The Athenĉum building was
designed in 1845 by the innovative architect John Notman
(1810-1865). It is widely hailed as the seminal American structure
in the Italianate Revival Style and one of the first Philadelphia
buildings built of brownstone. Severely plain on the exterior and
deceptive in scale, the Athenĉum building contains richly
embellished reading rooms with 24-foot ceilings.
Into these spaces has been gathered a museum collection of American
fine and decorative arts from the period 1800 to 1850 which is
available for group or individual tours by advance reservation. The
building has been expanded and restored to provide appropriate
facilities for the care and exhibition of the collections. It was
declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977. [See, Exhibitions
& Programs]
For more information on John Notman and the Athenĉum
building, consult:
Constance M. Greiff, John Notman, Architect
(Philadelphia, the Athenĉum, 1979).
Available from the Athenĉum for $20.00 plus $3.00 for postage.
[See, Bookstore]
Roger W. Moss, Philadelphia Victorian: The
Building of the Athenĉum (Philadelphia, the Athenĉum,
1998).
Available from the Athenĉum for $72.00 plus $3.00 for postage.
[See, Bookstore]
