Pennsylvania Senate Library

Pennsylvania Senate Library The Senate Library is a research and legislative law library, with exhibits open to the public daily

in 1784, Franklin County became an independent jurisdiction. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin.
09/13/2026

in 1784, Franklin County became an independent jurisdiction. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin.

in 1776, the Continental Congress formally declares the name of the new nation to be the "United States" of America. T...
09/09/2026

in 1776, the Continental Congress formally declares the name of the new nation to be the "United States" of America. This replaced the term "United Colonies." Painting by Allyn Cox of "The First Continental Congress."

that former state Senator Harry Emmitt Seyler (1955-1962) of the 28th district was an actor? Seyler performed in over...
09/08/2026

that former state Senator Harry Emmitt Seyler (1955-1962) of the 28th district was an actor? Seyler performed in over 50 plays at the York Little Theatre now known as The Belmont Theatre in York, PA.

The Senate Library has legal books and archives - but we also collect books written by state Senators, like, An Examinat...
09/04/2026

The Senate Library has legal books and archives - but we also collect books written by state Senators, like, An Examination of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, written by former Senator Charles Rollins Buckalew in 1883.

On display in the Senate Library are our early 20th century Underwood #5 typewriters. Standard issue for Senate member...
09/01/2026

On display in the Senate Library are our early 20th century Underwood #5 typewriters. Standard issue for Senate members at the Capitol between 1900 and 1930, these machines were found and preserved by the Library in 2008.

in 1859, Edwin Drake struck oil near Titusville, Pennsylvania, sparking America’s first oil boom and establishing PA a...
08/27/2026

in 1859, Edwin Drake struck oil near Titusville, Pennsylvania, sparking America’s first oil boom and establishing PA as the birthplace of the commercial oil industry in the U.S. Photo of the first well ever drilled for petroleum in the U.S. with Drake in the foreground.

People often ask us, what is our oldest book?📖Our records begin in 1683, with a collection called "The Colonial Records"...
08/26/2026

People often ask us, what is our oldest book?📖Our records begin in 1683, with a collection called "The Colonial Records". Printed in the 1800's, The Colonial Records include archives from before Pennsylvania was even a state.

that the present Capitol has always had electricity? The light bulbs were very dim, so the architects put globes on th...
08/24/2026

that the present Capitol has always had electricity? The light bulbs were very dim, so the architects put globes on the light fixtures with a diamond pattern on the exterior to make the light seem brighter.

The Senate Library and the Majority Caucus room are two of the only rooms in the Capitol that are still used for this or...
08/20/2026

The Senate Library and the Majority Caucus room are two of the only rooms in the Capitol that are still used for this original purpose! With research and access to legal precedent being critical to law making, we've always been an important resource for our lawmakers.📚

that former Senator Jeanette F. Reibman, born on this day in 1915, was the first female Democratic member elected to t...
08/18/2026

that former Senator Jeanette F. Reibman, born on this day in 1915, was the first female Democratic member elected to the state Senate? She served the 18th district from 1967 to 1994 and was also the first woman elected to the Democratic Leadership in 1991.

Address

157 Pennsylvania Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA
17120

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17177876120

Website

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