The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

In 1814, the 139 founding members of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia came together to create a new private library. Many were members of Benjamin Franklin’s Library Company (founded in 1731), but their institution would be somewhat different: with longer hours and a wider selection of periodicals—geared to the interests and needs of merchants and other men of business. 

Its charter, approved by the state in 1815, declared that the Athenaeum was created for “The purpose of procuring newspapers, pamphlets, books, maps, charts, and of collecting historical and other monuments connected with the history and antiquities of America and the useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful knowledge.''  While not a public library—an institution not yet invented, the Athenaeum was public in its purpose.

For most of its first decades, the new library was a tenant of the Philosophical Society, but in the 1830s it began to scout locations and consult with architects on the design of a home of its own. A site was purchased on Washington Square in 1843, setting off an informal competition, with many of Philadelphia’s most prominent architects submitting proposals. The selection fell on the Scottish-born John Notman (1810-1865), whose architectural star was fast rising. 

Notman designed a building that broke many of Philadelphia’s architectural conventions. A small version of an Italian Renaissance palazzo, with details inspired by the Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne in Rome (1532–1536), the historical fidelity of the library set it apart from the old-fashioned, homegrown classicism of its original Washington Square neighbors. Its brownstone facades also stood out in the largely brick city.

In making this design, Notman would have been familiar with the “Renaissance Revival” that had been launched in England. Its well-publicized examples included the London clubhouses designed by Charles Barry: the Travelers’ Club (1826-1932) and the Reform Club (1837-1841)

Inside the Athenaeum, Notman’s ground floor was designed to be subdivided and rented out to businesses. A great skylit stair conducted library members up to two sunny reading rooms on the second floor. The newspaper room was in the front, looking out onto the square, with a larger general reading room in the rear. With scagliola (faux marble) pilasters and columns and faux mahogany doors, these are among the most sumptuous interiors in the city. 

Until the mid-twentieth century, the third floor, like the ground floor, was leased to compatible tenants. These included the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the American Institute of Architects (whose room was decorated by Frank Furness), the American Catholic Historical Society, the National Education Association, and the Philadelphia Maritime Museum (now Independence Seaport Museum).

LOCATION 
219 S. 6th Street 
Philadelphia, PA 19106 
(East side of Washington Square below Walnut St.) 
View in Google Maps

HOURS OF OPERATION 
Monday 9:00-7:00 
Tuesday 9:00-5:00 
Wednesday 10:00-5:00 
Thursday 9:00-5:00 
Friday 9:00-5:00 
Saturday 10:00-3:00

The Athenaeum is closed in observance of the following holidays: 
New Year’s Day • Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Presidents’ Day • Good Friday • Memorial Day • Juneteenth • Independence Day • Labor Day • Thanksgiving • Christmas