The Rosenbach

Situated within two fancy 19th-century town homes in Rittenhouse, this museum and library boasts a world-class collection of historic letters, manuscripts, literature and rare books collected by brothers Philip Rosenbach and Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach. Most notable among that collection is Lewis Carroll’s personal copy of Alice in Wonderland, a letter from George Washington known to be the earliest of its kind in existence, a first edition of Don Quixote and the original manuscript of Ulysses and a wealth of other James Joyce papers. On top of the literary treastures, guests can also ogle elegant 18th-century furnishings owned by the Rosenbach family, such as rare Persian rugs and artworks by Thomas Sully. To encourage folks it to visit the remarkable and sometimes overlooked digs, the Rosenbach hosts a variety of fun, Ulysses-themed events throughout the year, like an extensive reading group and a Bloomsday festival in June.