-
The Colored Reading Society, the first social library for African Americans, opens in Philadelphia.
The Colored Reading Society for Mental Improvement was established in Philadelphia in 1828. The society’s was strictly focused on reading and literature. It’s not clear what happened to the Colored Reading Society. In 1833, Whipper helped found the Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons, so it may be that the new organization absorbed the society’s membership. Learn More -
The Female Literary Association is formed in Philadelphia, PA.
The Female Literary Association was formed to “develop [members’] God-given intellectual powers.” Members of the Association met each Tuesday for “recitation and reading.” Not content with merely educating themselves and reading their works at meetings, members regularly submitted their writings for publication and were the primary contributors to The Liberator’s “Ladies Department.”
Learn More -
Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons was established.
The Philadelphia Library Company of Colored Persons was formed in 1833 and incorporated in 1836. By 1838, it had more than 150 active members and 600 volumes in its library. Learn More -
Garrison Literary and Benevolent Association was formed.
According to its constitution, published on April 19, 1934, in The Liberator, the purpose of the Garrison Literary and Benevolent Association was to “cultivate and extend the great interests of religion, virtue, and literature.” Formed in New York City, the Garrett Literary Association was one of the first literary societies for children; it was open to boys under 20 years of age. Members were required to pay an admission fee of twelve and one half cents, as well as one cent per week for dues. -
Rush Library Company and Debating Society is formed.
The Rush Library Company and Debate Society was formed in 1836 and incorporated in 1837. By 1841, it had 30 members, and its library contained more than 200 volumes. -
Banneker Literary Institute is formed.
The Banneker Institute was formed by young men from Philadelphia’s elite African American families for “the mental improvement of its members by means of lectures, debates" and so forth. The institute's library held over 500 books, including rare works. The institute also maintained an archive of speeches and addresses given leading African American writers and activists of the time.
<a href='https://africanamericanlibraryhistory.wordpress.com/banneker-institute/ >Learn More</a> -
