“In Franklin’s Footsteps” highlights the groundbreaking work of APS Members and the innovations they have made that changed the world. Continue reading
Category: free
1968 in Pennsylvania – Multi-day Exhibit, 2018
Historical documents from HSP illustrate how 1968 stands as an icon, representing the upheaval of the 1960s and early 1970s. See how national movements for women, African Americans, children and poor people were influenced by and conducted in Pennsylvania. Continue reading
Opening Reception and Behind the Scenes Tour – October 3, 2018
Join us for the opening of our new exhibit “The Spanish Lady in the City of Brotherly Love: The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919.” Continue reading
Othmer Library Open House: Escape the Archives – October 4, 2018
For one-night only, browse treasures from the Othmer Library’s collections and hone your skills in archival detective work at the Othmer Library Open House: Escape the Archives! Continue reading
Quaker Cookie Face-Off – October 5, 2018
Animal Cracker v. Meringue: which cookie is more ʺQuakerʺ? Continue reading
Night of Lights – October 5th, 2018
This innovative public art exhibit will transform Chestnut Hill’s familiar commercial corridor into an interactive exhibit of local history and architecture. Continue reading
Transitions in Northeast Philadelphia History – October 7, 2018
The Historical Society of Frankford’s event is a free-form conference of members and friends of the Society who have researched various aspects of Northeast Philadelphia history and can bring the lore to bear in explaining the importance of maps, deeds, prints, and other documents from our special collections, plus a few items from our museum. The public is cordially invited to come, enjoy the occasion, and interact with the featured researchers.
Before Hollywood: Philadelphia and the Birth of the Movies – October 8, 2018
A documentary about Philadelphia’s role in the invention of photography and motion pictures. Join History Making Productions for this free screening at PhillyCAM on October 8th at 6:30pm.
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From Oyntments & Salves to Kotex & Pills – October 9, 2018
Please join the Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia for a special pop-up exhibit, “From Oyntments & Salves to Kotex & Pills.” Continue reading
Drinks in the Archives – October 10, 2018
Join us for an evening filled with fancy menus, the history of brewing and wine making, and recipes for non-alcoholic botanicals and teas – all based on drinks in the archives!
Monmouth County Archives Week – October 13, 2018, and more all month long
Archives & History Day, a history expo with more than 60 organizations participating, plus other days with lectures and a feature film.
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Second Saturday at Founder’s Hall – October 13, 2018
Come behind the wall and find out more about one of Philadelphia’s richest and most influential citizens and the legacy of the unique school he founded. Continue reading
Defying Convention: Audacious Women in the Kislak Center Collections – October 16, 2018
The Special Collections Processing Center reveals written and visual accounts of extraordinary, independent women who were determined to forge their own paths–we welcome you for a one evening show-and-tell to see our rare books and manuscripts chronicling the exploits and adventures of these extraordinary women. Continue reading
Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon – October 17, 2018
The 2018 Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon will showcase glass lantern slides from the special collections of several Philadelphia institutions projected from an historic lantern projector in the Wagner’s Victorian-era lecture hall. In the spirit of lantern exhibition culture, this salon will bring together unique and rarely-seen images presented in the context for which they were originally created.
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“Ethyl is not a Lady”: The Faces of Temperance, 1800-1960 – October 19, 2018
Come to the Presbyterian Historical Society for a one-night-only display of temperance items from the collection. Continue reading
Mother Bethel AME: A Closed-Stacks Tour – October 21, 2018
Join Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and the African American Museum in Philadelphia on a special tour of Mother Bethel’s landmark church building, museum, and special collections led by church archivist and educator Margaret Jerrido. Continue reading
#AnimatedArchive – Every Wednesday throughout October 2018
#AnimatedArchive is a social media challenge to post GIFs of library collections every Wednesday of October. Show how special collections can transform using technology and social media, and be sure to use the hashtags: #AnimatedArchive and #ArchivesPHL in your posts. Continue reading
It Came from the Archives – October 24, 2018
In celebration of Archives Month, join us for a screening of short films from Philadelphia’s most fascinating archives and libraries.
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The Union League: Monuments and More – October 25, 2018
Join us for a curator’s tour of the upcoming monuments exhibit, a tour of the League house, and displays from the collection. Continue reading
Because Your History Matters: LGBTQ Community Digitizing Day – October 27, 2018
All welcome, with a focus on women, people of color, and trans folk! Continue reading
Curious Revolutionaries: The Peales of Philadelphia – Multi-day exhibit, 2017
An exhibition about the Peale family’s role in shaping early American public culture through innovations in art, science, and technology. Continue reading
Deprived of the Use of their Reason: Quakerism & the Curability of Mental Illness at Friends’ Asylum, 1817–1867 – Multi-day, 2017
This exhibit traces the history of the first private mental institution in the United States. Continue reading
Where is the Penn Treaty Elm? – Multi-Day Exhibit, 2017
This exhibit explores the myth and history of the Penn Treaty Elm from the time of the treaty to the present day. Continue reading
Things Fall Apart – Multi-day, 2017
An exhibition and walking tour exploring the life and afterlife of things. Continue reading
Tour of Founder’s Hall, Girard College – October 5, 2017
Check out what’s behind the wall at Girard College and explore treasures ranging from a letter from President Monroe asking for a loan to records of school dining hall cuisine. Continue reading
Opening Reception and Curator Talk: Where is the Penn Treaty Elm – October 10, 2017
Hear the curators of this exhibit discuss their ideas and process. Continue reading
Othmer Library Open House: Back to School Night – October 11, 2017
For one-night only, discover how STEM education has changed over the centuries as the Othmer Library of Chemical History opens its vaults for American Archives Month! Continue reading
Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon – October 12, 2017
The 2017 Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon will showcase glass lantern slides from the special collections of several Philadelphia institutions projected from an historic lantern projector in the Wagner’s Victorian-era lecture hall. Continue reading
Monmouth County Archives Week – October 14, 2017, and more all month long
Archives & History Day, a history expo with more than 60 organizations participating, plus other days with lectures and a feature film.
Continue reading
Philly History Quizzo – October 16, 2017
Think you know Philadelphia history? Test your knowledge of the City of Brotherly Love in this special pub quiz organized by the Delaware Valley Archivists Group and the Philadelphia History Museum. Questions plumbed from the annals of our city’s past by your friendly local archivists will challenge you to recall the people, places, and events that make Philadelphia unique. Continue reading
Behind the Scenes – October 17, 2017
Come see the invisible sights and unheard sounds of the moments before the big moments … before the counter-attack is launched, the play performed, an execution ordered, a new bestseller published. Continue reading
Presbyterian Historical Society Open House – October 20, 2017
See curios and oddities from the collection, view the “Presbyterians and the American Revolution” exhibit, and take a behind-the-scenes tour! Continue reading
Swarthmore Transcribathon – October 25, 2017
An afternoon of hands-on history where you can learn to read old hand writing and see what people in the past really had to say. Continue reading
Animals in the Archives – October 25, 2017
Join us for an evening filled with temporary tattoos, origami, a library-wide scavenger hunt, and more – all based on animals from the archives!
Hagley Film Screening and Open House – October 28, 2017
A screening of rarely seen commercials and films from Hagley’s audiovisual collections, plus specially selected materials from our library and archival collections. Continue reading
Something’s Brewing: History of the Gay & Lesbian Coffeehouse of Philadelphia – Multi-day exhibit, 2016
For over a decade—at multiple locations and in several guises—the Gay and Lesbian Coffeehouse of Philadelphia served as a welcoming and inspiring anchor for LGBT community life in Philadelphia. Continue reading
“Sweep the Country: Political Conventions in Philadelphia” – Multi-day Exhibit, 2016
“Sweep the Country: Political Conventions in Philadelphia” is presented in partnership with the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, and covers the 12 political conventions held in Philadelphia between 1848 and 2016.
All the Presidents’ Flowers: Plants and Flowers for Presidents and First Ladies – Multi-day Exhibit, 2016
This exhibit of archival photographs and nursery catalogs from the library’s collections, features plants named in honor of U. S. presidents and first ladies, and also reflects aspects of the garden history of the White House, with some Philadelphia connections.
Common Touch: The Art of the Senses in the History of the Blind – Multi-day Exhibit, 2016
Common Touch: The Art of the Senses in the History of the Blind is a multimedia exhibition that looks at historical embossed and raised-letter documents for the visually impaired as a starting point for a multi-sensory exploration of the nature of perception.
Monmouth County Archives Week – October 4-8, 2016
Seminars, archives tour, movies, history organization expo, awards, raffle Continue reading
Fresh Air Archives Event – October 6, 2016
Join us for a Wikipedia event and a tour and talk on the Archives.
Hagley Library Open House – October 8, 2016
Selection of materials on display and a behind the scenes tour!
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Building Tour and Curator’s Look of “Sweep the Country: Political Conventions in Philadelphia” – October 10, 2016
Join us for a tour of the Union League and a curatorial discussion of “Sweep the Country: Political Conventions in Philadelphia,” on display in The Heritage Center of The Union League of Philadelphia.
Exposed: Philadelphia Physicians in Photographs – October 11, 2016
The Library will be displaying highlights from its rarely shown collection of photographs featuring physicians, patients, and all things medicine in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon – October 13, 2016
The 2016 Philadelphia Lantern Slide Salon will showcase glass lantern slides from the special collections of several Philadelphia institutions projected from an historic lantern projector in the Wagner’s Victorian-era lecture hall. Continue reading
Translating Across Time and Space: Endangered Languages, Cultural Revitalization, and the Work of History Symposium – October 13-15, 2016
“Translating Across Time and Space” will explore the ways archival collections and scholarly fieldwork help preserve and revitalize linguistic and cultural practices in indigenous communities throughout North America.
Collection Curios and Oddities – October 14, 2016
Visit our open house and see some of our favorite known unknowns. Continue reading
Philly History Quizzo – October 18, 2016
Think you know Philadelphia history? Test your knowledge of the City of Brotherly Love in this special pub quiz organized by the Delaware Valley Archivists Group. Questions plumbed from the annals of our city’s past by your friendly local archivists will challenge you to recall the people, places, and events that make Philadelphia unique. Continue reading
Redemptorist Archives Evening Lecture and Open House – October 19, 2016
Visit the newly constructed Redemptorist Archives during its open house and hear an evening lecture by a local historian on the value of religious archives. Continue reading
Othmer Library Open House: The Golden Age of Science Advertising – October 20, 2016
For one night only, discover hidden treasures from the Othmer Library of Chemical History as we open our vaults in celebration of American Archives Month!
