Event

Pages Through History: 'Fragile Cargo' by Adam Brookes

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cosmos Room

In 1924, a small group of scholars began the monumental task of cataloging the hundreds of thousands of rare items amassed in the Forbidden City by China's emperors

It is perhaps the greatest collection of Chinese art and antiquities ever assembled, and one never meant to be seen by the public. These scholars moved heaven and earth to save their nation's past from its war-ravaged present, but even they couldn't keep the collection from being permanently split between Beijing and Taipei. Fragile Cargo: The World War Two Race to Save the Treasures of the Forbidden City is their story.

Find Fragile Cargo in the library catalog.

This is a hybrid event with the option to participate in person or on Zoom. Online participants will receive the Zoom link in their confirmation email.

If you have questions about this event after registration has closed, please email the events team or call the library at 847-673-7774.

Limited to 24 in-person participants.

Registration begins May 1.