Exploring the City
Temple University Libraries Spring 2012 Programs
Perhaps the phrase that best describes the 21st century city is "constant evolution." The diversity of arts, business, architecture and people, the dynamism between city planning, politics and neighborhoods—these elements constantly shift and interact to make a city unique.
Temple University Libraries will explore the many elements that comprise today's city from a variety of perspectives: academics, authors, artists, citizens, planners, civic leaders, preservationists and more. Visit us this spring!
Vincent Feldman and the Abandoned City
Tuesday, March 13, 4:30 PM
Paley Library
1210 Polett Walk
Photographer Vincent Feldman has made a career of capturing the architectural ghosts of our city, the remainders of our built environment that have been rendered obsolete by the constant changes of the city and nation. His photography captures commercial, cultural and government buildings left vacant throughout Philadelphia. Join Feldman in conversation with Temple's Ken Finkel (pictured on the right) as they discuss Feldman's artistic oeuvre around the abandoned city.
Philadelphia and the "Makeshift Metropolis"
Tuesday, March 20, 11:00 AM
Ritter Annex Building. Kiva Auditorium
1301 Cecil B. Moore Ave.
Architect, urbanist and University of Pennsylvania professor Witold Rybczynski shares ideas from his recent book "Makeshift Metropolis" and discusses them within the Philadelphia context. Joining the discussion with Rybczynski is a distinguished panel who will ground the promise of urban place by introducing Philadelphia examples.
Bettye Collier-Thomas on Women's History
Thursday, March 22, 2:00 PM
Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection
1330 Polett Walk
Join us for the annual Women's History Month program. This year's program features Temple's own Bettye Collier-Thomas. A professor in the Department of History and the former director of the Temple University Center for African American History and Culture, Collier-Thomas is also a Distinguished Lecturer for the Organization of American Historians. She is the founder and served as the first executive director of the Bethune Museum and Archives in Washington, D.C., the nation's first museum and archives for African American women's history.
Centennial Celebrations in the City: Philadelphia, Historical Memory and America's Biggest Birthday Parties
Wednesday, March 28, 2:30 PM
Paley Library
1210 Polett Walk
1876 and 1976 saw the launch of two massive national celebrations originating right here in Philadelphia. In 1876, we hosted America's first World's Fair timed with the nation's centennial celebration. And, one hundred years later, we did it all over again to celebrate America's bicentennial birthday. Join us to discuss the impact these celebrations had on Philadelphia and what large, national celebrations have to say about our culture with scholars Malgorzata Rymsza-Pawlowska (pictured on the left) and Susanna Gold.
Programs will continue throughout the semester, so be sure to check out our full schedule!
