The Library Company of Philadelphia, in partnership with the American Philosophical Society, presents:
The Mellon Scholars Summer Program
Schedule and Info Hub
*Click on each tab for more details about the daily schedule
Important Information
Housing
Scholars will stay at Louise Stahl Residence Hall at Moore College of Art & Design (1916 Race Street, Philadelphia).
Each scholar will have a private suite, with every two suites sharing one bathroom. Suites include air conditioning, mini-fridges, and microwaves. A shared kitchenette is available for all residents.
Several grocery stores are within walking distance, including Trader Joe’s and Giant.
The Library Company and residence hall will provide
- Essential Twin XL bedding
- Laundry supplies
- Basic kitchen supplies
- Paper towels and toilet paper
Recommended packing list
Important documents
- Student ID, driver’s license and/or passport
- Insurance card
- Debit and/or credit card
- List of emergency contacts
Technology
- Phone
- Laptop
- Headphones
- Chargers for all devices
- Extension cord
Daily essentials
- A reliable backpack or bag for everyday use
- Writing supplies (pencils, paper, notebook, etc.)
- You are welcome to bring pens, highlighters, or other ink products for personal use, but they are not permitted in the reading rooms.
Clothing
- Clothes for 10 days (space will be limited, so pack only what you expect to wear)
- Business casual attire for daily work in the library and during tours
- A warm layer for air-conditioned indoor spaces
- At least one business professional outfit for final presentations and the Juneteenth celebration on Tuesday, June 16
- Umbrella or rainwear for summer weather
Comfort and personal items
-
- Basic toiletries and hygiene supplies
- Shower shoes
- Mattress topper or similar comfort items
- Any additional items that will help make your dorm stay comfortable
Final Assignment and Presentation
Mellon Scholars are expected to develop research skills and explore African American history by undertaking an independent research project that draws on the Library Company’s African American History collections. Each year, scholars present on their topic at the close of programming and publish a blog post about their research. Please click to link below to see the requirements:
Mellon Summer Scholars Final Assignment and Presentation Instructions
Stipends
Stipends will be disbursed as follows:
- June 5th: $50 payment deposited (Intended to assist with travel to Moore College, a meal, or anything else you may need your first evening before the program begins)
- June 8th: $500 first half of stipend deposited (Your stipend is intended to cover the cost of your travel to and from the Library each day, meals, and any other needs you have during your stay in Philadelphia)
- June 15th: $500 second half of stipend deposited
Program Schedule, June 7 – 17
Sunday, 6/7
Arrival
Monday, 6/8
Intro to LCP
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Light breakfast and introduction to the PAAH Mellon Summer Scholars Program (Jim) | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Reading Rooms orientation (Scheide + GAD), Q&A with collections staff | 1st Floor Reading Room |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on your own | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Workshops with Wynn & Tamar | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Tuesday, 6/9
Getting Familiar with Local Resources
Tours Today:
HSP Private Vault Tours: An Exclusive Journey into America’s Past
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Reading and research; reference interviews | 1st Floor Reading Room / GAD |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on your own | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 1:30 PM | Black History Vault tour at HSP | 1300 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Meetings with Jim | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Wednesday, 6/10
Black Philadelphia in the 18th and 19th Century
Tours Today:
Black History Guided Tour at the Museum of the American Revolution
The Richard Allen Museum at Mother Bethel AME
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Black History Tour at the Museum of the American Revolution | 101 S 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 |
| 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch | Cross Keys Café (in Museum) |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Tour of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church | 419 S 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 |
| 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Research, Debrief | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Thursday, 6/11
Afterlives of the Slavery in the 20th and 21st Century
Tours Today:
Exploring Black Philadelphia in the Urban Archives at Temple’s Special Collections Research Center
Exploring Black History at Eastern State Penitentiary
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Research | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Eastern State guided tour | 2027 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130 |
| 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM | Lunch on Fairmount | |
| 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Visit Special Collections Research Center; introduction to the Urban Archives Collection | 1900 N 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19122 |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Friday, 6/12
Optimizing Research, Continuing Professional Development
Workshop Today with Dr. John Garcia
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Research | Scheide Reading Room |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on your own | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Workshop with Dr. John Garcia | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Research | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Saturday, 6/13
Sunday, 6/14
Time on your own
Monday, 6/15
Finalizing Presentations
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Research; work on final presentations | 1st Floor Reading Room and/or Graphic Arts Department |
| 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch on your own | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Research; work on final presentations | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 5:00 PM onward | Time on your own; dinner on your own |
Tuesday, 6/16
Presentations and Juneteenth Program
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Arrive at LCP | |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Research / time on your own | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch at LCP | Cassatt House Kitchen + Back Office |
| 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Final presentations | Cassatt House Conference Room |
| 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Certificate of completion ceremony; photos / headshots | Cassatt House Parlor |
| 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM | Time on your own | |
| 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Juneteenth event: “From Ledger to Genome: Data and the History of Black Life” | Logan Room |
Wednesday, 6/17
Departure


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