Library Company of Philadelphia - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Ashley Morrison

The library has many interesting paintings, portraits, and old books that were made my Benjamin Franklin and other famous writers in the 18th century. It was very quiet and peaceful which I liked. The employees were nice and helpful. The library is a library and an exhibit which was a surprise to me since I love historical exhibits. The exhibit is small but full of historical Philadelphia books and arts. I would recommend anyone to go there to visit, but the employees want your proof of vaccination.

Anwar M Hossain

The Library Company of Philadelphia is a historic library founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731. It’s the oldest cultural institution in the U.S. and is open to the public at 1314 Locust St. The library houses a rich collection of rare books, manuscripts, and art from the 17th to the 19th centuries. It also served as the Library of Congress during the Revolutionary War. Today, it supports research and education with its extensive resources.

Carla Cosper

This is a research facility with a focus in preserving the legacy of Philadelphia. I visited to research my great grandfather's photography. He was a photographer in the late 1880 and early 1900's. He took the first known photographs of lightning.

Masaki Matsubayashi

アメリカの建国の父の一人であるBenjamin Franklinが創設した会員制図書館として著名で、アメリカの公共図書館の原点でもある図書館。建国の父たちの50数名のうちの29名がこの図書館の会員であった。
19世紀では、一時期フィラデルフィアの公共図書館としても活躍した時期もあったが、本来の研究図書館として再出発し、アメリカ大陸で出版された稀覯本コレクションであるAmericanaの収集図書館として現在も機能している。コレクションの中には、巨大な乾板写真原版も保存されているので、その再現写真が展示されていて、現代の写真よりも迫力のある写真に圧倒された記憶がある。
研究者として利用するにはフェロー制度が確立しているので、事前に調査して照会し、利用することが前提である。

Tracy Brant

Fascinating place. I only visited briefly for an event, but I plan to go back. Palpable sense of almost 300 years of Philadelphia history, but history that is still happening, not just an exhibit. They talk about Benjamin Franklin like he's a personal acquaintance. It's a museum, a library, a still-functioning Enlightenment Era club for book nerds and polymaths that like to talk.

The entrance is ADA accessible, but I did not check the restrooms or ask about an elevator to collections on other floors. I will update the accessibility details after another visit.

Jeffrey Brozoskie

So much history in Philadelphia to see. What a beautiful place to visit. took my family to this area and there was so much for everybody. looks like Philadelphia is doing a very good job keeping up with the covid-19 regulations we felt very safe our entire visit. Keep up the good work Philadelphia enjoy your visit and will be back.

Andrew Coates

The Library Company is an archive that holds one of the most important collections of early American print culture in the entire country. An absolute must on the bucket list for any serious student of U.S. history.

Jacob Scervino

I don't know why people are leaving negative reviews so I thought I'd just leave one to boost the rating on google because I like Benjamin Franklin and this place is cool