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Historical Society of Pennsylvania

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Philadelphia's Library of American History. #MakeHistoryYours

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On this day in 1898, the United States assumed control of Puerto Rico. The Foraker Act of 1900 established a civil government on the island, and in 1917, the Jones–Shafroth Act granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans.

This 1918 map illustrates the island and its infrastructure, distinguishing between roads, railways, and bridges built under Spanish rule and those constructed under American governance.

This map is currently featured in our exhibit, “The Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1900s,” on view now through January 15. Click the link in our bio to plan your visit! by @historicalpa

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In October 1839, Joseph Saxton took a daguerreotype of Philadelphia’s Central High School and the Pennsylvania State Arsenal. According to his peers, Saxton created his own apparatus for taking photographs using a cigar box, a glass lens, and a light-sensitive, silver-coated metallic plate.

This photograph, part of HSP’s Treasures Collection, is thought to be the oldest existing American daguerreotype.

#photography #photographyhistory #onlyathsp #makehistoryyours #philadelphiahistory by @historicalpa

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How do the stories we inherit shape the paths we choose? 🏀

This Wednesday, we’re joining WNBA Hall of Famer Valerie Still and ESPN women’s basketball analyst Brenda VanLengen at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for “More Than a Game: Connections and Community in Women’s Sports.”

Valerie, a direct descendant of William Still, the Father of the Underground Railroad, will share how her family’s legacy shaped her career. Then we’ll dig into the history, impact, and community of women’s athletics, and we want to hear your story too.

Arrive early for a display of historic materials on women’s sports in Philadelphia, plus resources from Philly Youth Basketball and the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.

📅 Wed, Oct 14 | 6:30–8 PM
📍 HSP, 1300 Locust St
🎟️ $10 Register ahead; link in bio.

#ThePhiladelphiaSisters #WomenInSports #PhillySports #WomensHistory #WNBA taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @historicalpa

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6 days ago

Looking for an #NHD topic that combines innovation and the ✨best city✨ ever, Philadelphia?

On this #TopicTuesday, why not consider Benjamin Franklin? Founding Father, diplomat, inventor, postmaster, printer…the list goes on! Franklin led a long, complicated, and fascinating life that is ripe with innovation (and influence, and impact, and change)!

From inoculation to electricity to education, Franklin is a great place to start brainstorming topics! The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has one of the largest collections of books owned by Benjamin Franklin, where you can explore Franklin’s own writings, as well as the people and ideas that shaped him.

And for #NHDPhilly 2027, we are happy to announce a new special prize category! This monetary prize will be awarded to the project (in both the Junior and Senior Divisions) that best explores Benjamin Franklin’s contributions to and legacy of innovation.

Looking for more sources on Franklin? Philly has got you covered! Check out The Revolutionary City (therevolutionarycity.org) for incredible Benjamin Franklin resources from NHD Philly partners like @amphilsociety, @foundershallmuseum, @amrevmuseum, @kislakcenter, and more! by @historicalpa

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It’s always been more than a game...

This Wednesday, October 14 at 6:30 PM join us for a special conversation on the history, impact, and community of women’s athletics with:

⭐ Valerie Still, a WNBA Hall of Famer, author, and direct descendant of William Still
⭐ Brenda VanLengen, ESPN award-winning TV play-by-play commentator and analyst for women's basketball
⭐ The Philadelphia Sisters Sports Group

Plus, we'll have representatives from Philly Youth Basketball and the Philly Sports Hall of Fame!

Register now with the link in our bio 👆 taken in Historical Society of Pennsylvania by @historicalpa

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HSP is pleased to announce a selection of new acquisitions! These include additions to existing collections, as well as entirely new collections, including works such as the beautiful botanical drawings pictured here 💐

These prints are part of the newly acquired Pierre Joseph Redouté and Sydenham Edwards botanical drawings collection, which comprises eleven original botanical drawings with watercolor by Belgian artist Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759–1840) and Welsh artist Sydenham Edwards (1768-1819). The drawings are accompanied by printed descriptions in English, Latin, and French. by @historicalpa

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Did you know that October is Family History Month?

Genealogy is core to our collections here at HSP. Generations of people have preserved letters, photos, diaries, and other records that help us uncover the stories of our ancestors.

This month, we want to hear from you in the comments: what family stories have you found? From an oral history, a shoebox in an attic, or at an archive like HSP, what is something you’ve learned about your family’s history?

#familyhistorymonth #genealogy #makehistoryoyurs by @historicalpa

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Alla Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP), vero tempio di memoria storica globale, l’incontro dedicato alla corrispondenza e allo straordinario dialogo intellettuale tra Gaetano Filangieri e Benjamin Franklin ha aperto il 1 ottobre l’Italian Heritage Month.

Il Prof. Amedeo Arena, dell’Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, collegato virtualmente, ha ripercorso il fecondo intreccio di filosofia, pensiero politico e giuridico che animò la corrispondenza tra uno dei padri fondatori degli Stati Uniti e uno dei maggiori illuministi italiani.

Assieme a Mazzei , Beccaria e Paoli, Filangeri contribuì significativamente al dialogo e allo scambio culturale tra le due sponde dell’Atlantico.

Promossa dal Consolato nell’ambito di America250 e realizzata in collaborazione con HSP (sentiti ringraziamenti al Presidente David Brigham e al suo staff) l’iniziativa ha consentito di esporre al pubblico il volume “La Scienza della Legislazione” donato a Franklin da Filangieri nel 1780 e le lettere autografe del giurista napoletano del 1782. 🇮🇹

🇺🇸 At the Historical Society of Pennsylvania (HSP), a true temple of global historical memory, an event dedicated to the extraordinary intellectual dialogue between Gaetano Filangieri and Benjamin Franklin official opened the Italian Heritage Month on October 1.

Professor Amedeo Arena of the University of Naples Federico II, from remote, explored the rich interplay of philosophy, political and juridical thought that shaped the correspondence between one of the Founding Fathers of the US and of the most prominent and enlightened thinker.
Alongside Mazzei, Beccaria and Paoli, Filangieri made a significant contribution to the dialogue and cultural exchange between the two shores of the Atlantic.

Promoted by the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia as part of America250, in collaboration with HSP, the event offered the public the opportunity to view La scienza della Legislazione, the volume donated by Filangieri to Franklin in 1780, as well as the latter’s autograph letters from 1782.
Special thanks to HSP President David Brigham and his outstanding team-Justina, Anthony, Selena and Jenna- for making it possible. taken in Historical Society of Pennsylvania by @historicalpa

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Join HSP and the Consulate General of Italy in Philadelphia this Thursday for an evening exploring one of the earliest intellectual connections between Italy and the United States!

This lecture will be followed by a reception marking both the opening of Italian Heritage Month and the debut of HSP’s exhibition, Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1900s, which explores the evolving communities and identities that have shaped the Commonwealth’s story.

🎟️ Get your free tickets now at the link in bio taken in Historical Society of Pennsylvania by @historicalpa

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20 days ago

Looking back to move forward. ✨⁠
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The cast and creative team of Liberation recently stepped outside the rehearsal room for a special visit to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, where they explored archival materials documenting the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1970s—the history and conversations at the heart of Bess Wohl’s Liberation.⁠
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Our sincere thanks to HSP for opening its archives to our artists and creating an opportunity to connect the past with the stories we’re bringing to the stage.⁠
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And the conversation continues on Saturday, October 17 with Leaders Who Lunch. 🥂⁠
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Join us before the 2 PM performance of Liberation for mimosas, brunch, and a candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and the changing landscape of American theatre with Sara Garonzik, Taibi Magar, and Amina Robinson, and moderated by Rev Dr. Lorina Marshall Blake.⁠
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Your participation supports PTC’s work onstage, in classrooms, and throughout our community.⁠
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Pull up a chair and be part of the conversation.⁠
🎟️ Reserve your place at Leaders Who Lunch through this link⁠
https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/leaders-who-lunch/ by @historicalpa

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Today is Constitution Day 📜

#OnThisDay in 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia.

HSP has a remarkable assemblage of Constitutions, including the first handwritten draft. This early version, penned by Pennsylvania lawyer James Wilson, left room in the margins for corrections and notes.

Among the marginalia is the phrase "freedom of speech," accompanied by a checkmark. This notation suggests that the delegates were considering this right early in the drafting process, though freedom of speech was ultimately not included in the original Constitution. It was later protected by the First Amendment when the Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791.

Celebrate Constitution Day with the Civics Renewal Network's toolkit, linked in our bio 🔗

@appcpenn

#ConstitutionDay #OnThisDayinHistory taken in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by @historicalpa

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A look back to move forward. ✨

As we continue rehearsals for Liberation, members of our cast, director, and PTC Board had the incredible opportunity to visit the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and explore archival materials from Philadelphia’s women’s liberation movement of the 1970s.

Seeing these photographs, documents, stories, and pieces of history up close gave us another opportunity to connect the world of Liberation to the real people and movements that shaped—and continue to shape—the conversations at the heart of the play.

A heartfelt thank you to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for opening your doors to us, thoughtfully curating this experience, and giving our team such special access to these remarkable materials. We are so grateful for your time, knowledge, and generosity. ❤️

Now, experience the story these histories helped inspire. Don’t miss the Philadelphia premiere of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Liberation, onstage October 9–25 at Philadelphia Theatre Company.

🎟️ Get your tickets now at the link in bio.

#LiberationPTC #PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany #PhillyTheatre #WomensHistory #PhiladelphiaHistory BehindTheScenes taken in Historical Society of Pennsylvania by @historicalpa

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