Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Why it's listed
Designed by John Notman in 1845 and completed in 1847, this three-story building of red sandstone in the Italian Renaissance Revival palazzo style stands on St. James Street in Philadelphia. Its rusticated ashlar ground floor, bracketed cornice and recessed entrance with stone pilasters follow Florentine and Roman palace models of the early sixteenth century. Inside, an open central stair rises three floors to a lantern, and the second-floor Library Room, measuring 65 by 24 feet, has a screen of three Corinthian columns and a gold-leaf plaster cornice. The building is significant as the first structure of its kind in the city and one of the earliest uses of the style in the United States. Its brownstone and stylistic innovations influenced Philadelphia building and increased Notman's reputation. It is the oldest library building in the city in continuous use. The Athenaeum has hosted major literary and political figures, and the building has also housed the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the American Institute of Architects. The National Education Association was founded within its rooms.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building was the first structure of its kind in Philadelphia and one of the earliest appearances of the Italian Renaissance Revival style in the United States. Its use of brownstone and the style influenced local building and raised Notman's reputation. As the oldest library building in Philadelphia in continuous use, it has long served as a gathering place for literary and political figures and as a home to several professional and historical societies.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72001144, listed February 1, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 219 S. 6th St., Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| County | Philadelphia |
| Listed | February 1, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001144 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | John Notman (architect) |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance Revival palazzo style |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 8, 1976 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Original site; the stone exterior shows signs of minor deterioration and the interior is little altered from the original design. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Society Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.94686, -75.15087 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72001144.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2869315
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.