The Rosenbach Museum & Library: Philadelphia’s Home for Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Treasures

The Rosenbach Museum & Library

Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Rittenhouse-Fitler district, the Rosenbach Museum & Library is a beacon for lovers of rare books, manuscripts, decorative arts, and the mysteries of literary history. This historic museum, founded in 1954, unveils the grandeur and legacy of the Rosenbach brothers—Dr. Abraham Simon Wolf Rosenbach and Philip Rosenbach—whose extraordinary collections helped shape America’s greatest libraries. Today, the Rosenbach stands as an internationally recognized landmark, welcoming visitors for guided tours, exhibitions, research appointments, and special events anchored by nearly 400,000 items that span centuries and continents.

History and Founding

The Rosenbach’s origins trace back to Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach, a pioneering rare book dealer who played a central role in building private libraries that evolved into public treasures like the Folger, Huntington, and Widener Libraries. Together with his brother Philip, the Rosenbachs collected an array of valuable objects they simply could not bear to part with, forming the museum’s core holdings. The museum is housed in their historic townhouse at 2010 Delancey Place, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2013, the institution became affiliated with the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, expanding its reach while keeping independent stewardship.

Collection Highlights: Literary and Historic Masterpieces

The Rosenbach preserves a rare book and manuscript collection that is virtually unparalleled, focusing on American and British literature and history. Among the treasures:

James Joyce’s Ulysses Manuscript: Regarded as one of literature’s great masterworks, the original manuscript resides at the Rosenbach, drawing scholars and admirers from around the world.
Benjamin Franklin’s First Poor Richard Almanac: The only known surviving copy of the 1733 first edition is another crown jewel of the collection.
George Washington Letters: Over one hundred letters written by Washington are here, illuminating the birth of American democracy.
Early Americana: Manuscripts from Antonio Pigafetta’s Magellan voyage, colonial settlement tracts, and the Bay Psalm Book (the first book printed in what is now the United States) offer windows into the earliest chapters of American history.

The museum’s collection is supported by rich manuscript material, including letters from figures such as Cortés, Pizarro, de Soto, Commodore Barry, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and signers of the Declaration of Independence.

British and Irish Literary Treasures

Chronologically, the Rosenbach’s literary reach stretches from a celebrated Chaucer portrait in a 1410 manuscript to Thomas Hoccleve’s poems, major manuscripts of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Bunyan’s original Pilgrim’s Progress, and the most extensive collection of Robert Burns manuscripts in existence. Marvel at Tonson’s assignment copy of Milton’s Paradise Lost, Beardsley’s illustrations, Boswell’s Life of Johnson, and Dickens’ manuscripts for Nicholas Nickleby and the Pickwick Papers—each a unique piece of literary history.

Decorative and Fine Arts

Walk through the Rosenbach’s grand townhouse and discover furniture, silver, paintings, prints, drawings, and sculpture, curated to reflect the eclectic, sophisticated tastes of its founders. Among the highlights: a mid-18th-century Philadelphia tall chest, silver by Hester Bateman and Myer Myers, a portrait by Thomas Sully of Rebecca Gratz, and the largest collection of oil-on-metal portrait miniatures in the country. The museum also boasts notable examples of eighteenth-century English furniture and rare Philadelphia high chests, Chippendale work, and masterworks by renowned artisans.

Specialized Collections and Installations

The Rosenbach’s holdings delve into niche passions and historic specialties:

Marianne Moore Collection: The Rosenbach is the undisputed center for the study of Modernist poet Marianne Moore, preserving her manuscripts, library, photographs, and even her Greenwich Village living room, designated a National Literary Landmark.
Judaica: Rare pieces include Hebrew incunabula, the Amsterdam Haggadah of 1695, and the first Hebrew grammar printed in the United States.
Book Arts and Maps: The museum has codex manuscripts, incunabula (early examples of European printing), illuminated books, maps from the 16th-19th centuries, and Kelmscott Press collects.
Antiquities, Jewelry & Vertu: From ancient jewelry and walking sticks to decorative snuff boxes and thimbles, the collection spans antiquity to the 20th century.

Exhibits, Outreach, and Events

Guided tours and programs invite visitors to experience treasures up close. The Rosenbach hosts virtual and on-site events, including book clubs, creative writing courses, and lectures. Bloomsday, the annual festival celebrating James Joyce’s Ulysses every June 16th, puts the Rosenbach on the literary map.

Collections can be explored in detail via catalogs and databases, and the museum welcomes research appointments—making the library a living resource for scholars and community members alike.

Philadelphia Museum Connections

The Rosenbach’s neighborhood is home to some of Philadelphia’s most acclaimed cultural institutions—each offering unique perspectives and programs. After visiting the Rosenbach, explore these museums:

Delve into rare fossils and scientific wonders at the Academy of Natural Sciences.
Discover Black history and culture at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.
Experience Impressionist and modernist virtuosity at the Barnes Foundation.
Interact with cutting-edge science exhibits at the Franklin Institute.
Start your Philadelphia adventure at the centrally located Independence Visitor Center.
Marvel at French sculpture in the Rodin Museum.
Step into the life of a revolutionary seamstress at The Betsy Ross House.
Dive into natural history at the Wagner Free Institute of Science.
Appreciate local artistic brilliance at the Woodmere Art Museum.
The Wyckoff House Museum explores historic roots and gardens.
Travel the world’s cultures at the Penn Museum.
Encounter contemporary art in creative abundance at the Fabric Workshop & Museum.

A visit to the Rosenbach Museum & Library is a journey through the annals of literature, history, and art. Its treasures reflect humanity’s creative achievements and document key moments in American, British, and global culture. Whether you’re a student, scholar, storyteller, or curious traveler, the Rosenbach invites you to explore, learn, and engage with Philadelphia’s world-class museum district.

Take a tour through guided exhibits, join in outreach programs, and connect with nearby museums to complete your Philadelphia cultural experience. The Rosenbach remains a living legacy of the written word, artistry, and the powerful stories that continue to shape our city and world.

Visit The Rosenbach Museum and Library

Name: The Rosenbach Museum and Library
Address: 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone Number: 215-732-1600
Email Address: info@rosenbach.org
Map Location: View Location on Google Maps

Ticket Information

Tickets are required for all visitors except members.
Admission prices: Adults $12.50, Seniors (65+) $10, Students and Children $7.50, Children under 5 free.
Members and members of reciprocal museum programs enter free.
Tickets and timed entry reservations can be booked online, by email at rsvp@rosenbach.org, or by phone at 215-732-1600 ext. 110.

General Admission Information

Open Thursday through Saturday, 10:30 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Guided tours available for individuals and groups fewer than 10 people, reservations are recommended.
Self-guided tours available Saturdays and Sundays, supported by a free app with audio guides.

Accessibility Information

Accessible entrance ramps are available; visitors requiring assistance should call ahead at 215-732-1600.
Wheelchair accessible throughout the museum.
Bathrooms and facilities accessible for visitors with disabilities.

Other Visitor Information

The Rosenbach houses rare books, manuscripts, and decorative arts in historic 1865 townhouses.
Photography is allowed; pencils only for note-taking to protect collections.
Lockers available for personal belongings.
No food or drinks allowed inside the museum.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive close to their ticket times to avoid crowding.
The gift shop is open during regular hours.
COVID-19 precautions apply; visitors assume risks related to exposure.

This museum is ideal for lovers of literature, history, and fine arts, showcasing collections from figures like James Joyce, Bram Stoker, and Edgar Allan Poe.