A call to our members! Please share your WWI stories.
In the Fall of 2016, the Library Company will mount an exhibition relating the story of how World War One impacted the Library Company—its operations, staff, board, and shareholders—within the larger story of Philadelphia in the war.
Curators Sarah Weatherwax and Linda August are currently conducting research for this exhibit and are interested in learning more about Philadelphians during the War.
We would love to hear from our members who had family, especially if they were Library Company shareholders, in Philadelphia during that time who served in the military or on the homefront, volunteering in the many organizations aiding the war effort, fundraising for liberty bonds, growing liberty gardens or preserving food, etc.
If you would like to share your stories, contact us by emailing: printroom@librarycompany.org, laugust@librarycompany.org, or calling 215 546-3181.
Please do not send material without speaking with us first.
![Camera Obscura! [United States, ca. 1853]. Printed handbill. 11.5 x 5 in. Picture shows a handbill illustrated with a decorative border. The document will be described from the top of the page to the bottom. Text reads: Camera Obscura! [new line] There will be an Exhibition [new line] of [new line] Paintings! [new line] Given this [blank] Even[in]g, [new line] at 7 o’clock, [blank] 185[blank] [new line]. In the [blank] [new line] at [blank]. [new line] At which [new line] Prof. W. F. Johnson, [new line] A Colored Gentleman, of the N. Y. In-[new line] stitute for the Blind, will introduce to the citizens [new line] of this vicinity, and the public generally, without [new line] reference to Party or Politics, Fifteen Scenes, illus-[new line] trative of some of the features of the American In- [new line] stitution of Slavery, accompanied by some ap- [new line]propriate odes, “The Slave Mothers’s La-[new line] ment,” “Appeal to Christina,” “Un- [new line] cle Tom’s Religion.” To conclude with ten interesting Changing [new line] Views, magnified, active, and as large as life. [new line] Admission One Shilling. [new line] Children Under 10 years of age sixpence. [new line] [picture of pointed finger] Complimentary to Press and Clergy. [new line] Opinion of the Press.- Mr. Johnson, has been a re- [new line] sident of our village, when at home, for some 20 years, during much of [new line] which time we have been acquainted with him. Blind since his youth, [new line] he has, with untiring perseverance [sic], educated himself. During three [new line] years’ residence in New York Institute for the blind, he made him [new line] self acquainted with the science of Phrenology, under the instruction of [new line] Prof. Fowler. The independence and strength of character exhibited by [new line] Mr. J. in procuring an education, with the privilege of sight denied him, [new line] is worthy of admirati[o]n; and those who know him, stand ready at all [new line] times to attend his lectures and exhibitions. He has an instructive and [new line] entertaining exhibition. – Ithaca Journal. [End of description]](https://librarycompany.org/wp-content/uploads/smxam1853john-5741-f-2-3-80x80.jpg)