1731

Library Company of Philadelphia established as first subscription library.

1733

First graphic art work received into the collections.

1733

First graphic art work received into the collections.

1790–1791

First permanent building of Library Company is completed and opened at Fifth and Library Streets.

1829

Directors make second purchase of graphic art work for the collections.

1870

Directors make third purchase of graphic art work for the collections.

1878

Library relocates to Ridgway Building built in South Philadelphia with the bequest of Dr. James Rush.

1879–1880

Juniper Street building is built and opened as circulating branch of the Library Company (Building sold in 1939).

1937

The Book Committee made “responsible for the care and custody” of “unframed prints and engravings, etc.”

1943–1955

Library under the administration of Free Library of Philadelphia.

1955

Library is established as an independent research library under Librarian Edwin Wolf 2nd.

1966

Library Company Ridgway Building relocates to 1314 Locust Street.

1969

Negro History, 1553-1903 exhibition on display.

1980

First woman elected to Library Company Board of Trustees.

1982

Graphic arts collection doubles in size since Library Company’s move to Locust Street building in 1966.

1997

First woman elected President of the Library Company Board of Trustees.

1999–2000

Program in Early American Economy and Society established.

Program in Early American Medicine and Society established.

2007

Program in African American History established.

2008

Visual Culture Program established.

2013

Davida T. Deutsch Program in Women’s History established.

2020–2021

Print Department renamed Graphic Arts Department.

Fiftieth Anniversary of Graphic Arts Department commemorated.