Kid's Corner
Aunt Ted
Aunt Ted, born Mary Spink in 1877, was beloved to her nieces and nephews, and a great friend to the Athenaeum.
She was a graduate of Wellesley College and a Latin scholar at Brown University. Upon the death of her father, she chose to leave her studies to work and care for her mother. Her journey to and from work led her past the Athenaeum daily and she often stopped in to check out books not only for herself, but also for her nieces and nephews as well. She was devoted to them and to introducing them to the best children’s literature.
For years, Aunt Ted hosted a family Christmas Eve celebration in her home where she would, (with two day’s rehearsal) direct the children in plays based on stories that she found in the children’s collection of the Athenaeum.
Naturally, the children of this family could expect books, books and more books under the tree from their dear aunt. "May Day" brought May baskets magically left on the young ones' porches - with candy and flowers for them to enjoy.
It is easy to see why, when she passed away in 1968, her grateful neices and nephews created a corner of the children’s Library to honor the memory of such a special and loving woman. Today, Aunt Ted’s corner is used to house our series books as well as showcase books of special interest.
One of the missions of the Athenaeum’s Sayles Gorham Children’s Library is to preserve the spirit of her generosity and love of children’s books and to share that spirit with all children who visit here.