Historical Society of Pennsylvania
| Type | Research library, archive, museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 1300 Locust Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Center City |
| Phone | (215) 732-6200 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1824 |
| Founder | William Rawle and others |
| Director | Charles Cullen |
| Hours | Tue-Fri 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM |
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP) is among the nation's oldest and most significant historical research institutions. Founded in 1824, it was created to collect and keep the documentary heritage of Pennsylvania and the broader Mid-Atlantic region safe for future generations. Located in Center City, HSP holds over 600,000 items: manuscripts, rare books, newspapers, photographs, maps, and artworks that span five centuries of American history.[1]
It's not your typical walk-through museum. Instead, HSP serves researchers, genealogists, historians, and curious members of the public through its research library, educational programming, and rotating exhibitions. The collections encompass founding documents of American history, family papers, business records, and materials about both famous figures and everyday people.[2]
History
Founding
December 2, 1824. That's when the Historical Society of Pennsylvania came into being, making it one of the oldest historical societies in the country. William Rawle, Peter S. Du Ponceau, and other prominent Philadelphians founded it with a simple goal: preserve what Pennsylvania's past had to tell us.
Early Collecting
Those early years saw rapid growth. The society snapped up:
- Papers of Penn family and colonial officials
- Revolutionary War documents
- Early Pennsylvania records
- Rare books and pamphlets
The Building
Since 1910, HSP has called 1300 Locust Street home. The Classical Revival structure was designed with one purpose in mind: to protect and house an ever-expanding collection of irreplaceable materials.
Mission
The organization exists to:
- Collect and preserve historical materials
- Make collections accessible for research
- Educate the public about history
- Build historical scholarship
Collections
Manuscripts
Over 20 million pages of manuscript material live here. You'll find:
- Penn Family Papers: William Penn and his descendants
- Revolutionary War: Military and political records
- Founding Fathers: Papers of notable figures
- Business Records: Companies and industries
- Family Papers: Genealogical collections
Notable Holdings
| Collection | Description |
|---|---|
| Penn Family Papers | Documents of Pennsylvania's founders |
| Dreer Collection | Autographs of notable Americans |
| Gratz Collection | American Jewish history |
| Leon Gardiner Collection | African American history |
| Balch Institute | Immigration and ethnic history |
Rare Books
The rare book collection includes:
- First editions of important American works
- Colonial imprints
- Newspapers and periodicals
- Maps and atlases
Graphics
Visual materials encompass:
- Photographs
- Prints and drawings
- Paintings and portraits
- Broadsides and posters
Balch Institute Collections
In 2002, something significant happened. HSP merged with the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies, substantially expanding its reach into:
- Immigration history
- Ethnic communities
- Labor history
- Philadelphia's diverse populations
Using the Library
Research Services
Who comes here? Academic researchers, genealogists, writers and journalists, documentary filmmakers, students, and educators. All of them rely on HSP's resources to dig deeper into history.
Hours
- Tuesday-Friday: 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM
- Closed: Saturday, Sunday, Monday
- Check the website for extended hours and special closures
Access
Getting in isn't difficult. The research room's open to the public without an appointment for most materials. You'll need to register (it's free), though some collections require advance notice. Photocopying and scanning services are available.
Finding Aids
- Online catalog
- Collection guides
- Staff assistance available
Exhibitions and Programs
Exhibitions
The first-floor gallery hosts rotating exhibitions drawn from the collections. These exhibitions explore themes in Pennsylvania and American history, changing periodically to highlight different aspects of the past.
Educational Programs
HSP doesn't just store documents. The institution also runs:
- Public lectures
- Symposia and conferences
- K-12 educational resources
- Teacher workshops
Genealogy Resources
If you're hunting for family history, this is a crucial destination. The society holds family papers and genealogies, birth, death, and marriage records, immigration documents, military records, and church and cemetery records.
Visiting HSP
Location
1300 Locust Street in Center City Philadelphia.
Getting There
Multiple transit options exist:
- SEPTA Broad Street Line: Walnut-Locust Station
- SEPTA Regional Rail: Suburban Station (10-minute walk)
- SEPTA Bus: Multiple routes on Broad Street
- Parking: Street parking, nearby garages
Tips
A few things to remember: it's a research library, not a walk-through museum. The exhibitions, though, are open to visitors without an appointment. The research room requires registration. Staff members can answer genealogy questions, and you can access online resources from home.
Nearby Attractions
- Academy of Music (2 blocks)
- Kimmel Center (2 blocks)
- Avenue of the Arts (1 block)
- Rittenhouse Square (5-minute walk)
See Also
- Library Company of Philadelphia
- American Philosophical Society
- Philadelphia Archives
- Genealogy in Philadelphia
- Pennsylvania History
References
- ↑ "About HSP". Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved December 30, 2025
- ↑ "Historical Society of Pennsylvania". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 30, 2025