Athenaeum. Cool word. Cooler building.
The Providence Athenaeum is the United States’ third oldest subscription library. It was founded in 1753, 23 years before the Declaration of Independence, but 22 years after Ben Franklin founded one in Philly.
Philly wins!
But it isn’t a contest. There is just something about bookshelves that require ladders and wooden desk chairs.
They make you want to be there.
