Join Simmons University Dean Emerita Michèle Cloonan at host Secret World Books (1774 2nd Street) as she discusses her new book. This talk considers the career of the pioneering book woman Alice Millard (1873-1938), who was an important rare-book dealer. She earned this distinction by selling extraordinary—and often quite costly—books to some of the most prominent collectors in the United States. The ties that Alice and her husband George Millard had to Highland Park are the focus of this talk.
Their best-known connection to Highland Park was the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed prairie-style house that they commissioned. However, the Millards had other connections to the town as well. George’s younger brother, William, had lived in Highland Park since around 1880 and raised his family there. Additionally, George was friends with Everett Millard (no relation) whose family were Highland Park pioneers. Still another attraction was religious; Alice became a Christian Scientist before she met George. The Highland Park church was growing rapidly when Alice and George arrived. Another Christian Scientist, Mary M.W. Adams, had a Highland Park home designed for herself by Wright in 1905—just a year before the Millard house was built.
George and Alice Millard lived in Highland Park for eight years. Their home was the setting for many book-related events. Alice spent her years in the town learning the book trade, skills she would put to work in Pasadena, California. The Millards left a permanent mark on the town through their home, and the town left a permanent mark on Alice.
