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Meet Louisa May Alcott

Portrayed by Pat Jordan from the American Historical Theater

Louisa May Alcott grew up at a time when America's views on education, philosophy, and human rights were radically changing.

Her father was a pioneer in education whose friends included Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Fuller.

After living in an ideal utopian community, moving numerous times, and struggling to make a career for herself, Louisa, the tomboy of the Alcott household, went off to become a nurse in the Civil War, profoundly changing her life. Deciding never to marry, the Alcott’s “Merry Spinster” continued to write and work tirelessly for social reform. Later, she single-handedly supported her family.

 Discover her struggles and successes, her eccentric father and hard-working mother, and about the sisters who inspired Louisa’s most famous work "Little Women".

An accomplished actor, operatic singer, and historian, Pat Jordan is a Philadelphia treasure. Working with the American Historical Theatre since 1992, Pat is known for the dramatic intensity of her performance. With a degree in theatre from Villanova, training at Juilliard Opera Workshops, and years of experience with the German Theatre Guild and AHT, MS. Jordan’s roles have included Shakespearean heroines, Victorian Music Hall comediennes, and opera divas. A devoted teacher, Pat has led history camps, taught at the Institute for the Gifted and at Bryn Mawr College. She was honored in 2009 by the Darlington Arts Center for her many years of teaching as part of the award-winning Chester Youth Theatre Outreach Program. Her "Rocks in the Sun" play about every person’s right to clean water led to a gratifying performance and workshop for young people whose caretakers died in the 9-11 tragedy. Pat Jordan has appeared at venues that include the White House Visitors Center, Library of Congress,  Smithsonian Institute, National Archives, Franklin Institute, Peddler’s Village (Cock & Bull Restaurant), National Constitution Center, Union League, National Portrait Gallery, Deshler-Morris House, and Mount Vernon.  Besides acting and singing, Ms. Jordan creates family-friendly scripts appropriate for audience-members of all ages.

AGE GROUP: | Multi-Generational | Families | Adult |

EVENT TYPE: | Live Performance |

TAGS: | #women's history month |

Manville branch

manville@sclibnj.org
Phone: 908-458-8425

Hours
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We're closed Monday February 16 due to Presidents Day
Mon, Feb 16 Closed
(Presidents Day)
Tue, Feb 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Feb 18 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Feb 19 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Feb 20 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Feb 21 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Feb 22 Closed

Upcoming events

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Tue, Feb 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area

Tue, Feb 17, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Children's Area

Wed, Feb 18, 10:30am - 12:30pm
History Room
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Wed, Feb 18, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Adult Media Area

Thu, Feb 19, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Adult Media Area

Thu, Feb 19, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Community Room

Thu, Feb 19, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Quiet Room
This event is full

Thu, Feb 19, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Adult Media Area

Sat, Feb 21, 10:30am - 12:30pm
History Room
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Sat, Feb 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Adult Media Area

Mon, Feb 23, 11:00am - 11:30am
Community Room

Mon, Feb 23, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room

Mon, Feb 23, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Community Room

Tue, Feb 24, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area

Tue, Feb 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Community Room

Wed, Feb 25, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Adult Media Area
This event is full

Thu, Feb 26, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Community Room

Thu, Feb 26, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Adult Media Area

Thu, Feb 26, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Community Room

Thu, Feb 26, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Adult Media Area

Sat, Feb 28, 10:30am - 11:30am
Community Room

Sat, Feb 28, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Community Room

Sat, Feb 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Community Room

Sat, Feb 28, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Community Room

Mon, Mar 02, 11:00am - 11:30am
Community Room

Mon, Mar 02, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Community Room

Tue, Mar 03, 10:30am - 11:00am
Children's Area

Wed, Mar 04, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Community Room

Thu, Mar 05, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Adult Media Area

Thu, Mar 05, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Community Room

Thu, Mar 05, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Adult Media Area

Fri, Mar 06, 10:00am - 12:30pm

Sat, Mar 07, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Children's Area

Sat, Mar 07, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room
This event is full

Mon, Mar 09, 11:00am - 11:30am
Community Room

Mon, Mar 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Community Room
Registration opens Monday, February 23 2026 at 9:00am

Mon, Mar 09, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Adult Media Area

Tue, Mar 10, 10:30am - 11:00am
Community Room

Tue, Mar 10, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Children's Area,Community Room

Wed, Mar 11, 4:00pm - 5:15pm
Community Room
Registration opens Wednesday, February 18 2026 at 10:00am

Thu, Mar 12, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Adult Media Area

Thu, Mar 12, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Community Room

Thu, Mar 12, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Adult Media Area

Fri, Mar 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Community Room

Sat, Mar 14, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Community Room

Mon, Mar 16, 11:00am - 11:30am
Community Room

Mon, Mar 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Adult Media Area
This event is full

Mon, Mar 16, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Community Room

Tue, Mar 17, 10:30am - 11:00am
Community Room

Tue, Mar 17, 3:30pm - 4:15pm
Children's Area,Community Room

Wed, Mar 18, 10:30am - 12:30pm
History Room
Please contact the library to register for this event.

Wed, Mar 18, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Community Room