Posts in “history” (162)
Blog Articles
Domestic working and middle-class housing in Philadelphia will probably bring up images of row homes in the minds of most people. There are some notable exceptions however like The Letitia Penn… continue reading Survivors and Casualties: Domestic Housing in Philadelphia During the 18th and 19th Centuries
By written by David D. January 11, 2019 2
As long as there has been war, there’s been writing about war, whether in poetry or prose, exploring not only its glory and valor but its brutality and cost. "The Great War"… continue reading The Poets of WW1
By written by Alex B. January 10, 2019
The late and great Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell once sang, "Ain’t nothing like the real thing baby." These words hold true for how to best experience our material culture. People… continue reading Take History in the Palm of Your Hand with this New Series from the Free Library's Special Collections
By written by Joe S. January 7, 2019 1
I have a confession to make—I am that friend who always wants to get a trivia team together on a Tuesday night. I’m also that kid who read Trivial Pursuit cards for fun to see if I… continue reading Celebrating the Trivia Nerd in All of Us
By written by Christine M. January 4, 2019 3
Update: The Free Library’s At These Crossroads exhibition was honored as an Adobe Government Creativity Awards finalist in the ‘Multichannel Campaign – Museum of Park… continue reading At These Crossroads: The Legacies of Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois Exhibition
By written by Administrator December 20, 2018 3
![L.A.W. Local Cycling Map, 1897, Map [recto]](https://libwww.freelibrary.org/images/blog/FLPBlog/orig/changingcity-cycling.jpg)
Come and learn about Philadelphia's exciting, dynamic, and often forgotten history with a free guided tour of the Philadelphia: The Changing City exhibition. The tour will be led by… continue reading Free Tours of Philadelphia: The Changing City Exhibition
By written by Joe S. November 5, 2018
Philadelphia’s miracle-mile of beauty, learning, inspiration, uplift, pleasure, and play is now 101 years young! The Parkway 100 celebration of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway drew to its… continue reading Loving the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at the Start of its 101st Year
By written by Matt S. October 30, 2018
The position of First Lady is a unique one in American government. It’s not a democratically elected position, but the office holds a great deal of cultural clout, and the women who occupied… continue reading First Ladies, In Their Own Words
By written by Violet L. October 29, 2018
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
In a world of "fake news" and "alternate truths", the importance of critical thinking is more important than ever. Educators and librarians have replaced old-school teaching… continue reading Back to School, but Not Old School: Information and Primary Source Literacy
By written by Joe S. September 12, 2018
Unless you've turned off all avenues of media and have been hiding under a proverbial rock (and really, no judgement here!), you may have noticed Russia has been in the news a bit recently...… continue reading Conspiracy? Intrigue? Collusion? Read Some Russian History and Fantasy!
By written by Rachel F. July 18, 2018 3
[ Editor's note: We librarians offer literally thousands of programs every year. It's a special thrill to get formal feedback from our audiences. We can't publish every review we get,… continue reading Art, Gardens, and Stories: Making Philadelphia Home
By written by Administrator June 28, 2018
The Centaur Book Shop was opened on 1224 Chancellor Street in Philadelphia by Harold Mason. Initial funding was partially supplied by John Frederick Lewis, the Philadelphia bibliophile and… continue reading Philadelphia's Centaur Book Shop and Press, 1921-1942
By written by Alina J. June 22, 2018 3
The Print and Picture Collection recently added a group of photos to the Historical Images of Philadelphia Digital Collection featuring intrepid reporter Vivian Shirley climbing three… continue reading Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Reporter Vivian Shirley Climbs Philadelphia Landmarks!
By written by Laura S. May 31, 2018 2
Now that the fog has lifted from St. Patrick’s Day, it occurs to us at the Free Library that the holiday is the moment where the fact of an Irish diaspora is felt most strongly in… continue reading Remember an Gorta Mór: the Great Famine
By written by Adam F. March 26, 2018
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
We know all of Philly is still excited over the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win, but there is another monumental sporting event to also get fired up for that begins at the end of this week: the… continue reading Local Athletes Competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics
By written by Administrator February 6, 2018 2
Back in September, the city of Philadelphia unveiled the first new statue at City Hall since 1923 and the first of an African American on any city-owned public property – that of… continue reading #BlackHistoryMonth: Celebrating The Life Of Octavius Catto
By written by Kate C. February 5, 2018 2
The Fish It all started with the fish. Like salmon, shad are born in fresh water, spend several years growing in the ocean, then return to their birthplace to spawn. The largest breeding… continue reading A History Minute: Neighborhood Beginnings - Fishtown
By written by Sally F. January 10, 2018 2
The beloved Parkway Central Library, celebrating its 90th birthday this year, is a defining building in our city. It seems natural that the Free Library of Philadelphia’s flagship location… continue reading Celebrate the City’s Beaux Arts Bonafides
By written by Julie B. December 4, 2017 1