Philosophical Hall

History

Philosophical Hall housed APS meetings, offices, and a library. Because the building was larger than needed, rooms were rented out. The University of Pennsylvania held classes there for several years, and Charles Willson Peale located his Philadelphia Museum in the building for a time. Government tenants included the city and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

The Society ended its rental practice in 1934 after a significant bequest from a member improved its finances. The Society considered leaving the building on several occasions, including when the city sought to acquire it as a courthouse, but no price agreement was reached. In the early 20th century, a move to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway was discussed but ended with the 1934 bequest. A third story added in 1890 for the expanding library was removed in 1949 after the library relocated.

The building now houses APS offices and a museum open to the public April through December. Twice-yearly meetings moved to Benjamin Franklin Hall in 1993. Philosophical Hall is the only privately owned structure on Independence Square.

Origin

For twenty years after its founding, the American Philosophical Society had no permanent home and met in various Philadelphia locations. In 1783, members voted to construct a building for meetings. The Pennsylvania Legislative Assembly, meeting in the State House, granted a lot in the State House yard to the Society in 1785. Excavation began immediately, but fundraising was slow; the building took four years to complete, with a loan from member Benjamin Franklin providing the final funds.