"For as much history as Philadelphia represents, the city no longer has a physical location for its history museum. After the Philadelphia History Museum shuttered in 2018, its collection was transferred to Drexel University. Renamed the Atwater Kent Collection, it contains more than 130,000 objects — and now part of that history will be showcased at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in “Philadelphia Revealed: Unpacking the Attic,” running through Dec. 1.

The new exhibit will spotlight more than 650 artifacts and artworks that represent some 350 years of Philadelphia history, from the nation’s Centennial and Bicentennial souvenirs to sports memorabilia. There’s even an interactive opportunity for visitors to share their own stories about Philadelphia.

Cocurator Page Talbott, director of museum outreach for the Lenfest Center for Cultural Partnerships at Drexel, compares this grouping to the treasures found in an attic. 'Oftentimes, things move to the attic when they’re no longer fitting for your day-to-day life, but they still hold value,' she said. 'So many of these items were not recently displayed, if ever, but they are iconic in the sense that they hold wonderful stories that people can relate to.”'

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Read the full article "Lincoln’s hat and Franklin’s music stand on display in a new show highlighting Philadelphia history" online at inquirer.com by Rosa Cartagena (The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 24, 2024). 

Featured Image: From the opening reception for Philadelphia Revealed: Unpacking the Attack, July 18, 2024. Wyche Studios (Credit); Liz Russell (Photographer)