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Biedenharn Bible Collection Brings History to Monroe

JMWK, flickr.com
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https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
"Treasures of the Biedenharn Bible Collection" spotlights a Gutenberg Bible leaf.

"Treasures of the Biedenharn Bible Collection" is Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m. at the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens. The presentation discusses the highlights of the collection, including an Armenian manuscript from 1121 and a Second Edition King James Bible.

The Biedenharn Museum and Gardens was formed by Emy-Lou Biedenharn. Her father, Joseph A. Beidenharn, was the first person to bottle and distribute Coca-Cola. After an almost ten-year vocal career in the U.S. and Europe during the 1930s, Emy-Lou came back to Monroe and shared the culture she had seen with the Monroe region. Over time, she created the Bible Museum, as well as the ELsong Gardens.

"We may not have the quantity of some places, but we've got the quality," according to Ralph Calhoun, the executive director of the Biedenharn Museums and Gardens. The program spotlights an Armenian manuscript "leaf" from the year 1121. A leaf is a single page, usually from a larger document or book. According to Calhoun, the language used in the manuscript can still be partially read by Armenian-speakers today.

The presentation will also look at a Second Edition King James Bible, published in 1611. This is referred to as The Great "She" Bible because of a change in the story of Ruth and Boaz from "he" to "she." "It doesn't change your theology or doctrine at all, but it does change the story," says Calhoun.

"Treasures of the Biedenharn Bible Collection" is Thursday, February 22 at 6 p.m. in the Welcome Room at the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens. This is a free event. More information about the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens is available here