Posts in “rare-book-department” (71)
For the past 25 years, America’s birthplace (Philly, of course!) has celebrated America’s birthday (July 4, of course!) with Wawa Welcome America – a multi-day festival of FREE… continue reading
By Kate C. June 19, 2018
When I first found out that we had a James Bond collection in the Rare Book Department , I was so surprised. James Bond amongst medieval manuscripts and cuneiform tablets—how the heck did… continue reading
By Karen K. May 16, 2018 3
Throughout Spring and Summer, every corner of the Free Library of Philadelphia will be taking inspiration from In Our Nature: Flora and Fauna of the Americas - an exhibition taking place in our… continue reading
By Adam F. March 27, 2018 3
The Free Library's Rare Book Department prides itself on making historical and beatiful artifacts available to the general public. An award of $500,000 from the Council on Library and… continue reading
By Julie B. January 11, 2018 4
Ferdinand never wanted to be a fighting bull, so he's right at home here in the Free Library... John Cena stars as the big-hearted bull in the animated adaptation opening in theaters… continue reading
By Caitlin G. December 15, 2017
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
Come join us in the Rare Book Department for our newest exhibition, where you will discover a world of books big, small, round, long, clay, flat, wearable, and more! As you make your way through… continue reading
By Grace D. November 2, 2017
Earlier this week, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden made a whirlwind visit to the Rosenbach and the Parkway Central Library , and we couldn't have been more thrilled to have her! On her… continue reading
By Sandy H. September 22, 2017 1
The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is celebrating its 100th birthday ! Come celebrate with the Parkway Central Library and our Parkway neighbors ! The centennial celebration will kick off on Friday,… continue reading
By Julie B. September 5, 2017 1
We like to celebrate Beatrix Potter every day here in the Rare Book Department , but today is her 151st birthday, so it's extra-special. You probably remember Peter Rabbit and his… continue reading
By Caitlin G. July 28, 2017 1
Much has been written in academic journals about the need to increase access to special collections in public libraries, museums, and universities. This topic is particularly relevant to the … continue reading
By Joe S. May 5, 2017
We all know Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia's everyman. Poor Richard . Diplomat of the Revolution . Inventor of the Glass Harmonica . Postmaster General . Guy Who Flew A Kite in a… continue reading
By Caitlin G. April 28, 2017
Move over, London! England’s capital city may count Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot among its resident gumshoes, but only Philadelphia can be called the true birthplace of the modern… continue reading
By Alix G. April 10, 2017 2
Do you love The Da Vinci Code ? Have you ever wished you could uncover a secret code in a medieval manuscript? Exciting news! Your wish may come true! Take a look at the image of a 15th-century… continue reading
By Diane B. March 9, 2017
The Rare Book Department 's Judaica includes a beautifully written and lavishly hand-decorated Spanish Hebrew Masoretic Text bible . Commissioned in 1496 in Lisbon, Portugal, the book is… continue reading
By Caitlin G. February 24, 2017
His wasn’t an auspicious beginning and his end remains shrouded in mystery... 208 years ago today, Edgar Allan Poe was born to actors David Poe Jr. and Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe, in… continue reading
By Allison F. January 19, 2017 1
Philadelphia is a wild and weird city. There’s so much to love, to hate, to love to hate, and to hate to love. There’s also so much that we, as every day Philadelphians, have somehow… continue reading
By Sarah M. January 5, 2017
This One Book, One Philadelphia season takes us back in time to the Civil War era, as we travel and travail alongside fictional southerners Inman and Ada in Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain .… continue reading
By Kathy H. January 20, 2016
To celebrate the landmark papal visit to Philadelphia, the Rare Book Department at Parkway Central Library has opened a new exhibition of rare religious texts. Running through January 30,… continue reading
By Janine P. August 31, 2015
Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. It is a day of feasting and rejoicing, commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate… continue reading
By Joe S. March 4, 2015