Philadelphia has been a major center of international commerce for over 300 years. Even today, with major port complexes serving major metropolitan centers throughout the country, Philadelphia and… continue reading

By Sally F.   March 28, 2019    2

Can you name five women artists off the top of your head? (Not counting Frida Kahlo or Georgia O’Keeffe.) Try. Surprised if you can’t? Don’t be. It happens. But let us help… continue reading

By Karen K.   March 8, 2019   

Long ago, Philadelphians had the opportunity to escape the congestion of the city by ferrying to two islands in the middle of the Delaware River, across from what is now Penn’s Landing.… continue reading

By Megan M.   January 22, 2019   

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

By Janine P.   October 9, 2018   

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

By Laura S.   May 31, 2018    2

William Penn was a dreamer. Like many attracted to the New World, he was a member of a persecuted religious minority—the Quakers. But unlike the Puritans and Catholics who founded religious… continue reading

By Sally F.   March 16, 2018   

Now on view at the Rosenbach,  Of Two Minds: Creative Couples in Art & History   showcases the creations of romantic couples who inspired, instructed, or even assisted one another in… continue reading

By Sara D.   March 8, 2018   

Do you send out greeting cards around the holiday season? Families have been writing "Christmas Letters" for hundreds of years, but the commercially produced Christmas card is a little… continue reading

By Caitlin G.   December 8, 2017   

In the autumn of 2016, we were tasked with a fascinating challenge: create a bold and welcoming exhibition that would discuss the history of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. On the surface, this… continue reading

By Laura S.   September 8, 2017   

The Print and Picture Collection (PIX) in Parkway Central Library is home to diverse collections of fine art prints, photographs, drawings, and artists’ books, as well as extensive research… continue reading

By Laura S.   April 13, 2017   

Katherine Milhous (1894-1977) wore many hats in her time: a supervisor for the Federal Art Project ; an artist for the Pennsylvania Art Project (a subsidiary of the Federal Art Project, which… continue reading

By Chris B.   April 7, 2017   

The Free Library of Philadelphia has digitized over 41,000 items from our extensive collections and is constantly adding more every day. Current collections include Charles Dickens , the Fine Arts… continue reading

By Victoria G.   March 6, 2017    1

The Print and Picture Collection is happy to announce the addition of over 100 photographic images by William Rapp to our  Historical Images of Philadelphia  digital… continue reading

By Laura S.   August 29, 2016   

Cat lovers and bird lovers unite! While cats and birds have a contentious relationship in nature, images of them have been living harmoniously side-by-side in the Free Library of… continue reading

By Laura S.   May 16, 2016    2

The Print and Picture Collection is pleased to announce a new exhibtion in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway Gallery. The exhibition, Joel Katz and Jackie Neale , features… continue reading

By Laura S.   March 14, 2016   

The Print and Picture Collection is pleased to announce a new exhibition in the Print and Picture Collection Hallway Gallery. The exhibition,  Gerard Brown and Amanda D'Amico , features… continue reading

By Laura S.   January 12, 2016   

2015 marks the 100th anniversary of The Print Center , and organizations citywide, including the Free Library of Philadelphia Print and Picture Collection , are joining in the celebration. The… continue reading

By Laura S.   November 10, 2015   

Calling all creatives and burgeoning photographers! On Friday, October 9, 2015, the 6th Annual Philly Photo Day will celebrate photography as an art form, with the Greater Philadelphia region as… continue reading

By Laura S.   September 29, 2015    1

Philadelphia in the early 19th century was known as the “Athens of America.” Prominent city residents had established scholarly societies, libraries, schools, theatres, and museums;… continue reading

By Karen L.   September 16, 2015   

Swap: Four Years of Exchange at Second State Press, a new exhibition in the 2nd floor West Gallery. September 14 – November 20, 2015. Second State Press is a nonprofit communal printmaking… continue reading

By Karen L.   September 15, 2015