Firstival: First Public Lending Library in America

Cody Stuhltrager unveils a new sculpture at the Library Company of Philadelphia on Saturday, December 19, as part of the city's 52 Weeks of Firsts series. The piece commemorates the Library Company as America's first public lending library, founded by Ben Franklin.

The unveiling is one of 52 separate events taking place across Philadelphia throughout 2026, each marking a different "first" that happened here. The series is produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. Every Saturday from January 3 to December 26, a new Firstival opens at a site associated with one of those firsts—the Library Company is just one of them, alongside the first professional basketball league and the first electronic computer, ENIAC. Each event is anchored by a #1 Sculpture by a local artist, with the artist's biography and the meaning of the work shared on the day.

Beyond the sculpture, these gatherings follow a set pattern: a themed ceremony, a "Once Upon A Nation" storyteller from Historic Philadelphia Inc., family activities, live music, giveaways, and selfie stations. The committee brings together 22 museums and cultural institutions for the series, including the Betsy Ross House, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and the Museum of the American Revolution. A companion podcast, a PhotoQuest, and a time capsule round out the full year of programming.

If you've been following the series since it kicked off on January 3, this one falls toward the end of the calendar. The Library Company is a heavy hitter in the lineup—Franklin's lending library was a foundational moment for public access to books in the colonies. The event is free to attend.