the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – Jane Austen fans across the globe are honoring the beloved author’s 250th birthday, and the Ridgewood Public Library (RPL) is joining in the celebrations with a series of events designed to explore her timeless works, enduring themes, and cultural impact.
Born in December 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire, England, Austen initially published her novels anonymously—her debut Sense and Sensibility was simply credited “By a Lady.” Today, she is one of Britain’s most treasured writers, with her portrait even featured on the UK’s ten-pound note.
Across Britain, Austen’s milestone anniversary is being marked with grand Georgian costume balls, period dances, and literary gatherings. In St Albans, Hertfordshire, a historical ball welcomed guests in Regency-era attire, where dance instructor Libby Curzon of Mrs. Bennet’s Ballroom taught traditional dances reminiscent of those featured in Pride and Prejudice. These romantic events echo the social scenes in Austen’s novels, where dance was both courtship and entertainment.
For one attendee, Gauri Davies, attending a Jane Austen ball with her husband was a lifelong dream. “She really gets to the heart of romance,” Davies said. “Her themes of class, privilege, and love are still so relevant today.”
📚 Ridgewood Public Library Honors Jane Austen with a Summer & Fall Celebration
Bringing the festivities stateside, RPL has curated a rich lineup of programs that run through summer, fall, and winter, culminating in December. Fans of all ages can enjoy book discussions, film screenings, podcasts, and even regency-style dancing.
Upcoming Highlights Include:
✅ Book Discussion: Northanger Abbey
📅 Thursday, Aug. 7 at 11:00 AM
Led by RPL Director Lorri Steinbacher, this discussion explores one of Austen’s most playful and satirical novels.
✅ Two-Day Screening of Miss Austen
📅 Thursday, Aug. 21 & Friday, Aug. 22 | 1:00–2:45 PM
Enjoy a four-part historical series diving into Austen’s life and legacy.
✅ A Bend in the Road Podcast Special Episode
🎙️ Hosted by Roberta Panjwani, RPL Assistant Director
🎧 Featuring Rebecca Romney, author of Jane Austen’s Bookshelf: A Rare Book Collector’s Quest to Find the Women Writers Who Shaped a Legend. Episode drops Aug. 6.
✅ Staged Reading: Jane Austen’s Manydown
📅 Saturday, Sept. 20
A special performance shedding light on Austen’s social world and literary inspirations.
✅ Proud (and Prejudiced!) English County Dance
📅 Sunday, Nov. 2
💃 Featuring live music, Regency-era dance instruction, and the North Jersey Country Dancers—a true step back in time!
🎉 Why Jane Austen’s Legacy Endures
Austen’s novels—Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and more—capture universal themes of love, class, family, and social expectations. Her wit and insight continue to inspire readers, filmmakers, and scholars worldwide.
Ridgewood’s celebration offers the perfect way for fans—both longtime admirers and newcomers—to experience Austen’s world in new and engaging ways.
📅 Mark your calendars for these events and celebrate 250 years of Jane Austen in Ridgewood!
For more details and registration, visit Ridgewood Public Library’s website or call 201-670-5600.
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