Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia

Tacony Adds Tips for Topics

cmires — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 22:15:48 +0000

Our latest information session took place on Saturday, February 27, at the branch library in Tacony, “the community that bridges yesterday with tomorrow.” Among the library’s treasures are the minute books of the Keystone Scientific and Literary Association, founded in Tacony in 1876. To stir up interest, the association organized a debate on the topic, “Are athletic sports, as at present conducted, beneficial to the students?” The next debate tackled the question, “Does the reading of novels have a beneficial effect upon the community?” We can only hope some debate occurred on January 23, 1877, when a Rev. Mr. Kidder lectured on the topic, “Dry as dust — the Historian” ! Thanks to our hosts at Tacony and to everyone who suggested topics for the Encyclopedia. These are now posted on-line, and we look forward to receiving more in the suggestion box that will remain at the library for the month of March.

Join Us: The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:07:17 +0000

Our public discussion of Greater Philadelphia history and issues expands this spring with the introduction of the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, a forum for community dialogue that will help shape the future content of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. With the help of many civic partners, four programs have been organized for this spring. Please visit our Events page or our Eventbrite listings for complete information. (Advance registration will help us assure enough seats for everyone at these events.) The Eventbrite listings allow you to email your own electronic invitations to these events, post them on Facebook, or alert your followers on Twitter – please do!

This program has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ We the People initiative on American History.

National Constitution Center Joins Advisory Board

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:20:16 +0000

We are pleased to welcome the National Constitution Center to our Civic Advisory Board. These important partners provide guidance to assure that The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia project creates civic benefits and meets community needs. To learn more about the National Constitution Center, visit the web site http://www.constitutioncenter.org .

West Philadelphia Weighs In

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:56:25 +0000

Visitors to the Walnut Street West branch of the Free Library began adding their suggestions for the Encyclopedia at our information table on February 16. A suggestion box will remain at the library for two weeks (until around March 2), so continue to add your ideas! Nominations of topics also are welcome on this web site, where we have already posted some submissions from Walnut Street West.

Holmesburg Helps Us Make History

cmires — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:04:31 +0000

Thanks to our new friends in Holmesburg for hosting our first branch library information table. We collected many new ideas for the Encyclopedia as people in this active library came in to do homework, browse for new books and DVDs, and catch up with their neighbors. The suggestions we received are posted on our “Nominate a Topic” page, and the suggestion box will remain at the library for the rest of February. For more information sessions at branch libraries this month, check out our events list.

Support from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:26:50 +0000

A newly-awarded grant from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council will allow us to launch the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, a series of public forums for dialogue that will help shape the contents of the Encyclopedia. The first sessions of the roundtable, beginning in March, will respond to suggestions received on this web site and at our Civic Partnership and Planning Workshop last year. See our Events calendar for details of the first three roundtables, and watch for an additional session that is being planned on African American history. Each session will feature new research, lively discussion, and the opportunity to contribute ideas for Encyclopedia topics.

Check Us Out at the Library

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 05:16:43 +0000

During February, we will visit four branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia to spread the word about the Encyclopedia project and gather public input. Look for us at the Holmesburg branch on Tuesday, February 2, 4-6 p.m.; the Lovett branch on Thursday, February 11, 3-5 p.m.; Walnut Street West on Tuesday, February 16, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and the Tacony branch on Saturday, February 27, 1-3 p.m. A suggestion box will be placed in each branch after the information session to gather additional suggestions for Encyclopedia topics.

Our New Look

cmires — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:55:47 +0000

We are pleased to present new content and a new look for The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia web site. Thanks to Brian Jacobs at Avencia Inc., our site is more attractive, easier to navigate, and offers more ways to become involved with the project. The site also demonstrates our commitment to highlight the resources of the region by presenting and linking organizations, historic sites, and collections. Our banner images come from the collections of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania; the color thumbnail photographs appear by courtesy of ushistory.org; and our home page features historical photographs from the Philadelphia City Archives.

Along with the new look, we introduce the first essays produced for the Encyclopedia. Each includes links to historic sites and collections, and each offers the opportunity to add stories and offer suggestions or corrections. Watch for new topics as we begin to build The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia!

Nominate A Topic

admin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:21 +0000

What would you like to know about Philadelphia and its history? Nominate a topic and tell us why you’d like to see it in The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. To submit your ideas to the editors, simply scroll to the bottom of this page.

Bibliographic Survey Expanded

cmires — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:19:47 +0000

Our survey of recently published works about Philadelphia now covers books, articles, and dissertations since 1982. To find the most up-to-date research on numerous topics, link to the survey on our Bibliographic Survey page.