#TBT to Broad Street, Philadelphia in May of 1917, less than a block from the Library Company’s current location on Locust Street. The city doesn’t look too different from this vantage point today, except the cars and that the top of City Hall tower is actually lighter than the rest of the building (after a good cleaning of course).

Rau, William Herman, 1855-1920, photographer. Broad St. looking North from Locust St., Flag Day, May 9, 1917. 1 photograph: gelatin silver (8 X 10 in.)

#tbt to the horse drawn Philadelphia street car. 

This street car traveled on Ridge Ave and probably what we know now as Kelly and Lincoln drives adjacent to the Schuylkill River and through Wissahickon Creek Park, also visiting Girard College in Brewerytown.  

Street cars, Philadelphia. [graphic]. London : The London Stereoscopic Compy  [ca. 1865] 1 photographic print : albumen on stereograph mount ; 8 x 17 cm. (3.25 x 6.75 in.)

#TBT to light traffic on the Delaware River Bridge aka the Ben Franklin Bridge. 1. Open top buses are always fun. 2. Foot traffic on the main part of the bridge is dangerous. 

This postcard is one of a series showing the bridge from our George M. Brightbill postcard collection. 

Brightbill, George M., collector. Benjamin Franklin Bridge postcards. 1920-1930. 1 photomechanical print,  9 x 15 cm. (3.5 x 5.5 in.)

#TBT to this circa 1863 birds-eye view showing Philadelphia southeast from Frankford Road toward the Delaware River, predominately depicting the open land surrounding the Aramingo Canal, Reading Railroad Depot between Lehigh Avenue and Somerset Street, and the Philadelphia, Trenton, and New York Railroad line.

The view features present-day Kensington, Port Richmond, and Fishtown neighborhoods #PortFishington

Boell, William. Birds-eye view of property on Alleghany Avenue Philadelphia 25th Ward formerly 19th looking S.E. from Frankford Road. [graphic]. [Philadelphia]: Lithographed & printed by William Boell] [c1863] 1 print: chromolithograph; 69 x 100 cm. (27.5 x 40 in.)

Today is the first day of the 2017 NFL Draft! Hosted in Philly this year, we thought this big day called for “a little scrimmage.”  This vibrant chromolithograph of late 19th Century football players really highlights the sport’s rugby roots. Now wear a helmet, boys. 

A Little Scrimmage. Philadelphia Inquirer Art Supplements, ca. 1894 - ca. 1898.  [Specimens album loose prints collection] [graphic].

View showing the former wood-frame residence of Captain Benjamin Loxley built circa 1759. Loxley was a master-builder and architect during the 18th Century. He is also known for collaborating with Ben Franklin on his electrical experiments. In the legend of the kite and key, some say the key belonged to Loxley possibly at an earlier residence.

Richards & Betts, photographer. Loxley House. Coner (s.e.) little Dock and Second streets. January 1854. 1 photographic print:  salted paper;  17 x 14 cm.(6.75 x 5.5 in.)

It’s #Feathursday, and the Morris boys holding fluffy chicks are ramping up the cute factor at the Morris beach house in Sea Girt, New Jersey. 

Morris, Marriott Canby, 1863-1948, photographer. [Two boys holding birds, Sea Girt] [Elliston Perot Morris Jr., Marriott Canby Morris Jr.] Summer 1907. 1 photograph: film negative; 3 x 4.5 in.   

#TBT to a view of the reading room at one of our former location at Locust and Juniper Streets. This one of those library rooms that Belle would fall in love with Beast over. #justsayin

Opening on February 24, 1880, this building was the first of Library Company to cater to women in addition to men, which included the installment of a ladies’ sitting room and the Library Company’s first woman librarian. Today the staff is predominantly women. 

Originally posted by mkgaud

This postcard, showing the interior of Horn & Hardart’s 818-820 Chestnut Street location, serves as an infographic for the self serve restaurant. Opening circa 1902, Horn & Hardart was popular through the first half of the 20th century, closing in 1968. Philadelphia still has an architectural reminder of the once thriving business, with a vertical sign reading “automat” still installed at the Chestnut Street location.

Brightbill, George M., collector. Horn & Hardart’s Automat postcards. 1900-1950. 1 photomechanical print (postcards): photolithograph; 9 x 15 cm.(3.5 x 5.5 in.)