| 1889 |
 |
 November 30: George S. Pepper executes his last will and testament that includes a bequest to found the Free Library of Philadelphia |
| 1890 |
|
Free Library benefactor George S. Pepper dies |
|
|
Horace Trumbauer leaves the Hewitts' architectural firm and opens his
own firm at 310 Chestnut Street |
| 1891 |
|
 The court grants a charter for the Free Library of Philadelphia |
|
|
December 21: Mayor Edwin S. Stuart signs an ordinance appropriating $15,000 to the
Board of Education to establish the Philadelphia Public Library |
| 1892 |
|
April 12: Mayor Edwin S. Stuart signs an ordinance that places the Fairmount Parkway on the official city plan for the first time |
