Group of people standing in a garden on the grounds of the museum

2018 Gardener Sessions with Marta McDowell

Three seasons in the Museum gardens with Marta McDowell

Garden historian Marta McDowell is a familiar face to participants of the Museum’s annual Garden Days. The Emily Dickinson’s Gardens author will have an even bigger presence at the Museum throughout 2018 as our gardener-in-residence. Marta will lead five garden sessions this year, with a different theme for each session. Each session includes public talks and workshops, and volunteer gardening opportunities. Stay tuned for information on public programs and volunteer days in this series! Read more→

Two volunteers dig in the garden at the Emily Dickinson Museum

UMASS Summer Field School in Historical Archaeology

May 29 – June 30

In 2018 Archaeological Services at the University of Massachusetts will again offer a Summer Field School in Historical Archaeology at the Emily Dickinson Museum, home of the renowned poet in Amherst, Massachusetts. Students will learn and practice the fundamental skills of archaeological field and laboratory research under the direction of both academically oriented archaeologists and experienced cultural resource management professionals.Read more→

Poet reading at a microphone in the museum

Amherst Arts Night at the Emily Dickinson Museum

Poet reading at a microphone in the museumJune 7, 2018

On first Thursdays of each month, see a pop-up art exhibition in the Homestead, participate in an open mic in Emily Dickinson’s parlor, and listen to featured readers share their written work.

The Emily Dickinson Museum participates in Amherst Arts Night Plus on first Thursdays each month. Free and open to all! Each month, enjoy the following:

  • Pop-up contemporary art exhibit in the Homestead from 5 to 8 pm
  • Open mic signups from 5 to 6 pm, with the open mic beginning at 6 pm
  • Featured readers follow the open mic

About guest artists at the Emily Dickinson Museum: Please note that the works of guest artists may contain sensitive or mature material and do not necessarily represent the views of the Emily Dickinson Museum.

June 7, 2018 Arts Night Plus

Wyn Cooper portraitWyn Cooper has published five book of poems, most recently Mars Poetica. His work has appeared in Poetry, Ploughshares, Slate, and more than 100 other magazines as well as in 25 anthologies of contemporary poetry. His poems have been turned into songs by Sheryl Crow, David Broza, and Madison Smartt Bell. He has taught and given readings throughout the United States as well as in Europe. He lives in Boston and works as a freelance editor.

There’s a certain Slant of light (258)

There’s a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons –
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes –

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –
We can find no scar,
But internal difference,
Where the Meanings, are –

None may teach it – Any –
‘Tis the Seal Despair –
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air –Read more→

I taste a liquor never brewed (207)

I taste a liquor never brewed –
From Tankards scooped in Pearl –
Not all the Frankfort Berries
Yield such an Alcohol!

Inebriate of air – am I –
And Debauchee of Dew –
Reeling – thro’ endless summer days –
From inns of molten Blue –Read more→

Fame is a fickle food (1659)

Fame is a fickle food
Upon a shifting plate
Whose table once a
Guest but not
The second time is set.

Whose crumbs the crows inspect
And with ironic caw
Flap past it to the Farmer’s Corn –
Men eat of it and die.Read more→

I heard a Fly buzz when I died (591)

I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm –

The Eyes around – had wrung them dry –
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset – when the King
Be witnessed – in the Room –

I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portions of me be
Assignable – and then it was
There interposed a Fly –

With Blue – uncertain stumbling Buzz –
Between the light – and me –
And then the Windows failed – and then
I could not see to see –