Author speaks
Phoenixville Public Library will host a talk by author Paul Kahan on his new book, “Philadelphia: A Narrative History,” on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 6:30 PM. Philadelphia is famous for its colonial and revolutionary buildings and artifacts, which draw tourists from far and wide to gain a better understanding of the nation’s founding. Philadelphians, too, value these same buildings and artifacts for the stories they tell about their city. But Philadelphia existed long before the Liberty Bell was first rung, and its history extends well beyond the American Revolution. In Philadelphia: A Narrative History, Paul Kahan presents a comprehensive portrait of the city, from the region’s original Lenape inhabitants to the myriad of residents in the twenty-first century. Books will be available for purchase and signing at this event. Kahan is a leading expert on U.S. political, economic, and diplomatic history. He earned his Ph.D. in U.S. history from Temple University, and has published several books, including Eastern State Penitentiary: A History and Amiable Scoundrel: Simon Cameron, Lincoln’s Scandalous Secretary of War. Find out more about Dr. Kahan and his work by visiting his website, www.paulkahan.com and his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pkahan. This event is free and open to the public. The program will also be livestreamed on Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/kahan-philadelphia or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email [email protected] for more information. Phoenixville Public Library is located at 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville.
Afternoon movie
Phoenixville Public Library will host its next “Afternoon at the Movies”, a free, monthly, daytime film screening for adults, on Friday, Nov. 22, at a special early start time of 1:15 PM. This event is free and open to the public. More information on the film being shown and required registration are available at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/afternoon-at-the-movies or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. For more information, email [email protected].
U.S. Passports
Phoenixville Public Library will host a free presentation, “Passports 101: Everything You Need to Know to Apply for a U.S. Passport,” on Monday, Nov. 25, at 6:30 PM. Mark Pinto, the Library’s passport services manager, will be the presenter. Planning travel in 2025? Apply for a U.S. passport book or card at Phoenixville Public Library! A passport book or card is also Real ID compliant. As of May 7, 2025, U.S. travelers must have a Real ID to board all domestic flights. In this free presentation, you will learn everything you need to know to submit a successful passport application — from identification and citizenship requirements to parental consent, name changes, fees, and more. This event is free and open to the public. The program will also be livestreamed on Zoom for those unable to attend in person. Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/passports-101 or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email [email protected] for more information.
Free concert
Phoenixville Public Library will present a free concert by the Pennsylvania Philharmonic Holiday Brass Ensemble on Tuesday, Nov. 26, from 6-7 PM at the Library. Get into the holiday spirit with the Pennsylvania Philharmonic Holiday Brass Ensemble. Experience the festive sounds of the season in a concert filled with familiar melodies like “Santa Baby,” “A Christmas Festival,” You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and classic carols. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required at https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/Phoenixville/holiday-brass-concert or by calling 610-933-3013 x132. Email [email protected] for more information.
Book discussion
The Fourth Wednesday Readers, Phoenixville Public Library’s daytime book discussion group for adults of all ages, meets at the Library on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at 1:00 PM. The group will discuss James McBride’s acclaimed, bestselling novel, “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store.” In 1972, when workers in Pottstown, Montgomery County, were digging the foundations for a new development, the last thing they expected to find was a skeleton at the bottom of a well. Who the skeleton was and how it got there were two of the long-held secrets kept by the residents of Chicken Hill, the dilapidated neighborhood where immigrant Jews and African Americans lived side by side and shared ambitions and sorrows. Chicken Hill was where Moshe and Chona Ludlow lived when Moshe integrated his theater and where Chona ran the Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. When the state came looking for a deaf boy to institutionalize him, it was Chona and Nate Timblin, the Black janitor at Moshe’s theater and the unofficial leader of the Black community on Chicken Hill, who worked together to keep the boy safe. Book and audiobook copies may be reserved at https://chesp.na.iiivega.com. eBook and eAudiobook copies may be reserved at https://chester.overdrive.com. This event is free and open to the public. No registration required. Email [email protected] for more information.
Craft class
Phoenixville Public Library will host a drop-in craft class for adults to “Create a Memorial Star Ornament” on Saturday, Nov. 30, between 1-3 PM. The holiday season can be a difficult time to cope with loss. This holiday season cope creatively with ceramic artist and Phoenixville native Maureen Donovan Garcia by creating a one-of-a-kind memorial star ornament to honor and remember your lost loved one. Maureen will have precut clay stars for participants to decorate, along with alphabet and various other stamps for embellishing. She will kiln fire and deliver the ornaments to the Library for pickup at a later date. Creators may then adorn their stars with whatever they’d like to complete their treasured memorial. This event is free and open to the public. Please note one star per person, while supplies last. No registration required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 610-933-3013 x132.
