Rosenbach Museum & Library Awarded $750,000 Grant from the William Penn Foundation for Accessibility Upgrades
The Rosenbach Museum & Library’s front exterior and entrance. Image credit: Christopher Tyler Studio.
The Rosenbach Museum & Library, a community in reading and dialogue dedicated to providing physical, intellectual, and emotional access to its 400,000-item collection of rare books and manuscripts, has been awarded a two-year, $750,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation. The grant will support capital upgrades for the museum, focusing on renovations designed to ensure access for all members of the public.
This transformational project will revitalize the front façades and first and second floors of two 1850s townhouses on Delancey Place in Center City, melding them into one dynamic, equitable museum designed to support a broad array of engaging and immersive literary and cultural activities. Renovations will include flexible program, study, and community spaces; entrances that are more easily accessible to everyone; welcoming and accessible signage; and other upgrades. The grant-funded work will positively impact thousands of annual visitors in Philadelphia and its surrounding region.
“The Rosenbach Board of Directors and I are deeply grateful to the William Penn Foundation for its leading support of this crucial project,” said Kelsey Scouten Bates, the John C. Haas Director. “These renovations to our buildings will create a museum and library welcoming to everyone, and we look forward to inviting more members of our communities to explore the Rosenbach’s literary and historic treasures.”
Benito Cachinero-Sánchez, Chair of the Board of Directors, shared, “We have been on a journey to strategize and implement meaningful change at the Rosenbach and believe this project is key to realizing our vision of the museum as a vital contributor to Philadelphia’s arts and culture ecosystem. We thank the William Penn Foundation for their partnership in this important work.”
The Rosenbach Museum & Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that stewards a collection of literary treasures with strengths in British and American literature and American history. The institution welcomes more than 10,000 people in person and online, each year, to participate in courses, hands-on tours, exhibitions, book clubs, workshops, an annual literary festival, research opportunities, and much more.
About William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is committed to expanding access to resources and opportunities that promote a more vital and just city and region for all. We do this through funding programs in the Philadelphia region in arts and culture, children and families, democracy and civic initiatives, environment and public space, and workforce training and services. Learn more at www.williampennfoundation.org.