The Library Company of Philadelphia – America's oldest cultural institution, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731.
Source: http://www.librarycompany.org
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:35
The Library Company of Philadelphia – America's oldest cultural institution, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1731.
Jessica Roney Appointed Director Designate of the Library Company of Philadelphia
Click to read more
Appointments are required to conduct research in our reading rooms.
Book an Appointment For the Scheide Reading Room
Book an Appointment For the Graphic Arts Department Reading Room
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Upcoming Events
Current Month
May
01
may
11:00 am
12:00 pm
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
TOUR
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, May 1st at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, May 1st at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a guided tour of the Library Company’s first-floor exhibition galleries. Learn more about the history of the de facto first Library of Congress and oldest colonial cultural institution in the United States. Guests will also learn more about art and artifacts on display in the Logan Room, and as well as hear about the collection materials showcased in our rotating exhibition space.
Space is limited, so please sign up for only one tour time per person. Tickets are available for all First Fridays from May 1st through October 2nd, 2026.
REGISTER
more
Time
May 1, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
(GMT-04:00)
13
may
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
Fireside Chat: Meet the Director Designate of the Library Company: Dr. Jessica Choppin Roney
Free
Event Details
May Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat: Meet the Director Designate
Event Details
May Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat: Meet the Director Designate of the Library Company: Dr. Jessica Choppin Roney
REGISTER
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 7
PM ET
The Library Company is in the midst of big changes, not least the appointment of the first woman to lead the institution in its nearly 300-year history. This event is intended to introduce Jessica Choppin Roney, currently Director Designate, and later to be Director of the Library Company after our merger with Temple University. Join us for a conversation with her hosted by Maria Thompson, president of the Board of Trustees at the Library Company.
Dr. Roney is Associate Professor of History at Temple University and the author of
Governed by a Spirit of Opposition: The Origins of American Political Practice in Colonial Philadelphia
and the recent article, “‘An Expansion of the Same Society’: Republican Government and Empire in the Early Republic,” in the
Journal of American History
, both of which won prizes. She has served as the Director of the Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) at the Library Company since 2024. Before that she was on the editorial staff of the
Journal of the Early Republic
from 2017 to 2024. Her work has been supported with fellowships from the McNeil Center for Early American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, the American Philosophical Society, the Clements Library, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Filson Historical Society, the Arts and Humanities Research Council in Britain, the Ohio Academy of History, Ohio University, Temple University, and, of course!, the Library Company of Philadelphia. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
more
Time
May 13, 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
(GMT-04:00)
19
may
5:15 pm
7:15 pm
2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Shareholder Event
Event Details
2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Shareholders Only
Event Details
2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Shareholders Only
REGISTER
Tuesday, May 19th | 5:15 pm | Hybrid
Shareholders Only
Meet and mingle with other shareholders, trustees, and staff as we elect our Board of Trustees and share updates about the institution’s work over the last year. Shareholder proxy information will be available by April 17, 2026. Stay tuned for an email and mailed packet.
Following the business meeting, join us for a closer look at the Library Company’s new exhibition,
Philadelphia’s Radical Revolution
, which explores the dramatic shifts that Philadelphians endured during the era of the American Revolution.
Director Designate Jessica Choppin Roney and Rider University Professor of History Aaron Sullivan will discuss how the era’s political transformations, from disaffection to radicalism to moderation, impacted city residents.
Reception to follow.
more
Time
May 19, 2026 5:15 pm - 7:15 pm
(GMT-04:00)
June
05
jun
11:00 am
12:00 pm
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
TOUR
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, June 5th at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, June 5th at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a guided tour of the Library Company’s first-floor exhibition galleries. Learn more about the history of the de facto first Library of Congress and oldest colonial cultural institution in the United States. Guests will also learn more about art and artifacts on display in the Logan Room, and as well as hear about the collection materials showcased in our rotating exhibition space.
Space is limited, so please sign up for only one tour time per person. Tickets are available for all First Fridays from May 1st through October 2nd, 2026.
REGISTER
more
Time
June 5, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
(GMT-04:00)
More upcoming events
here
.
Library Company Announces Plans for Semiquincentennial
The Library Company of Philadelphia
, founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, opened its collections to the delegates to the First Continental Congress in September 1774. At the time, its collections held virtually every significant work of political theory, history, law, and statecraft to be found in the American colonies. That privilege was extended to delegates to subsequent Congresses, the Constitutional Convention, and the early Federal Congresses while Philadelphia was the national capital until 1800. This heritage as the first, though unofficial, Library of Congress places the Library Company in a unique position to shed light on the Revolutionary era. Plans for the Semiquincentennial center on two exhibitions.
Read More
Appointments are now required to access the Scheide reading room and the Graphic Arts Department reading room.
For text materials (Scheide reading room), appointments are required.
Click here
to learn more.
For visual materials (Graphic Arts Department reading room), appointments are required.
Click here
to learn how to make an appointment.
Join Our Mailing List!
Thank you for joining the The Library Company of Philadelphia mailing list. We look forward to keeping you informed.
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email.
Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Click here to read our Privacy Policy
Current Exhibitions
Current Month
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Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
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Jessica Roney Appointed Director Designate of the Library Company of Philadelphia
Click to read more
Appointments are required to conduct research in our reading rooms.
Book an Appointment For the Scheide Reading Room
Book an Appointment For the Graphic Arts Department Reading Room
Previous
Next
1
2
3
4
5
Visit
Explore
Donate
For Scholars
For Educators
Upcoming Events
Current Month
May
01
may
11:00 am
12:00 pm
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
TOUR
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, May 1st at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, May 1st at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a guided tour of the Library Company’s first-floor exhibition galleries. Learn more about the history of the de facto first Library of Congress and oldest colonial cultural institution in the United States. Guests will also learn more about art and artifacts on display in the Logan Room, and as well as hear about the collection materials showcased in our rotating exhibition space.
Space is limited, so please sign up for only one tour time per person. Tickets are available for all First Fridays from May 1st through October 2nd, 2026.
REGISTER
more
Time
May 1, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
(GMT-04:00)
13
may
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
Fireside Chat: Meet the Director Designate of the Library Company: Dr. Jessica Choppin Roney
Free
Event Details
May Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat: Meet the Director Designate
Event Details
May Fireside Chat
Fireside Chat: Meet the Director Designate of the Library Company: Dr. Jessica Choppin Roney
REGISTER
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 7
PM ET
The Library Company is in the midst of big changes, not least the appointment of the first woman to lead the institution in its nearly 300-year history. This event is intended to introduce Jessica Choppin Roney, currently Director Designate, and later to be Director of the Library Company after our merger with Temple University. Join us for a conversation with her hosted by Maria Thompson, president of the Board of Trustees at the Library Company.
Dr. Roney is Associate Professor of History at Temple University and the author of
Governed by a Spirit of Opposition: The Origins of American Political Practice in Colonial Philadelphia
and the recent article, “‘An Expansion of the Same Society’: Republican Government and Empire in the Early Republic,” in the
Journal of American History
, both of which won prizes. She has served as the Director of the Program in Early American Economy and Society (PEAES) at the Library Company since 2024. Before that she was on the editorial staff of the
Journal of the Early Republic
from 2017 to 2024. Her work has been supported with fellowships from the McNeil Center for Early American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, the American Philosophical Society, the Clements Library, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Filson Historical Society, the Arts and Humanities Research Council in Britain, the Ohio Academy of History, Ohio University, Temple University, and, of course!, the Library Company of Philadelphia. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
more
Time
May 13, 2026 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
(GMT-04:00)
19
may
5:15 pm
7:15 pm
2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Shareholder Event
Event Details
2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Shareholders Only
Event Details
2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting
Shareholders Only
REGISTER
Tuesday, May 19th | 5:15 pm | Hybrid
Shareholders Only
Meet and mingle with other shareholders, trustees, and staff as we elect our Board of Trustees and share updates about the institution’s work over the last year. Shareholder proxy information will be available by April 17, 2026. Stay tuned for an email and mailed packet.
Following the business meeting, join us for a closer look at the Library Company’s new exhibition,
Philadelphia’s Radical Revolution
, which explores the dramatic shifts that Philadelphians endured during the era of the American Revolution.
Director Designate Jessica Choppin Roney and Rider University Professor of History Aaron Sullivan will discuss how the era’s political transformations, from disaffection to radicalism to moderation, impacted city residents.
Reception to follow.
more
Time
May 19, 2026 5:15 pm - 7:15 pm
(GMT-04:00)
June
05
jun
11:00 am
12:00 pm
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
TOUR
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, June 5th at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a
Event Details
Library Company History & Exhibitions Tour
Friday, June 5th at 11:00 AM
In-Person Event
Join us for a guided tour of the Library Company’s first-floor exhibition galleries. Learn more about the history of the de facto first Library of Congress and oldest colonial cultural institution in the United States. Guests will also learn more about art and artifacts on display in the Logan Room, and as well as hear about the collection materials showcased in our rotating exhibition space.
Space is limited, so please sign up for only one tour time per person. Tickets are available for all First Fridays from May 1st through October 2nd, 2026.
REGISTER
more
Time
June 5, 2026 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
(GMT-04:00)
More upcoming events
here
.
Library Company Announces Plans for Semiquincentennial
The Library Company of Philadelphia
, founded in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin, opened its collections to the delegates to the First Continental Congress in September 1774. At the time, its collections held virtually every significant work of political theory, history, law, and statecraft to be found in the American colonies. That privilege was extended to delegates to subsequent Congresses, the Constitutional Convention, and the early Federal Congresses while Philadelphia was the national capital until 1800. This heritage as the first, though unofficial, Library of Congress places the Library Company in a unique position to shed light on the Revolutionary era. Plans for the Semiquincentennial center on two exhibitions.
Read More
Appointments are now required to access the Scheide reading room and the Graphic Arts Department reading room.
For text materials (Scheide reading room), appointments are required.
Click here
to learn more.
For visual materials (Graphic Arts Department reading room), appointments are required.
Click here
to learn how to make an appointment.
Join Our Mailing List!
Thank you for joining the The Library Company of Philadelphia mailing list. We look forward to keeping you informed.
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email.
Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Click here to read our Privacy Policy
Current Exhibitions
Current Month
April
No Events
Scroll to top
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
OK
Learn more
Cookie and Privacy Settings
How we use cookies
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab.
Click to enable/disable essential site cookies.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking.
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Click to enable/disable Google Webfonts.
Google Map Settings:
Click to enable/disable Google Maps.
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha.
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Click to enable/disable video embeds.
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie.
Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie.
Click to enable/disable _gat_* - Google Analytics Cookie.
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