Tagged Special Collections
Rediscovering Sophie Drinker: A Pioneer in Women’s Music History
The Music Special Collections Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia holds three collections of music materials: the Edwin A. Fleisher Orchestral Music Collection , the Sheet Music Collection , and the Drinker Choral Collection…
Black Histories of Philadelphia: An Exhibition from Special Collections
The exhibition Black Histories of Philadelphia observes the stories of people and places that make up Philadelphia’s countless histories. Some stories are kept, some fade over time, and others are misrepresented or…
History in the Free Library Archives
For over 130 years, the Free Library has been serving the communities of Philadelphia. Because we believe that history is important and should be shared, we are working to make the Free Library of Philadelphia Archives an accessible and…
Temporary Closure of the Rare Book Department
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 utmost importance for our Special…
Telling Tales: From Oral Tradition to Art
The Map Collection , Print and Picture Collection , and Children's Literature Research Collection have joined together to create a new exhibition in the West Gallery on the Second Floor of Parkway Central Library . The…
First Fleisher Collection Scholarship Awarded to Philadelphia Composer and Pianist, Rhyuhn Green
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music is excited to announce our new partnership with Play on Philly (POP). We are particularly enthusiastic about this alliance as POP echoes Edwin Fleisher’s original concept in…
Discovering Rare Books and Special Collections at the Free Library
The mission of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation is to "provide resources and advocacy to advance the mission of The Free Library while stewarding and promoting our special collections for the benefit of all…
Celebrating World Photography Day
Photography means "to draw with light." It is derived from the Greek words photos , meaning "light," and graphos , meaning "drawing." We celebrate World Photography Day every year on…
Love and Revolution: James Baldwin Speaks to Our Time
Celebrate 100 years of James Baldwin (August 2, 1924 – December 1, 1987) with selections from across the Free Library’s collections highlighting Baldwin’s work, influence, and legacy. On display outside the Social…
Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music Gifts Avshalomov Works to China
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music is excited to announce the gift of three complete performance sets for works by Russian-born Chinese national composer Aaron Avshalomov to the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. The three…
The Fleisher Collection in LGBTQ+ Cinema
The Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music at the Free Library of Philadelphia houses over 22,000 pieces. Works are available for loan to amateur and professional performance groups worldwide, and many motion picture…
One More Bite
Join us Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in the Print and Picture Collection for a hands-on history event inspired by We Are What We Eat , the latest exhibition from the Free Library's Special Collections . Drop in anytime between 4:30 p.m.…
Will This Make Me Eat My Vegetables?
If you're a history- and vegetable-lover who DOES NOT suffer from coulrophobia, then we have a program for you! If you do suffer from a fear of clowns, then we *might* have a program for you. The choice is yours;…
Celebrating Printmaker Chen Lok Lee
The Print and Picture Collection is proud to present a program highlighting the work of artist and Master Printer Chen Lok Lee on Wednesday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m. Born in China in 1927, Lee studied at the Canton Public Art College and…
Snow-Drop: A Märchen, a Mouse, and a Mystery
The exhibition Into the Night features two paintings by N. C. Wyeth, The Admiral's Ghost and Snow-Drop . The first's title is somewhat explanatory ( It's a ghost! ), but the second is more confusing. Who or what is…
We Are What We Eat: An Exhibition from Special Collections
We Are What We Eat is on view from Monday, April 1–Saturday, November 2, 2024 on the Third Floor of Parkway Central Library in the Dietrich Gallery. "Food is more than just fuel to sustain our bodies;…
We Are What We Eat: Recipes and Resources
The Free Library's newest exhibition from the Special Collections Division, We Are What We Eat , explores the intersection of food, community, and identity. On view in the Dietrich Gallery on the Third Floor of…
Japanese Ukiyo-E Prints in the Print and Picture Collection
I’ve been working in the Print and Picture Collection at Parkway Central Library for about a year now and I’ve still barely scratched the surface of learning about all of the art housed here. One of the first projects I was…
Spotlight: The Letter People
For the last year, the shared offices of the Children's Literature Research Collection and the Map Collection have had a consistent litmus test for visitors. When a new visitor enters (either a researcher or a staff member),…
The Art and Influence of John Dowell: An Exhibition from Special Collections
by Laura S. and Karen K. In 1967, the Print and Picture Collection at Parkway Central Library purchased a print by a young Philadelphia artist named John Dowell. That first acquisition led to a relationship that has spanned 50…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends
From June 2nd to August 30th, 2025, visit the Second Floor Gallery West at the Parkway Central Library to view the Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends exhibition. Birds have long captivated humankind with their graceful…
Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends
From June 2nd to August 30th, 2025, visit the Second Floor Gallery West at the Parkway Central Library to view the Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends exhibition. Birds have long captivated humankind with their graceful…
Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends
From June 2nd to August 30th, 2025, visit the Second Floor Gallery West at the Parkway Central Library to view the Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends exhibition. Birds have long captivated humankind with their graceful…
Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends
From June 2nd to August 30th, 2025, visit the Second Floor Gallery West at the Parkway Central Library to view the Go Birds: Appreciating Our Avian Friends exhibition. Birds have long captivated humankind with their graceful…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
Why Do Birds Collide With Buildings? A talk by Audubon's Keith Russell
Why do birds collide with buildings? Most people love birds and the joy that they bring to our lives. But birds are in decline throughout the world. Here in the North America our wild bird populations are estimated to have declined by…
First Wednesdays with the Rare Book Department
Join the Rare Book Department for extended evening hours on the first Wednesday of every month. The Department will be open until 7 p.m. and staff will be offering tours, pop-up programs, and sneak-peaks. Can’t make it?…
Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection
In celebration of Philadelphia hosting the 2025 American Library Association's Annual Conference, we are hosting a Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection . Visit us on the second floor of Parkway…
Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection
In celebration of Philadelphia hosting the 2025 American Library Association's Annual Conference, we are hosting a Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection . Visit us on the second floor of Parkway…
Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection
In celebration of Philadelphia hosting the 2025 American Library Association's Annual Conference, we are hosting a Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection . Visit us on the second floor of Parkway…
Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection
In celebration of Philadelphia hosting the 2025 American Library Association's Annual Conference, we are hosting a Special Collections Open House in the Print and Picture Collection . Visit us on the second floor of Parkway…
Juneteenth | Legacy In Ink Community Book Fair and Exhibition Opening
In partnership with Black Docents Collective and Literacy Nation, we welcome all to attend our daylong Juneteenth celebration with Workshops, Discussions, and Presentations on Saturday, June 21 from 10 AM to 4 PM. Authors,…