Free Library of Philadelphia Newspapers & Microfilm Center

Free Library of Philadelphia Newspapers & Microfilm Center Historical newspapers and microfilm

The Newspapers and Microfilm Department at the Parkway Central branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia has many daily newspapers and over 100,000 reels of microfilm including historical newspapers, magazines and journals.

We're still celebrating 250 years of Independence with another "Evening Editions: 250" event at Free Library of Philadel...
08/12/2026

We're still celebrating 250 years of Independence with another "Evening Editions: 250" event at Free Library of Philadelphia -- Come take a look at history as it happened via microfilm. We'll present July 1976 editions of the Germantown Courier and the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin tomorrow (13 August) from 2-4 PM in the Newspaper and Microfilm Department on the 2nd floor.

The Military History Club will be meeting tomorrow, Thursday August 13th! Join us as this month's discussion will cover ...
08/12/2026

The Military History Club will be meeting tomorrow, Thursday August 13th! Join us as this month's discussion will cover Diplomatic efforts with Spain and the United States. The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center, Room 131/132.

Join us for the Evening Edition in the Newspaper and Microfilm Department as we spotlight various papers over the last 2...
07/27/2026

Join us for the Evening Edition in the Newspaper and Microfilm Department as we spotlight various papers over the last 250 years from a Philadelphia perspective. We’ll be presenting two contemporary papers of their time for you to view on microfilm at your leisure from 2-4 PM every other Thursday.

This Thursday, July 30th, 2026 we'll present July 1946 the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Tribune, (upstairs in Room 214 from 2-4 PM).

Join us this Friday in Conference Room 131 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for another installment of The Missing. This w...
07/21/2026

Join us this Friday in Conference Room 131 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for another installment of The Missing. This week we will examine the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft, in which, under the cover of night, two men posing as police slipped into the Museum and quietly removed 13 priceless masterpieces. Works by Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt vanished without a trace-leaving behind only empty frames and unanswered questions.

We will explore the story of the missing artwork -from the first article to today. Original news articles, retrieved from databases and microfilm, will be presented in a timeline format. After the presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session, including tips on investigative research using the library’s resources.

Photo from the March 28, 1990 issue of the Inquirer.

Join the City Planning Club this Thursday. We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelp...
07/20/2026

Join the City Planning Club this Thursday. We are continuing a discussion series centered on topics related to Philadelphia history, connecting local history with city planning and development. This month, participate in a thoughtful, guided discussion about the zipper proposals over I-676.

The group meets from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM in the Heim Center, Room 131/132.

July 1926 shows Philadelphia as a car-centered city -- The Philadelphia Inquirer was on top of Broad Street paving contr...
07/15/2026

July 1926 shows Philadelphia as a car-centered city -- The Philadelphia Inquirer was on top of Broad Street paving controversies going back to at least this July 7th headline -- Cars were the way to get around -- whether via Yellow Cab or as advertised in full page spreads like these Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Ad.

Come to the Newspaper and Microfilm Department on the 2nd floor tomorrow (Thursday 16 July) from 2-4 PM to take a look at more interesting features from the July 1926 Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. Between the photo spreads, full page ads, and "Sesqui" news of the day, there's no telling what interesting things you'll discover!

Stop in to the Newspaper and Microfilm Department on the second floor where we have the next installment of "Philly 250:...
07/07/2026

Stop in to the Newspaper and Microfilm Department on the second floor where we have the next installment of "Philly 250: the 1976 Bicentennial." The installation on display this month features front page news and a few pieces of ephemera from 1976.

**Cancelled** Our apologies but due to unforeseen building issues, the Evening Editions 250 scheduled for today is cance...
07/02/2026

**Cancelled** Our apologies but due to unforeseen building issues, the Evening Editions 250 scheduled for today is cancelled. We hope to see you soon!

Check out this cool front page for the Illustrated Sun from the 2nd of July 1926, as the Delaware River Bridge, (known n...
07/01/2026

Check out this cool front page for the Illustrated Sun from the 2nd of July 1926, as the Delaware River Bridge, (known now as the Benjamin Franklin Bridge) opened to celebratory foot traffic. Things were "afoot" in 1926!

**UPDATE*** Progamming is unfortunately cancelled today.

You can beat the heat and come view this paper (and others)Thursday afternoon from 2-4 PM -- We'll be featuring the The Illustrated Sun and the Philadelphia Public Ledger from July 1926 -- The Pennsylvania Evening Post from July 1776 will be on hand as well, if you would still like an opportunity to view the Declaration of Independence (first time in print newspaper).

We will also be featuring a new cabinet display for the 1976 Bicentennial! So much cool stuff happening here at the Newspaper & Microfilm Department!

Note: The Newspaper & Microfilm Department is located on the 2nd floor.

Gentle reminder that "Evening Editions: 250" is canceled for today, June 18th as the library closes early for the Junete...
06/18/2026

Gentle reminder that "Evening Editions: 250" is canceled for today, June 18th as the library closes early for the Juneteenth holiday.

Come see us for the next Evening Editions on Thursday July 2nd! (or feel free to stop in during regular library hours to view microfilm, no appointment needed!)

Address

1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA
19103

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(215) 686-5431

Website

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