Closed in 2018 the Philadelphia History Museum once stood proudly. It occupied a landmark Greek Revival building. This stunning structure was designed by John Haviland. He also designed Eastern State Penitentiary. The building was erected between 1824 and 1826. Originally it housed the Franklin Institute.
The Philadelphia History Museum wasn’t always a museum. A. Atwater Kent a radio pioneer and inventor purchased the building. He gifted it to the city in 1938. It became a public history museum after renovations by the Works Progress Administration. It opened its doors in 1941. For many years it was known as the Atwater Kent Museum.
Inside the Philadelphia History Museum’s walls lay a treasure trove. Over 80000 objects documented Philadelphia’s rich history. This collection included artifacts from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Seventeenth to twentieth-century items were housed here. There were also 1700 Quaker-related items. The museum boasted a captivating array of Philadelphia manufacturing exhibits. Exhibits on the 1876 Centennial Exposition were also featured. Toys miniatures and radio broadcasting history filled other galleries.
Imagine seeing Joe Frazier’s boxing gloves up close. Picture yourself gazing at George Washington’s desk. A drinking glass once owned by Benjamin Franklin was another highlight. A wampum belt allegedly gifted to William Penn by the Lenape was on display. These artifacts were just a glimpse into the museum’s vast collection.
Sadly the Philadelphia History Museum faced challenges. Declining attendance and financial difficulties led to its closure. The city transferred the collection to Drexel University. Drexel University preserves the collection. It is now known as the Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel. While the building stands silent the history lives on. The Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel ensures Philadelphia’s story continues. You can explore it online. The legacy of the Philadelphia History Museum continues.