How do you get 80 teenagers to come to their local library for an event? You celebrate the Tony-Award-winning, Grammy Award-winning, Pulitzer-Prize winning historical musical sensation Hamilton! On the evening of February 13th, in an event co-sponsored by the Franklin High School Library and the Franklin Public Library and supported with a grant from the Franklin Education Foundation, scores of teenagers gathered to enjoy scones and tea, a sing-along with the Franklin High School Chamber Chorus, trivia and lyric challenges, and a Powdered Wig Challenge! The Hamilton Throwdown, like the musical, was a hit!
Franklin High School librarian Patricia London emceed the event, complete with her own powdered wig.
“To have teenagers or all ages just singing uninhibited at the public library at the top of their lungs is pretty great,” said London.
Caleigh Keating, Youth Services Librarian noted the Franklin Public Library’s focus on fandom. “We have a teen advisory board that consists of 20-25 attendees a month, and we’re already blown away by that,” said Keating, who says the group masterminded a murder mystery back in October and one focused on stress-relief for students. The Hamilton event, she says, drew the highest attendance.
Here are a few glimpses of the fun from the evening.