hidden treasure

I am sitting at the University of Chicago library this Saturday afternoon and despite the eternal grogginess that has followed me around the past few days and made me wish very strongly that I could be resting at home and sleeping in this weekend, I am very glad to be here right now.

In an effort to pursue a certain dissertation on the history of Bahais in Chicago, my friend Marie and I have discovered a veritable treasure of books revolving around the Faith tucked away here, all producing that delightful old book smell that makes one feel just a tad bit smarter just being close to it.

Not only do they have prayer books and the entire Star of the West collection, they also have books like 'Some Answered Questions' and 'God Passes By', and history books and several in what I can only assume to be Farsi and Arabic-and my most favorite discovery, a book documenting the different designs put forth for what eventually became the Mashriqu’l-Azkar, that was built in Wilmette. The book had drawings of several different buildings, some Germanic, others Roman and even one that was Gothic. Very interesting, especially if you've had the pleasure of viewing the building as it stands today.

If I were more ambitious and prolific, perhaps I would scan a few of those photos and post them on this ol' blog, but alas, I am not. Instead I challenge you to have an adventure and make your own way down here and find it for yourself. You won't regret it, I promise.