wade Center a few times, it still leaves me in awe; all-the-more-so when I see family and friends enjoy the exhibits and learn something new. On Thursday, we were awakened to Dorothy L. Sayers, who was friends with the other notables in scholarly residence at the Wade. The connection to the Lord Peter Wimsey series she penned and Sayer’s fascination with Dante, learning old Italian in order to translate his works, has left me eager to read some of her books. Jeri uploaded Dante’s works for Kyle on her Kindle that afternoon. Now, I need to locate my G.K. Chesterton book of short stores and see what Father Brown is up to very soon.
If you are ever in the western suburbs of Chicago, I urge you to visit the Marion E. Wade Center.
What a beautiful setting for a treasure trove. I love the photo of the gate – it looks such an inviting opening. When I’ve visited Boston and Cambridge in the past, I was impressed at the marvellous collections of books and art that can be found in centres such as this.
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Isn’t it wonderful to be in such in amongst such collections? For such a small building, the Wade is such a “treasure trove”. I had known about it for some years, yet never wandered over until a group of friends that I met over coffee with on a regular basis decided to take a little field trip.
Dorothy L. Sayers was the only woman in the group. I would like to learn a little more about her.
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This is on my “must do” list of things to do – and I have now favorite placed this post for future referral. The center even looks like an Oxfordshire cottage 🙂
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That is exactly what it looks like, Molly. An Oxfordshire cottage. I do think you would enjoy visiting the Wade Center.
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Oh, I do love your taste in reading, Penny! Every new book you recommend is one I know I will enjoy, and here you are talking about Sayers, a writer as refreshing as iced Pimms on the lawn, and the fustian incisor-sharp wit of Chesterton and his clergyman.
They all make great audiobooks too….
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How nice of you to say, Kate. Now, there is a thought. Pimms on the lawn with Sayers. I just checked our interlibrary system and they have quite of few of her Lord Wimsey’s on audio, so, later today, I think I’ll take the cue from you and check out a few.
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Oh, I would be in awe. C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien ….. It would be wonderful. I would love to visit. Maybe I will someday.
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It is a small center, Janet filled with books and things you would love, with towering Joe Pye Weed and grasses in front and much of interest to enjoy. You could take the train to Chicago. I’ll meet you an Union Station. We can walk over to the Northwestern line and ride the train to Wheaton. Oh, no! We’ll talk and talk and miss the Wheaton stop. tee hee Seriously, I just know you would enjoy it.
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Penny I didn’t know this place existed so close to Elmhurst! C.S. Lewis was one of Anton’s favorite authors when he was a young reader and I would love to bring him there to see the wardrobe and the desk! Thank you for sharing this!
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Janet, you and Anton can drive, or, better yet, get on the train. It’s a few blocks north of the Wheaton station, an hour in the Wade Center, then lunch at Muldoon’s. There is something so special, I think, about seeing the settings and touching the desks of such notables as C.S. Lewis.
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Penny:
Never even knew this was here! Can’t wait to go. It sounds so interesting.
See you Monday……………lunch will be waiting in the garden!
Mary Anne ox
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It is a hidden gem in Du Page, Mary Anne. It’s a small museum/library, about an hour’s worth at most – then lunch at Suzette’s Creperie, which is a delightful spot for ladies to lunch, though not, I am certain, as enchanting as your garden will be.
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How oddly connected we are at times! I arrived at your blog, following a C.S. Lewis trail, having loved Lewis and Tolkien and Chesterton for years and years. Last fall, I sat in The Eagle and Child pub and tried to imagine the first two in great debate there. Then, I scrolled through your blog as a lover of books. I laughed out loud at your first line since I have a blog called the fork in the road, which has nothing to do with gardening and isn’t the blog that led me here. THEN I saw The Secret Garden – my son played Dicken in high school and decided that was one too many coincidences. I’ll be back to read again. 🙂
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It is nice to meet you here, Debbie, and I enjoyed a few moments (more than two, in fact) reading your wonderful blog. I will return to it for spiritual nourishment.
Blogging is interesting, isn’t it, and I do see your appreciation for C.S. Lewis. How wonderful it would be to sit at the Eagle and Child. The friends that were with us had been there as well and Kyle had taught Lewis at his church. To see and feel their desks and the many, many papers and books is a wonderful experience.
So many coincidences, indeed. I love The Secret Garden – how interesting that your son played Dickon! Come back anytime and I’ll be visiting you often. Penny
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