The Marion E. Wade Center features a museum that showcases memorabilia and rotating displays which highlight selections from our collection of books, letters, manuscripts, and artifacts. Through these exhibits we invite our visitors to explore more deeply the seven authors' lives, writings, and the historical context in which they lived. Permanent pieces on display in the museum include: a wardrobe owned by C.S. Lewis, desks and pens belonging to C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, bookshelves from Charles Williams, the eyeglasses of Dorothy L. Sayers, and Owen Barfield's chess set and pipe. Museum exhibits are changed regularly so check back often.
Current Exhibits
"Oxford"
"The Canterbury Festival Plays"
"G.K. Chesterton's Detective Fiction "
"C.S. Lewis's 'Tales of Adventure'"
"Dorothy L. Sayers responds to scientist Fred Hoyle on BBC Radio" (interactive audio exhibit)
"J.R.R. Tolkien: A Film Portrait" (interactive video exhibit)
"Boxen: C.S. Lewis's Childhood Chronicles before Narnia" (interactive exhibit)
The Hobbit and Narnia displays
Our large-scale map of Middle-earth invites you to follow the path of Bilbo Baggins the hobbit as he travels "there and back again," charting his journey through the story of The Hobbit. Along the way you will encounter trolls, goblins, spiders, mountains, rivers, and vast forests. Watch out for Smaug the dragon! A binder of letters written by school children to characters in the book is also included. This display celebrates the 75th anniversary of The Hobbit and features artwork by author J.R.R. Tolkien.
A central museum case holds another Hobbit-themed display: "The Hobbit: A Merchandise Journey." A sampling of commercial products (books, puzzles, buttons, games, and action figures) traces the manifestations that The Hobbit has undergone over the years, including merchandise from the 2012 film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. These pieces are from the Wade Center's merchandise collections, which document how our authors and their works interact with society. Come see it today!
Also on display: "The Chronicles of Narnia: Props from the Movies." Come and see props used in the live action films by Disney / Walden Media: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) and Prince Caspian (2008). These items are on loan from Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media.