American Philosophical Society

Address: 104 S 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106

Neighborhood: Independence Hall

Website: www.amphilsoc.org

Social Media:

Instagram and Twitter - @amphilsociety

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/americanphilosophicalsociety/

Contact: 215-440-3440

Description: Since 1789 this two-story late-Georgian brick building has housed America’s oldest learned society. The organization traces its origins to 1743, when Benjamin Franklin publicly urged the creation of an institution to stimulate interest in learning and useful knowledge. Today, Philosophical Hall is the location ofthe Society’s executive offices and museum gallery.  Over the years the Society has counted America’s intellectual elite among its members. Thomas Jefferson was one, and at his urging, the records of the Lewis and Clark Expedition are preserved in the Society’s Library, across the street.. The Society’s journal, Proceedings, isthe country’s longest-running scholarly publication.

Resources for Researchers & Educators

Information for Visitors

Subthemes

  • First in the nation – Philadelphia’s “firsts”
  • Scientific explorations – science, medicine, health
  • Business of life – stories of daily life, business, industry, commerce
  • Changemakers – social reform, racial justice, political movements

Link to NHL Nomination Form