Location: Center City, Philadelphia in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood at 2008-2010 Delancey Place. About 4 blocks away from Rittenhouse Square Park near the Schuylkill River. Discounted parking is available at 5-Star Parking, located a short walk away at 2031 Lombard St (validate parking ticket at the museum to receive discount). Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (age 65+), and $5 for students and children. Children under age 5 are free. More information and directions online at www.rosenbach.org. Contact by phone (215) 732-1600 or email info@rosenbach.org.
Hours: Tuesday—Noon to 5pm; Wednesday—Noon to 8pm; Thursday—Noon to 8; Friday—Noon to 5; Saturday—Noon to 6; Sunday—Noon to 6; Closed Mondays and National Holidays
Private research also available by appointment
Frame of Reference: The museum was established in 1954 after the death of brothers Phillip and Abraham Rosenbach. These Philadelphia natives were interested in rare books, manuscripts, and decorative arts, which they collected and sold in their shop on Walnut Street. The Rosenbach brothers wanted everyone to be able to enjoy the rare works they sold and encouraged buyers to make their collections public. They lived in the 19th century townhouse on Delancey Place from 1926 to 1952 and kept several collected pieces there for their own personal collection. After their death, the house and all collections, in store and private, were willed to be opened as a museum. The present day museum includes the original townhouse, which forms the main museum area and was kept furnished much as it was, with the additional collection elements incorporated in. The house next door was purchased and forms the main reception area and gift shop along with some offices.
About the Site: Guided general house tours are available and included in admission. These tours lead visitors through the first and second floors of the house and give a general overview of all the exhibitions present. The first floor is mainly the home of the art pieces, while the second floor houses the library and much of the literary-based collections. Also available are “Hands-On Tours”, which are special tours that focus on one element of the museum collection and are offered almost every Friday or Sunday. These hour-long tours allow visitors to learn by handling and seeing rare books and manuscripts up close and cost an additional $5. A complete list of upcoming Hands-On tours is available online at www.rosenbach.org/handsontours. Advance registration is recommended 48 hours prior to the tour date in order to secure a spot and avoid cancellations.
Significant Collections:
- James Joyce- Ulysses manuscript
- Maurice Sendak- original drawings
- Marianne Moore- papers and recreation of her living room
- Bram Stoker- notes and outlines for Dracula
- George Washington- over 100 personal letters
- Lewis Carroll- over 600 letters, rare photographs and books
- William Blake- original drawings and books
- Charles Dickens- largest surviving portions of manuscripts for The Pickwick Papers
- Thomas Jefferson- inventory of his slaves
- Cervantes- rare copy of a first edition of Don Quixote and handwritten documents
- …And many, many more!
Elsewhere in the Area: Mutter Museum, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Plays & Players Theatre, Helium Comedy Club
Taylor Ream, Temple University