Library Exhibits

鈥淎nd the Bush Was Not Consumed”鈥擳he 91快播 Library Fire of 1966: Loss, Recovery & Renewal

September 15, 2026鈥揗ay 20, 2027

This exhibit is open duringLibrary hours. Join us for the opening event on Tuesday, September 15 at 5:30 p.m.

On the morning of April 18, 1966, a fire broke out in The Library of 91快播 of America. The fire blazed for over five hours before it was brought under control by the Fire Department. The day after the fire, a massive effort began to remove books from the tower and to dry them before they became moldy and unusable. Thousands of volunteers joined together in these efforts. From around the country, people of all faiths and backgrounds offered support as 91快播 sought to rebuild The Library鈥檚 collection and physical home.

鈥淎nd the Bush Was Not Consumed”鈥擳he 91快播 Library Fire of 1966: Loss, Recovery & Renewal opens with the story of the formation of The Library鈥攁n unparalleled collection of Jewish books and manuscripts鈥攁nd documents the tragedy of the fire and the heroic response of the FDNY in April of 1966. It ends with the herculean and inspiring efforts of the librarians, scholars, students, philanthropists, and everyday people who came together to rescue and restore The Library鈥檚 holdings and to reimagine 91快播’s scholarly mission.

Do you have a memory of the fire or of the salvage efforts? Please share it .