The Stylish Books: Designing Philadelphia Furniture exhibition examines the Library Company’s collection related to furniture making in Philadelphia, illustrating the influence of books and showing style changes over time. Printed designs spread new ideas. Artisans, as well as their patrons, relied on books as a way to learn about the latest fashions in interior decoration. Books, periodicals, and advertisements generated consumer desire for these goods.  The symposium will further explore and expand on how printed books impacted and inspired furniture design and style. Participants will enjoy talks from expert scholars and have an opportunity to view the exhibition. We hope to encourage and stimulate thought and conversation on this topic. Join us for an exciting day of research and discovery.

Registration: Please register here. Registration opens at the Library Company at 8:15AM. A light breakfast will be provided.

Dining: In addition to the light breakfast, snacks will be served during the morning break. Lunch is on your own.

Mobile Devices and Social Media: As a courtesy, please silence your devices during the sessions. We encourage you to use your devices to engage in social media discussion and posts about the symposium. Please use the hashtag #LCPstylishbooks. To link to the Library Company social media accounts, please use:

Facebook:@LibraryCompany

Twitter:@librarycompany

Instagram and Tumblr: librarycompany

Transit:  The Library Company of Philadelphia (1314 Locust Street) is easily accessible by public transit and automobiles. We are located on Locust Street, between Broad Street and 13th Street in Center City Philadelphia. We are a few blocks from City Hall and one block east of the Academy of Music. Closest SEPTA(www.septa.org) stations are Suburban Station and Jefferson Station. There are parking lots nearby and taxis are available at the Doubletree Hotel at the southeast corner of Broad and Locust streets.

Nearby Lodging:

Holiday Inn Express – Philadelphia Midtown
1305 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-735-9300

Close to the Jefferson Station SEPTA stop, this modern downtown hotel is a less than a 5-minute walk to the Library Company. The contemporary rooms come with free Wi-Fi, work desks and flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, as well as microwaves, mini fridges and coffeemakers. Amenities include complimentary buffet breakfast, new on-site Fitness Center, and seasonal outdoor pool.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Philadelphia Center City
237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-893-1600

This contemporary downtown hotel 4 blocks from City Hall is adjacent to a SEPTA subway station, plus a less than 5-minute walk to the Library Company. All rooms offer modern decor and custom-designed beds, plus flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi (fee). Suites with separate living areas (some with kitchenettes) and Executive rooms provide access to the Executive Lounge’s free breakfast. A breakfast and brunch restaurant overlooks the street, plus there’s a bistro serving light meals from lunch through dinner. There’s also a fitness center and a rooftop atrium with pool.

The Independence Hotel
1234 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-772-1440

Less than a block from the Library Company, the Independent Hotel is one of the most friendly and intimate hotels in the area. Nearby Philly’s Restaurant Row on 13th Street features some of the best dining in town. Your stay includes complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi.

Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-625-2900

Perfectly situated in Center City and about 3 blocks from the Library Company, the hotel includes dining, Starbucks, a fitness center and a heated, indoor pool. Philadelphia’s famous Reading Terminal Market is directly across the street.