Kid reporter Annie Vernick learns about Edith Wharton's life and library from First Lady Laura Bush. Courtesy of Annie Vernick

Monday, April 24, 2006—During a recent visit to Lenox, Massachusetts, First Lady Laura Bush celebrated two of her favorite subjects—the late Pulitzer prize-winning author Edith Wharton and reading. Mrs. Bush spoke at The Mount, the 50-acre estate that was Wharton's home during the early 1900s, to honor the return of the author's personal library from England. When The Mount, a national historic landmark, opens to the public for the 2006 season, the library will be on view.

"As a [former] librarian and a lover of literature, I believe it's important for Americans to be able to visit the homes of our most renowned and beloved authors," Mrs. Bush said. "This library is an amazing collection that contains the books Edith collected, read, and cherished throughout her life."

The Edith Wharton Restoration (EWR) organization purchased Wharton's collection of 2,600 books for $2.6 million—that's $1,000 per book—from a British rare-book dealer who had owned the collection since 1984. Before that, the collection had belonged to Wharton's British godson.

Several of the books have inscriptions from Wharton's close friends, including historical figures like President Theodore Roosevelt. The library contains books on subjects such as literature, history, philosophy, religion, and science. Look closely and you'll find a copy of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Personal copies of Wharton's own books—she wrote more than 40—are also a part of the collection. Her bestselling novels include The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth.

"When [Wharton] was 10 years old, she was first allowed to enter her father's library, and on that day, her life changed forever," explained Mrs. Bush. "During her childhood, that library was one of her favorite places."

Mrs. Bush is no stranger to the life and work of Wharton. Last year at the White House, she presented the "Preserve America" Presidential Award to The Mount in honor of EWR's restoration of Wharton's home and gardens. At that time, Mrs. Bush expressed a desire to visit the estate some day. The EWR directors remembered her remark and contacted the First Lady as they began to plan this event.

A Groundbreaking Woman

Edith Wharton grew up in a society known as "Old New York," during a time when women were discouraged from having careers. This did not stop Wharton, who went on to become the first woman ever to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. She also received an honorary doctorate from Yale University.

In 1902, she designed and built The Mount, named after a home belonging to her grandfather. Today, The Mount is one of the few national landmarks that honor women. It will be open to the public beginning May 6.