04/28/2026
This Saturday, May 2, 2026, join Dr. Guy Sims in sharing your voice!
Two hundred and fifty years ago, Philadelphia ignited new thinking about freedom. It’s time to check in and see what Philly is thinking today.
The Free Library invites everyone, in every neighborhood of Philadelphia, to join us in this oral history project “To Be Free.” Come to a Free Library location and share your response to one basic and fundamental question, “What does it mean to be free?”
The library will be collecting these recordings as a time capsule for future generations to understand Philadelphia today. People of all ages are encouraged to participate. Children can also draw an answer on special coloring sheets, showing off how they visualize freedom today.
“To Be Free” is one of hundreds of Free Library programs that bring important civic topics to all neighborhoods of Philadelphia during the America250 year. See freelibrary.org/250 for more about To Be Free and our exhibits, arts, music, and other events.