University Libraries unveils 15th-century prayer books acquired with donor support

Binghamton University Libraries now has two Books of Hours in its special collections. Acquisition of the 15th-century prayer books was made possible thanks to the B. H. Breslauer Foundation Inc., which provided the majority of the funding for the purchase of the books. Support from the Aldo and Reta Bernardo Fund and the Bernard F. Huppé Endowment for Special Collections also enabled the acquisition.

Students, faculty and staff viewed the books at a reveal event Feb. 28 in the Bernard F. Huppé Reading Room of Glenn G. Bartle Library. Books of Hours are illuminated manuscripts that served as primary texts of literacy in the Middle Ages. Individuals would write in their Books of Hours, thereby personalizing them and creating historical records as they noted major life events in their families and other meaningful and important information.

“Each of these is a deeply personal archive, and we have two of them,” said Bridget Whearty, assistant professor in the English department and the medieval studies program at Binghamton. “We are so lucky to have these books. The next chapter of these books’ lives is just beginning.”

She noted the Books of Hours offer opportunities for new scholarly research at Binghamton, including by undergraduate students.

“It’s absolutely beautiful,” said Reta A. Bernardo, MA ’72, MA ’74, PhD ’79, who was visibly emotional after perusing one of the books during the event. “It actually makes me cry. The illumination is amazing.”