The Philosophical Research Society is many things: a sanctuary in a busy and crowded city; a center for growth and education; a space full of art and inspiration. In the myriad shapes and forms it takes on—through the library, the auditorium, the gallery, the bookstore, the lecture room—PRS is alchemized into something familiar and beautiful: this is a place of Community.

Founded by Manly Palmer Hall in 1934, PRS was and still is powered by the people. Hall understood the importance of a third space, and in creating one of the largest esoteric libraries in the country, dedicated to the "ensoulment of all arts, sciences, and crafts", PRS was built brick by brick by supporters—names that move with the ages. It is not a monument to any person or ideology. It is, as Hall stated, an "eternal monument to the spirit of truth-seeking and truth-loving in all people".

As education and free thought are being threatened, the urgent need for such spaces is more important than ever. As many small not-for-profits struggle to hold on in the modern age, it is necessary not only to provide a lifeline, but to ensure such spaces thrive. Like the world PRS came into, “when division, separation, and conflict can no longer be endured if we are to survive,” our current moment requires strength and support. Simply put: we cannot do this without you.

It is up to us in the present to keep PRS moving into the future and this can only happen through donations and continued support.

This May, as we celebrate the sixty-sixth anniversary of the auditorium dedication ceremony held on May 16, 1959, and all of the individuals who helped build it "brick by brick" with their donations, we are looking to raise enough funds to help support our operations and programs throughout the end of the year. Your donation will ensure that we are able to continue hosting affordable events that uplift our community, provide free public hours to our library, and sustain our historical landmarked buildings. We continue to honor the legacy of Mr. Hall today through our esoteric library, educational programs, and publishing efforts, and in our ability to keep PRS a space funded by community.

Thank you to everyone who is part of the PRS community for your ongoing support.

If you would like to learn more about sponsoring a specific event series, publishing effort, building upgrade or library project please email contact@prs.org.

"Friends, this occasion, we sincerely hope and believe, establishes a precedent that will go far beyond the small and humble work that we can do. This Society has been created for the people, by the people. It has not been given to us by government or by special groups. It represents a statement of our sincere belief that certain ideals must be preserved, certain principles must continue, certain truths must be more generally known, if our civilization and our way of life are to endure...

And after us will come others—and we hope they will build better and stronger than we can build-and they will also be truth seekers. And in the search for eternal value, the past, present, and the future are united in one eternal structure."

-Manly Palmer Hall, PRS Auditorium Dedication Ceremony, May 16, 1959

Fundraiser for the Future of PRS!

By Philosophical Research Society Inc

Fundraiser for the Future of PRS!

Help PRS continue to host affordable community events, keep the library free to the public, maintain the historical landmarked buildings, and keep our doors open