Posts in “history” (173)
Blog Articles
It’s the 50 Anniversary of the blaxploitation film Foxy Brown starring Pam Grier . The film is credited for revolutionizing the way women were portrayed in cinema. To celebrate this… continue reading Pam's Picks: Favorite Books of Legendary Actress Pam Grier
By written by Administrator February 9, 2024 6
Helen Adele Johnson Whiting (1885 – 1959) was a trailblazer in the education of African-American students, particularly those in rural areas of the South. Her education from Columbia… continue reading Advancing African-American Education: The Helen Adele Whiting Collection
By written by K. Michelle W. February 1, 2024
The Free Library of Philadelphia is the proud custodian of an astounding literary artifact in our Rare Book Department : a copy of Shakespeare's First Folio that belonged to English… continue reading “Making Shakespeare: The First Folio” - Featuring a Cherished Free Library Artifact
By written by Bridget G. November 21, 2023 1
Beginning Wednesday, April 12, 2023, the Free Library of Philadelphia launches a unique seven-part series of live evening events exploring the life and career of George Orson Welles , one of the… continue reading Special Lecture Series: Orson Welles & The Golden Age of Hollywood
By written by Administrator October 12, 2023 10
In 2023, the Free Library is observing the 50th anniversary of hip hop with a limited-edition library card design commissioned by local artist Akinseye Brown . In… continue reading 50 Years of Hip Hop: Books Authored by the Artists
By written by Bridget G. September 11, 2023
I am a Black woman living, thriving, and loving in Philadelphia. How we prepare our food has a history, and that history is often long and can be challenging to decipher. We live in a world where… continue reading Sugar Don’t Go on Grits: An Archival Look at the Great Migration’s Effect on How We Eat
By written by Andrea L. August 18, 2023
This summer, the Free Library is observing the 50th anniversary of hip hop with a limited-edition library card design commissioned by local artist Akinseye Brown . In honor of this… continue reading 50 Years of Hip Hop: Essential Reading in Genre History
By written by Bridget G. July 18, 2023
Honor Juneteenth with the Free Library of Philadelphia! This year, we celebrate Juneteenth for the third time as a federal holiday, but it has been an important celebration for nearly 200 years!… continue reading Honoring Juneteenth at the Free Library
By written by Inaara S. June 9, 2023
Hip hop's 50th anniversary represents a milestone for an American genre of music and art that began in the 1970s at block parties in New York City — specifically the Bronx. Born out of… continue reading The Free Library Observes the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop
By written by Bridget G. June 5, 2023
The Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral Music at the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a closing theme as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month comes to an end for 2023. As… continue reading Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage in the Fleisher Collection
By written by Fleisher Collection May 24, 2023
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May! Also sometimes known as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, it first began during the 1970s with a week-long… continue reading Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May
By written by Inaara S. May 1, 2023
Did you know that in 1654, 23 Jewish refugees sailed to the port of New Amsterdam (presently New York City) and established the first Jewish community in what we now call the United States?… continue reading Honoring Jewish American Heritage Month
By written by Inaara S. May 1, 2023 1
The Free Library of Philadelphia has some wonderful resources for people researching the history of children's literature in America. With just a library card , several databases are… continue reading Profiles in Literature
By written by Chris B. April 25, 2023
Visit one of our libraries to explore our newest database, Ancestry Library Edition , which provides the most extensive collection of genealogical information currently available… continue reading Ancestry Library Edition
By written by Sharyl O. April 17, 2023 2
Early in our Interior Chinatown unit, my co-teacher and I talked to our students about the idea of interior and exterior — an important contrast that structures Charles Yu ’s novel.… continue reading Teaching Interior Chinatown — With Appropriate Supports
By written by Administrator April 10, 2023 2
Over the years, the Philadelphia Commission for Women has partnered with the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Organization for Women on vital programs to… continue reading Comrade Sisters: Women of the Black Panther Party
By written by Suzanna U. March 22, 2023 1
NewspaperArchive is an online database of billions (and yes, that’s BILLIONS with a B!) of newspaper articles from Pennsylvania, the U.S. (all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin… continue reading NewspaperArchive Is a Blast From the Past!
By written by Sharyl O. March 22, 2023 2
Using your library card, you can now enjoy Black history in the oral tradition via The HistoryMakers Digital Archive : the largest video archive of African American history spanning from the… continue reading The HistoryMakers: Enjoy African American History On-Demand
By written by Bridget G. January 19, 2023
What better way to learn about Black history than through the lens of Black news sources, as written and published by the African American journalists of yesterday? The Free Library is pleased to… continue reading All the Historic Black Newspapers Available Online With Your Library Card
By written by Administrator January 18, 2023 2
Phew, the summer is heating up! As we all try our best to deal with the rising temperatures in our area, don't forget that the Free Library is a great place to cool off. Check your… continue reading Celebrate the Dog Days of Summer!
By written by Kate C. June 30, 2022