The Athenaeum of Philadelphia: Historic Library

This special collections library was founded in 1814 to preserve and collect materials about antiquities, design and art in America. Scholars, students, architects, designers, history buffs, and curators avail themselves of these materials in the Athenaeum’s elegant reading rooms. Situated in an 1845 Italianate Revival brownstone building, the interiors are lushly designed, with vaulted ceilings and beautiful embellishments. A small bookstore features inventory on corresponding subjects. Open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.