Chincogteague Library to Hold Several Events this Week

The Chincoteague Island Library will celebrate the island’s famous ponies with three programs featuring authors, photographers and a live Chincoteague Pony.

The series begins Monday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. with authors Linda Insley and Amanda Geci discussing their new two-volume collection, The Chincoteague Ponies of Assateague.

Volume I focuses on stallions, while Volume II features mares. The photographic scrapbooks document 435 Chincoteague Ponies from the 1970s through the 2020s using approximately 3,300 photographs taken by 21 photographers.

Insley and Geci will discuss how the books were created and share photographs and stories about some of their favorite ponies.

Two additional programs are scheduled for Thursday, July 30.

At 1 p.m., Kendy Allen, owner of Kerkaken Farms, will bring a Chincoteague Pony descended from Misty to the library for a children’s program. Members of the Chincoteague Pony Drill Team will assist during the event.

Children will have an opportunity to see the pony up close and, conditions permitting, have their photograph taken with it. The program is free and open to the public, and advance registration is not required.

Author Susan Friedland will present a Pony Book Celebration from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday.

Friedland will read from her new children’s picture book, Swirl: My Wild Island Pony. The story follows a young book lover who dreams of owning a Chincoteague foal and encounters a runaway filly during Pony Penning Week.

She will also discuss the life and work of Marguerite Henry, author of Misty of Chincoteague, drawing from Friedland’s memoir, Marguerite, Misty and Me. The presentation will include information about Henry’s 1946 visit to Chincoteague and the story behind one of the best-known books associated with the island.

The program will include an author talk, picture-book reading and question-and-answer session. Friedland will also sign copies of her books at Sundial Books at 2 p.m., before the library presentation.

The Chincoteague Island Library will be closed Wednesday, July 29.