Theater plays a significant role in our society. Beyond entertaining us, it promotes education and literacy, and it promotes different perspectives on issues and historical events, as well as… continue reading Philadelphia and the African American Stage

By written by Dr. Guy Sims    February 10, 2025   

• Theatre
• Black History Month
• History of Philadelphia

January 19 marks the 215th birthday of poet and author Edgar Allan Poe . Poe lived in Philadelphia from 1838 to 1844, when he published his most famous poem, "The Raven." To… continue reading Mark Edgar Allan Poe's 215th Birthday with Live Theater at the Library

By written by Des J.    January 7, 2025   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Theatre
• Edgar Allan Poe
• Author Birthdays

The Rare Book Department , located on the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library , is closed as of November 4th, 2024 for the installation of a new HVAC system.  Climate control is of the… continue reading Temporary Closure of the Rare Book Department

By written by Allison F.    December 2, 2024   

• Parkway Central
• Rare Book Department
• Children's Literature Research Collection
• Theatre
• Special Collections

The Free Library of Philadelphia is home to a myriad of Special Collections . Since mid-March, we have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means that those of us who work with the… continue reading #SpecialCollectionsAtHome

By written by Megan M.    April 27, 2020   

• Digital Collections
• Fleisher Collection
• Maps
• Mobile
• Rare Book Department
• Children's Literature Research Collection
• Theatre
• Social Media
• Print and Picture Collection
• Rosenbach
• Special Collections

by Karin S. and Chris B. Social Distancing can be a challenge! It seems like the rules of what you should and shouldn't do are always changing.  To help you learn* about the right and… continue reading The Rights and Wrongs of Social Distancing

By written by Administrator    April 24, 2020    2

• Fleisher Collection
• Rare Book Department
• Children's Literature Research Collection
• Theatre
• Print and Picture Collection
• Special Collections

October 10 marks the opening of an exhibition that analyzes Philadelphia's growth across more than three centuries, presenting more than 80 rare and revelatory prints, photographs,… continue reading Philadelphia: The Changing City - An Exhibition from Special Collections

By written by Janine P.    October 9, 2018   

• Exhibitions
• Maps
• Rare Book Department
• Theatre
• History
• Print and Picture Collection
• Special Collections

Philly Theatre Week , presented by Theatre Philadelphia, is a 10-day celeration of the artists, organizations, and audiences that have made Greater Philadelphia one of the most vibrant… continue reading Philly Theatre Week and a Look at Philadelphia Theatre History

By written by Karin S.    February 9, 2018   

• Exhibitions
• Archives
• Theatre
• History
• Special Collections

October 24 marks the birthday of the Roaring Twenties icon Gilda Gray. Born on October 24, 1901 as Marianna Michalska in Krakow, Poland, Gray didn’t get off to the easiest start in life. She… continue reading A Dance and a Headdress: All About Gilda Gray

By written by Grace D.    October 24, 2017    1

• Theatre
• Collection Care
• Special Collections
• Dance

Join us on Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 p.m. for a  free  performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society (PCOS) in the Montgomery Auditorium on the ground floor at the Parkway… continue reading Join Us for a Performance by the Philadelphia Chinese Opera Society

By written by Leanne F.    March 7, 2016   

• Events at the Library
• Chinese American
• Family Programs
• Music
• Parkway Central
• Theatre
• New Americans

Tonight's opening of Paint The American Eagle marks the Free Library's first foray into hosting and co-producing a production for the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.  The… continue reading "Paint The American Eagle" - Dickens + Free Library + Philadelphia Fringe Festival

By written by Karin S.    September 10, 2012   

• Events at the Library
• Parkway Central
• Charles Dickens
• Theatre