The American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743, proudly bears the title of the nation's oldest learned society. Our founders participated in the birth of American democracy. It pains us greatly that all these years later, our nation's promise has yet to be fulfilled. We join all Americans of good will in deploring the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police. Over these past months the Society has hosted a number of virtual programs. Even as we now resume our work with the offering of new programs, our attention remains focused on the senseless loss of innocent lives and our commitment to the difficult, necessary conversations and actions we must all take to begin to ensure that such tragedies end. Read more about virtual programming and resources that can be accessed remotely. Read more about the APS response to COVID-19.

David Center for the American Revolution

The David Center for the American Revolution promotes and encourages understanding of the American Revolution as widely as possible.

Latest Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Access to Collections

Fellowships and Grants

Steering Committee

Programming

The David Center for the American Revolution, a collaboration between the David Library of the American Revolution (DLAR) and the APS, is dedicated to supporting scholarship on the American Revolution. The DLAR's Founder, Sol Feinstone, believed that the examination of the Founding Fathers' values and the events of the Revolutionary Period is essential to creating an informed citizenry able to comprehend and adapt those founding principles to the ever evolving circumstances of American society. The Center champions the active engagement of scholars, educators, and the general public of all ages in a continuing and dynamic encounter with this most central episode in the creation of the American nation.

Early American History Collections

Latest Updates

On Thursday, July 9th, at 6 pm we are hosting a virtual program with Gaye Wilson, author of Jefferson on Display: Attire, Etiquette, and the Art of Presentation, entitled "A Final Image: The Thomas Sully Portrait of Thomas Jefferson." Details and registration information can be found here.

If you missed our virtual program on May 13 on Spain's involvement in the American Revolution with Gabriel Paquette and Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia, you can watch the recorded version by clicking the right hand link on the page here.

The Sol Feinstone Manuscript Collection, the Sol Feinstone Slavery Collection, and the rare books collection from the David Library are now accessible at the APS. The finding aid for the Manuscript collection can be found here and the Slavery collection here. You can search through the rare books in the APS online catalogue here and can be requested through the AEON paging system. The extensive microfilm collection will be available for search very shortly.

Congratulations to the inaugural awardees of the David Center for the American Revolution Short-Term Resident Research Fellowships has just been announced. These grants continue the 30-year tradition of the David Library supporting new scholarship on the American Revolution and the Founding Era. We look forward to welcoming Ben Bankhurst (Shepherd University), Christopher Pearl (Lycoming University), Meg Roberts (University of Cambridge), and Robert Wright (Augustana University) once the Library reopens!

Read recent articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Metro Weekly about the partnership between the American Philosophical Society and the David Library of the American Revolution.

Read the letter that recently went out to the David Library community about the transition to the new David Center at the APS to the right.

Read about the partnership between the David Library of the American Revolution and the APS: "Unparalleled Research Center on the American Revolution Coming to the APS"

Read the DLAR Blog (2009-2019)

Download

February 2020 Transition Letter (1.03 MB)

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q. What is the David Center for the American Revolution?

A. The David Center for the American Revolution promotes innovative uses of the David Library’s collections for the study of the American Revolution. It was founded in 1959 by philanthropist Sol Feinstone, operated at Buckstone Farm at Washington’s Crossing, PA (the former home of Sol Feinstone), from 1974-2019, and moved to the American Philosophical Society in 2020. It is open to the public five days a week.

Q: Why is it called the David Center for the American Revolution?

A: Sol Feinstone named the original David Library in honor of his grandson, David Golub, who was born developmentally disabled. In establishing the David Center for the American Revolution, the American Philosophical Society reaffirms Feinstone’s commitment to the study of the revolutionary and founding era.

Q: Who are typical patrons of David Center resources at the American Philosophical Society Library? Is it only for scholars and academics?

A: The American Philosophical Society Library welcomes people interested in the study of the American Revolution from every background and level of academic accomplishment. Patrons include historians (both professional and amateur), doctoral candidates working on dissertations, college students, high school students, individuals researching their family histories, and anyone interested in the era of the American Revolution. No one should ever feel they are too inexperienced to make good use of David Center resources at the American Philosophical Society Library.

Q: Is the American Philosophical Society Library a lending library?

A: No. The American Philosophical Society Library is a “non-circulating” library. Patrons must use Library resources onsite.

Q: Where is the American Philosophical Society Library located?

A. The APS Library is located at 105 South 5th Street, Philadelphia 19106. It is across the street from Independence Hall. You can find a map here.

Q. Do I need an appointment to research at the American Philosophical Society?

A. You do not need an appointment to come to the APS, but if we know you are coming we can have materials ready for you. Information on how to register as a researcher at the APS Reading Room is available here. Please also take advantage of our Ask a Librarian feature to receive remote services.

Q. When will the David Center collections be accessible at the American Philosophical Society?

A. The collections are being packed up and moved in 2020. They will be made accessible at the American Philosophical Society as soon as possible. The Sol Feinstone manuscript collection is already accessible. The extensive microfilm collections are expected to be made available first, followed by the printed books and pamphlets.

Local Patrons

Q. Can I make copies of material from the David Collection?

A. The American Philosophical Society allows users to make copies with handheld cameras. Scans can be made from microfilm and saved to a thumbdrive. Copy services are available for researchers working remotely. More information is available here.

Q. Is there parking available?

A. There are several parking garages within an easy walking distance to the APS Library & Museum. The Bourse Garage is the closest facility, at 4th and Ranstead Streets. Additionally, there are garages at the Independence Visitor Center and the National Constitution Center.

Q. Are there lockers available?

A. Secure lockers are available for storing bags, computer cases, coats, and other items not permitted in the reading room.

Public Program Attendees

Q. Will you still be sponsoring public programs?

A. The David Center will continue the rich tradition of hosting free lectures, conferences, and workshops that illuminate the story of America in the founding era. To see our upcoming events, click here to go to Events or scroll to the bottom of this page. In time, the David Center hopes to present public programs in Bucks County, the community that nurtured the David Library of the American Revolution for over 40 years.

Q. Do I need to register for public programs?

A. The David Center appreciates knowing that you are coming, but an RSVP is not required.

Q. Where are public programs held?

A. The American Philosophical Society most often holds public programs in Franklin Hall, 427 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Occasionally programs are held around the corner at Philosophical Hall, 104 South 5th Street, Philadelphia.

Family Historians

Q. Does the David Center have collections for family history?

A. Yes. The David Center holds one of the most comprehensive collections of primary materials related to the American Revolution on microfilm. Many of these collections are rich in material related to individuals, such as muster rolls, pension records, and town histories.

Q. Is there anyone at the American Philosophical Society that can help me with my research?

A. Library staff are happy to assist with any inquiry pertaining to our specialized collections. Please write to reference@amphilsoc.org to ask a question or set up an appointment.

Q. Are there other resources for researching family history near the APS?

A. There are multiple important collections near the American Philosophical Society. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the most complete and professional genealogy centers in the nation—and the largest in the Mid-Atlantic region. More information available here.

Professional Scholars / Prospective Fellows

Q. Does the David Center offer fellowships?

A. Yes. The American Philosophical Society Library and Museum offers a range of short- and long-term residential fellowships to encourage scholarly use of the Library’s resources. The inaugural David Center of the American Revolution Short-term Resident Research fellowships are due on March 6, 2020. Information is available here.

Q. Does the American Philosophical Society provide housing for fellows?

A. No. The American Philosophical Society does not provide housing for fellows but is happy to assist in helping scholars find housing in Philadelphia.

High School Students

Q. Is the American Philosophical Society open to high school students?

A. High School students interested in researching at the American Philosophical Society are welcome on a case-by-case basis. Interested students should email reference@amphilsoc.org to request an informational interview.

Access to Collections

The David Center for the American Revolution integrates the collections of the David Library with that of the APS to create a one-stop-shop for the study of the American Revolution.

The David Library collections consist of approximately 8,000 volumes, 9,000 reels of microfilm, and the large Sol Feinstone manuscript collection. The Sol Feinstone Collection, a rich collection of letters and documents, was assembled by DLAR Founder Sol Feinstone (1888-1980) over a period of fifty years. It includes material on almost all notable Americans from before the Revolution to the 1850s, as well as prominent Europeans and documents relating to military affairs. There are substantial groups of letters from: John Adams, Henry Dearborn, Alexander Hamilton, Jedidiah Huntington, Thomas Jefferson, Lafayette, George Washington, and a long run of letters from a Massachusetts military surgeon named Samuel Adams. Many letters, though written by revolutionary figures, relate to events that occurred before or after the War.

This adds to the APS Library's Early American History Collections, which are particularly strong for the period from 1750 to 1840. In addition to the Benjamin Franklin Papers and the Thomas Paine Collection, the APS has a wide assortment of documents from the revolutionary era. Among these are official government documents and correspondence, military records that range from the Continental Army to Pennsylvania county records, and personal correspondence from various historical actors. Notable collections of correspondence include the Nathanael Greene Papers, the Peale-Sellers Family Collection, the Richard Henry Lee Papers, and the William Temple Franklin Papers.

Of particular note is the record of the American missions to Europe during the American Revolution. The William Temple Franklin Papers, the Arthur Lee Collection, the Benjamin Franklin Papers, and the Benjamin Franklin Bache collections provide a nearly complete window into America’s diplomatic maneuverings in Europe during the American Revolution.

Finding aids that were previously available on the David Library website can be found to the right. Please check "Latest Updates" above for when the materials they list will be accessible.

Download

Sol Feinstone Manuscript Collection Finding Aid (40.24 MB)

Microform Holdings Finding Aid (502421 B)

British Colonial Office East Florida Records Finding Aid (3.66 MB)

British Colonial Office West Florida Records Finding Aid (2.5 MB)

British Colonial Office Georgia Records Finding Aid (2.03 MB)

British Colonial Office South Carolina Records Finding Aid (5.39 MB)

Dissertations on Microform Finding Aid (58684 B)

Early American Newspapers on Microform Finding Aid (48101 B)

Facsimile Map Finding Aid (906234 B)

Facsimile Print Finding Aid (475765 B)

Prisoners of War Finding Aid (1.6 MB)

Uniform Plates Finding Aid (304090 B)

Fellowships and Grants

The David Center aims to build a community of scholars through a program of long- and short-term fellowships:

David Center for the American Revolution Short-Term Resident Research Fellowships

These fellowships continue the 30-year tradition of the David Library awarding over 200 fellowships to scholars working on projects about the American Revolution and Founding Era. These opportunities provide one month of support for researchers in residence and are open to scholars in all fields who show a demonstrated need to use the collections for their project.

Friends of the APS Predoctoral Fellowship in Early American History (to 1840)

The APS Library offers long-term residential predoctoral fellowships for graduate students working on topics in early American History (to 1840). The 12-month fellowship is intended for advanced Ph.D. students working toward the completion of the dissertation.

Library & Museum Short-Term Resident Research Fellowships

Short-term Fellowships generally support scholars working toward the completion of a dissertation or book. The grant is also open to independent or community-based scholars as well as academic scholars. The grant provides a stipend of $3,000 for 1–3 months of research in residence at the APS.

Steering Committee

Brendan McConville (Co-Chair), Professor of History, Boston University and member of the David Library's Board of Trustees

Patrick K. Spero (Co-Chair), Librarian and Director of the American Philosophical Society Library & Museum

Annette Gordon-Reed, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and Charles Warren Professor of American Legal History, Harvard University

Katherine Grandjean, Associate Professor of History, Wellesley College

Patrick Griffin, the Madden-Hennebry Professor at the University of Notre Dame

Woody Holton, the McCausland Professor of History at the University of South Carolina

Jack Rakove, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, Stanford University

Jeffrey Rosen, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center

R. Scott Stephenson, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution

Programming

The David Center regular holds international conferences, public lectures, family and adult programming, and major exhibitions inspired by the Sol Feinstone Collection.

Spain and the American Revolution

Wednesday, May 13, 1:00pm EDT

Join us for a virtual program on May 13 as Patrick Spero discusses Spain's involvement in the American Revolution with Gabriel Paquette and Gonzalo M. Quintero Saravia. Details and registration here.

Past Programs of interest:

April 7: Paul Myles, The Rise of Thomas Paine and the Case of the Officers of Excise

April 1: Billy G. Smith, Ship of Death: A Voyage That Changed the Atlantic