Perhaps you are smarter and more informed than I, we can have that argument later, but while walking with my wife through Washington Square one evening I came across a word I had never heard before.
Athenaeum founded 1814.
It was inscribed on a bronze plaque with no other explanations. Intriguing.
Athenaeum of Philadelphia
I had lived most of my life just calling the library “the library”, till arriving in Philly when with a snicker I read every sign that read “Free library”. I never knew any other kind. Till now.
Apparently the word means a place where printed materials are kept, available for reading. Turns out this private circulation library is open to the public 9-5 Mon-Fri.
Staircase to the stacks.
You must buy a membership to check out a book, and they say there is a members only reading room, but any old person, like me, can stroll right into this room.
main reading room
If I make an appointment I can do research here.
research room
I didn’t read a thing on this trip, I just strolled around being a creep with my iPhone.
in the chess room
While I may not be the best, I enjoy a game of chess. I am horrible playing chess with friends, better in the park, I have no idea how good I am here but i intend to find out.
chess room
Why have I never heard of this place? I am not all knowing but I believe I am slightly more informed about this city than the average Joe; so how did I miss this all these years?
Stacks in the research room
It was some years ago that in like fashion I discovered Philly’s civil war museum complete with Honest Abe’s death mask. I found this one slightly more interesting. I’m not sure why, but seriously, how did I miss this?
Death mask from Napoleon
