"A library outranks any other thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never failing spring in the desert."
-- Andrew Carnegie
Join the staff and The Friends of the Richmond Branch for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Richmond Branch.
The Phillie Phanatic will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The Grande Dame of Port Richmond will celebrate her birthday in appropriate style. The Friends have arranged for A Taste of Port Richmond Buffet with samples of the best local cuisine. Many community leaders and celebrities will be on hand.
The Sounds of Liberty barbershop chorus, Sugar Jazz Quartet, ceremonial tree-planting, face-painting, family-fun, and great prize giveaways will all be part of the fun.
Saturday - March 20th - Noon - 3 p.m.
Richmond Branch
Free Library of Philadelphia
2987 Almond Street
Philadelphia, PA 19134-4955
215-685-9992
Also of Interest:
In the the branch library, a vitrine displaying the following...
1) Original Deed (dated 26 December 1907)
2) Hand typed (manual typewriter) report from Emma Enge to the Free Library of Philadelphia detailing the overwhelming response and popularity to programs offered by the Library and the need to increase the amount of programs offered because of overflowing crowds. (dated February 7, 1912)
3) Actual Title Transfer from Anne M. Weighton Walker to the City of Philadelphia (dated 26 December 1907)
4) Original Petition presented to the Free Library of Philadelphia requesting a Polish-language collection for use by residents. At the time, there were over 6,000 Polish-Americans residing in Port Richmond. The Richmond Branch has maintained this collection to this day. (multiple-page petition dated 1912)
Note: photo courtesy of Fedira's Flickr Photostream