Details
Creator Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927
Title Venerable Neighbors of Independence Hall
Date ca. 1922
Description View of the Philadelphia Library, Mercantile Library, and Philadelphia Dispensary near Independence Hall.
Notes The Philadelphia Library, the Mercantile Library, and Philadelphia Dispensary buildings formed a notable trio of dignified examples of the old-time architecture of the city. The first-named was removed to make room for the Drexel building about 1880. The others are still in situ. When the Library Company of Philadelphia was organized by Benjamin Franklin and some of his fellow bibliophiles in 1731, it was content with humble quarters but, at the age of fifty-nine years, it was able to erect the fine building here depicted. It became the custodian of the priceless Loganian Library. The system of loaning books without charge originated with this institution. The library is now located upon Locust Street east of Broad Street. The costly building and collection of rare books bequeathed by Dr. James Rush is administered as the Ridgway Branch. The Mercantile Library Company was founded in 1820. The building, in the centre of this group, was erected in 1845. The Library removed, in 1868, to the more spacious structure on Tenth Street below Market Street, which had been built some years before by the Franklin Market Company. The beneficent little Dispensary, built in 1801, still remains to minister freely to sick and injured applicants of the poor, the oldest and one of the most worthy charities of its kind in the United States.
Taylor Catalog Number: 191
Is part of Frank H. Taylor Collection
Identifier Taylor - Case 7-3 [2717.F]