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Community

Our Next Major Event

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A Workshop for Writers and Poets to Unleash Their Creativity!
Are you struggling with writer's block? Or are you looking to enhance your unique voice?

This two-hour workshop is tailor-made for poets searching for their unique voices. By blending yoga and poetry, artists can mindfully connect with their bodies and breath before crafting their poetry, resulting in more authentic and inspired work.
Dream Poet for Hire and Jahwula specifically designed this workshop to assist poets and writers in discovering their authentic style and overcoming any creative obstacles, such as writer's block.
As a poet, it can be challenging to find your unique voice and style. This workshop provides a safe space to explore and experiment with your poetry, incorporating chair yoga to help you connect with your body and breath. By combining these two practices, you'll be able to unlock new depths of creativity and expression.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn new techniques and strategies to enhance your writing skills. You will be able to connect with other writers and poets, share your work, and receive constructive feedback. Here are some additional details about the workshop:
  • Our experienced wellness instructor, Jahwula, will guide you through various mindfulness exercises to help you focus your mind and tap into your innermost thoughts and emotions.
  • Our experienced Poet, Dream Poet for Hire, will guide you through various exercises that will help you tap into your creativity and express yourself authentically.
  • In addition to the workshops, we also offer a supportive community of writers who are passionate about their craft. You can connect with other writers, share your work, and receive support and encouragement.
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Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to hone your skills, find your voice, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals.
Joining this workshop could be the perfect opportunity for you to deepen your connection with yourself and your writing.
Space Is limited, and we hope to see you there!
Register Here

Ways to Get involved

Here at Philly Typewriter, we believe that typewriters are not just relics from the past, but that they have a place and a purpose in this modern day and age.  

Which is why Bryan Kravitz founded the Philadelphia Public Typewriter Program in the Summer of 2018 with the goal to weave typewriters into the fabric of the society, and make them more accessible to the community at large.

What is the Philadelphia Public Typewriter Program, you ask?

The typewriter was designed and built during a golden age of manufacturing and industry where pride of workmanship and quality was expected.  People who use typewriters today say that it helps slow down their thought process and provides a connection that is lost in our fast-paced world.  But, fully functional typewriters can be hard to come by.
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So, Philly Typewriter has committed to placing vintage, rare, fully working typewriters in hundreds of locations in the Philadelphia area.  It will be a way for people of all generations and diverse communities to connect with typewriters and the non-digital, elegant world they represent.  This program is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in a truly unique Philadelphia community event.

There are three main ways to participate in the program

         —    Host a public typewriter                                        
         —    Donate your unwanted typewriters
         —    Take a class and restore a typewriter for the program  

Let's take a closer look at each of these, shall we?

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A Public Typewriter Program Typewriter placed in A Novel Idea on Passyunk Ave.

Host a public typewriter

As a host location for a public typewriter you will become known as “that cool place with the typewriter.”  We are actively looking for permanent venues in Philadelphia for public machines and we need your help.  Whether you run a youth writing group or own a coffee shop, we would like to hear your ideas for host locations. We believe that the typewriter has a valuable place in today’s culture as many of us crave a slowing to our routines and rhythms in this age of nano-seconds, short attention spans and planned obsolescence– which is why hosting a typewriter is completely free. Please call or email us to register your proposals for locations.

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Bryan with some of the Public Typewriter Program machines all ready to find a home.

Donate your unwanted typewriters

Have a typewriter you  just don't need anymore?  Donate your unwanted typewriters in any condition and we will fix them up and find homes for them as Public Typewriters in Philadelphia. We will keep you up-to-date on the progress of your machine as it goes through the process of being restored and placed into public service.

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Three repair class students holding the newest, finished additions to the program!

Take a class to learn how to restore typewriters while restoring one for the program

Join Bryan Kravitz, founder of Philly Typewriter and 47-year veteran of typewriter repair, as he and his team gently guide you in the art of typewriter maintenance and restoration. You will learn how to properly clean, lubricate and grease a typewriter, how to wind your own ribbon…and much, much more. You will gain the basic skills of typewriter repair and restoration so that you can work on machines of your own if you choose to. At the end of your sessions you will have a completed, working typewriter that will be put into service in the community. These classes take place during our normal work days, so you not only get to repair a typewriter, but you actually get to work alongside our dedicated staff too!

 Repair Class Pricing 2023

Basic Repair Class: $400 - This four week basic course covers the repair of a post war Royal standard typewriter. Cost includes all materials including new rubber components! 
Private Repair Class: $600 - This one day repair course takes you through the four week class over the course of a full workday at the shop.  A fantastic option for those out of state. Please call for availability!
Add-Ons:
Youth Addition: $75 - Children over the age of 9 are more than welcome to join an adult at their bench for the repair course. 
Take the machine with you!: $200 - After all that hard work, you might fall in love with the machine you've restored! For this additional fee, that machine can come with you at the completion of the class.
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* Prices subject to change, please call or email to register *

2023 Repair Class Schedule

May 2023

Wednesdays starting the 3rd - 1pm-4pm - 3 spots left
Saturdays starting the 6th - 12pm-3pm - 
​1
 spot left

June 2023

Wednesdays starting the 7th - 1pm-4pm - 3 spots left
Saturdays starting the 3rd - 12pm-3pm - 
​1
 spot left

July 2023

Wednesdays starting the 5th - 1pm-4pm - 3 spots left
Saturdays starting the 8th - 12pm-3pm - 
​1
 spot left
* Make ups are available for one missed class, holiday scheduling to be discussed at time of registration. *

Typewriters have an incredibly rich history that we think should be more accessible to the public. Fall 2022 we've introduced The Philly Typewriter Lecture Series.

Bryan Kravitz is taking Philly Typewriter on the road with a lecture series exploring the history of the typewriter. From the mind of Christopher Latham Sholes and the rise of the IBM Selectric to the typewriter’s life at home and in the workplace, registrants will get a deep understanding of the impact of typewriter throughout history, then and now. This series will take place at the Parkway Central Library here in Philadelphia.  These lectures will not be live streamed or recorded, and seating is limited so enroll soon!  

2022 - 2023 Lecture Series Schedule

November 30th - The Writing Instrument: Typewriter Origins
January 18th - Typewriter Cause & Effect
​February 15th - The Typewriter in the Workplace
March 15th - Innovations & Standardization of the Typewriter
April 19th - The Personal Life of the Typewriter
May 17th - IBM & The Rise of the Selectric
June 21st - The Typewriter Revolution of Today
August 18th - Philly Typewriter: The Age of Restoration & Preservation

*These lectures are free, but registration is required
here
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Please sign up for our monthly newsletter on the bottom of the home page and stay connected to the Philadelphia Typewriter community and to keep up to date on our exhibits!

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Appointments required for Restoration consultation.
Showroom Open 9-5 Mon - Fri & 10-3 on Saturdays
Call or email to schedule an appointment.​ ​

 
info@phillytypewriter.com
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(267) 541-2100

1735 E. Passyunk Avenue
​Philadelphia, PA 19148

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