Library Company

The second floor of Carpenters’ Hall was outfitted to meet the needs of the Library Company of Philadelphia, Philadelphia’s first lending library.  Established in 1731 by Benjamin Franklin and his colleagues, members purchased shares allowing them to borrow freely from the Library Company’s collections but by 1741 the opportunity to borrow books for a deposit was granted to the general public. The library’s collections included works of history and geography, literature, travel and scientific interest.

 The Library Company’s new quarters in Carpenters’ Hall included inside shutters, cabinets and bookshelves with wire latticework made by member Thomas Nevell, as well as 12 Windsor chairs, six sconces and two chandeliers.  The Library Company remained at the Hall until 1791 when, realizing they had outgrown the space, the Company constructed its own building at the southeast corner of Fifth & Chestnut Streets, a block away.  

 Some of the Carpenters’ Company early members were also members of the Library Company – Benjamin Loxley, Samuel Rhoads and John Nicolas, and later others received shares for their work on the new building: Reese Loyd, Jacob Lewis, David Evans Sr., Samuel Pancoast, William Williams, Joseph Rakestraw Jr, Matthias Sadler, Josephy Ogilby and William Garrigues.