Building Name: The Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Street Address: 219 South 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Architect: John Notman (1810-1865)
Year Opened: 1845
Purpose: The Athenaeum is a private, member supported research library, museum, and archive chartered to provide useful knowledge for the benefit of the public.
The Athenaeum is a dramatic and inspiring Italianate building with a long history as a Philadelphia landmark. The exteriors and the interiors of the building reveal a great deal about the building’s character and importance when it was built. That significance endures to this day as it continues to be an inspiring and useful space for researchers, historians, and architects.