
Inside the life of a curator (and the myth of white gloves), with John Overholt.
From Grammar Girl by QuickAndDirtyTips.com
April 16, 2026 · 31 min · Episode 1177
About this episode
The episode explores the life of a curator at Harvard's Houghton Library, discussing various aspects of curation and the myth surrounding the use of white gloves.
1177. This week, we look at behind-the-scenes of being a curator at Harvard's Houghton Library with John Overholt. We look at why 18th-century paper is surprisingly tough, how John managed the high-stakes transport of a George Washington book, and why curators actually prefer bare hands over white gloves. This bonus discussion originally ran for Grammarpaloozians back in January. Find John Overholt on Mastodon . Houghton Library's website 🔗 Join the Grammar Girl Patreon. 🔗 Share your familect recording in Speakpipe or by leaving a voicemail at 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses . 🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter . 🔗 Take our advertising survey . 🔗 Transcript available on QuickandDirtyTips.com . 🔗 Get Grammar Girl books . | HOST: Mignon Fogarty | Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network . Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend Director of Podcast: Holly Hutchings Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes, Rebekah Sebastian Podcast Associate: Maram Elnagheeb | Theme music…
People in this episode
Host: Mignon Fogarty
Guest: John Overholt
Topics covered
- curation
- libraries
- 18th-century paper
- George Washington
- museum practices
- white gloves myth
Keywords
- curator
- Houghton Library
- George Washington book
- white gloves
- 18th-century paper
- museum curation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Harvard's Houghton Library
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