Activity Overview
In 1954, the estate of the Rosenbach brothers, collectors of rare books, manuscripts, antiques and art, was organized into a museum in Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach's stately, 19th-century townhouse.
Things to See & Do
Visitors to the townhouse and the mansion next door into which the museum expanded in 2002, can see first-edition copies of such literary masterpieces as Don Quixote and Alice in Wonderland.
Also on display are handwritten manuscripts, such as James Joyce's Ulysses and an early letter from George Washington, as well as illustrations from famous authors, in particular Maurice Sendak.
- Children especially will enjoy the exhibit dedicated to Maurice Sendak, the famous author of Where The Wild Things Are and 108 other books, who decided to house all his sketches, drawings, and manuscripts in the Rosenbach Museum.
- Watch an interview of Sendak in which he talks about his upbringing and path toward becoming an author and illustrator.
The Rosenbach Museum and Library Insider Tips
- Free, guided tours are offered on the hour.
- Hands-on tours during which you can turn the page of a rare book or inspect a classic manuscript are offered on Fridays and Sundays at 3:00.
