Library Company of Philadelphia

The Library Company of Philadelphia houses 500,000 books and 70,000 additional items, including manuscripts, maps, and rare printed materials from colonial times.

Benjamin Franklin established this subscription-based library in 1731 with fifty members who contributed forty shillings each to purchase books from England.

The institution maintains first editions of notable American literature works and serves researchers studying early American history through its extensive manuscript collections.

Researchers need advance appointments to access materials at 1314 Locust Street, where the reading room operates Monday through Friday.

The collection contains 2,150 items that belonged to Benjamin Franklin, including his personal annotations and correspondence with colonial-era intellectuals.

Location: Pennsylvania

Address: 1314 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107 19102

Phone: +12155463181

Website: http://librarycompany.org

GPS coordinates: 39.94789,-75.16317

Latest update: May 27, 2025 11:28