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.
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.
Connecting the Past with the Present, Building Community, Creating a Legacy
A few more ideas (if not fully-formed topics) from one of the March 23 discussion groups that didn’t make it on to comment cards (apologies for any duplication):
– the story of the Yorktown neighborhood — a predominantly African American, planned, middle-class housing development in the middle of North Phila, est. in 1961 on the site of a former “slum” neighborhood and still thriving
– Universities’ relationships (or lack thereof) to their surrounding neighborhoods — institutions’ role in development, gentrification, etc. See Penn, Temple, Drexel
– the image of Philadelphia – perception (of outsiders, the media, and the residents themselves) vs. reality
– Is neighborhood identity stronger than any city-wide identity? What are the implications of this?
– the greater Philadelphia identity – the geographic range of people who identify as Philadelphians, from Delaware County to the Jersey Shore, and what it means from community to community
The following topics were suggested by participants in the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable program, “City of Brotherly Love,” on March 23, 2011, at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:
— Penitentiary movement
— Chronology of prison populations and crime
— WEB DuBois
— Flow over time of immigrants – which groups when? Why?
— Mental health organizations
— 1870s civil rights court case
— “For better or worse, Philadelphia is most known for the actions of the political leaders of the American Revolution, most of whom were not from the city. I would like the Encyclopedia to emphasize the contributions of Philadelphians during the American Revolution.”
— Fort Wilson Riot
Constitution of 1776
— Free Quaker Movement
— Betsy Ross
— Pennsylvania Line Mutiny
— Winchester Exiles
— History of the Philadelphia Civic Flag — and Dr. Rev. Henry C. McCook
— Business corridors – why all neighborhoods do not have one
— Entrepreneurs focus on micro / small business
— Redlining in real estate
— Education regarding minorities (Latin American, Asian, African American) vs. Caucasians
— Neighborhood media – Media news identify Caucasian-populated neighborhoods differently than neighborhoods where people of color live. ie, crimes highlighted more than good.
— Religious influences and varieties
— Good deeds, stories of neighbors helping neighbors
— LGBT history of Philadeolphia, pre-Stonewall (NYC, 1969)
— Philadelphia as the major trade port in the USA in the days of Stephen Girard
— Separate section on “Philadelphia diction” – why has the Fluffya accent proved so durable – and impervious to correction?
— The role of clubs in the social fabric of the city – from the Philadelphia Club to the Fralinger string band club to North Philly jazz club to boccie clubs to VFW clubs
— How religion divides our community
— Our city’s private clubs and their significance (ie: the Franklin Inn Club and the Union League)
— Different ethnicities who built Philadelphia and their experience
— Immigration populations 1680 to date
— Civil rights – history over time
— Pre-English (Lenape, French, Swedish, etc)
— Urban vs suburban mythology
— Urban bachelorhood
— History of city media
— The contribution of the ethnic communities to Philadelphia’s growth and progress – not just the African Ameircans
— Maritime history, FIshtown and Shackamaxon
— Poverty – past, present and future
— Pockets of neglect, past, present, and future, and what tips a neighborhood one way or the other
— Food production in Philadelphia during WWI and WWII (women’s land army, victory gardens, etc.)
— Black Power Movement in Philly
— Philly’s economic history
— The immigrant experience
— The history of particular industries in the city and region
— Role of the arts in Philadelphia
Excellent format, important initiative. As an historian I suggest that Philadelphia’s Future be added. I’ve written an essay “Philly’s Choice” http://www.greenjobsphilly.org/static_choice.php
We need a comprehensive history of development of the Delaware waterfront,
from the founding and then step by step the changes–creation of Delaware Avenue (with bequest of Girard), connection to islands and their destruction, all land fills and RRs, steamship terminal at foot of Washington Avenue.
Deepening of channel and 20th C. landfills and piers, leading to 18 acres(?) of Penn’s Landing. Decision to build I-95.
What is next?
I’d like to know more about the early factories and how they contributed to westward expansion. I have noticed lot’s of references to a shovel factory in the Germantown or Cheltenham area, where many men worked in the mid-1800s. I see those men in later censuses in Ohio, Iowa, Chicago as workers, foremen in factories there.
Philadelphia was an important center for silverware manufacturing and the precious metals trades. The trades were also interrelated with the Philadelphia Mint. It is a subject area not to be neglected.
I would like to contribute an essay on the history of metropolitan Philadelphia. Other potential topics in my expertise are segregation, hip hop, and oral history.
I would love to read about and especally see old photos of the roxborough manayunk section of philadelphia. This section of philadelphia holds a lot of history. thanks
I would like to know more about the origin and history of services to the poor in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Philanthropy
“The word ‘Philanthropy’ has its roots in the Greek language meaning “love for mankind..” It was never meant to apply only to donors of thousands or millions of dollars” (Arthur C. Frantzreb) The name of our city shares that name and that meaning. I would love to see more of the youthful and diverse groups of Philadelphia contribute to our long history of giving back by getting involved in voluntarism and organized philanthropy.
We received the following topics suggestions from comment cards collected during a session at the annual conference of the Pennsylvania Historical Association on October 16, 2010:
– Greater Philadelphia as a destination (immigrants / escaping slaves / trade)
– Impact of Haitian Revolution (refugees – social and cultural impact / politics / trade)
– Violence, politics, society (nativist, racial, political)
– History of religion in the Philadelphia area
– Women
– Slavery
– National politics
– Pennsylvania politics
– Speakers of PA House
– Native Americans
[The comment cards also posed a question: Will there be chronologies? Yes, there will be chronologies, which we envision as a convenient point of access to other topics as well as one of many starting points for exploring the Encyclopedia’s contents.]
We need to learn more about the Eastern Europeans–Poles, Czechs, Russians, and other Slavs–who have contributed to U.S. History and Philadelphia History. In response to J. R. Veal, the Poles were among the first entrepreneurs in the United States, having set up a glass factory in Jamestown in the early 1600s. There are nearly 30 millions Americans of Polish descent, not to mention those from other Eastern European economies. Yes, we need to discuss Black Americans in the Encyclopedia of
Greater Philadelphia, but we also need to give due credence to the other ethnic groups. Let’s not forget Bridesburg!
Some few other topics/themes I didn’t see covered were the “Philadelphia Dialect or speaking Phluffyan”; “pre-European Philadelphia”; the “history of Volunteerism in the city”; the “Philadelphia Diaspora” and its cultural/linguistic impact on other areas of the country. Best of luck on this worthy project.
As a financial planner for over 15 yrs, I believe one of the most dubious topics that we very little education on is economical development. We need to bring in Black Entrepreneurs to help educate our communities about the importance of teaching, educating, and help build businesses. We have been in the U.S. since the 1600’s and we are still in the worst economical level of most culturals but spend close to $950 billion as consumers. Please, bring me in along with other business owners to tackle and possibly put a dent in increasing our buying power in our own communities. Thx
The following nominations were collected on comment cards at the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable on May 11, 2010: “Philadelphia’s Black Attorneys: Not Just Lawyers, But ‘Social Engineers'”.
— Legal injustice in the black community.
— Blacks in medicine.
— Blacks in education.
— Making higher education accessible for blacks.
— History of black lawyers in Philadelphia.
— Support of black lawyers by black clients.
— Analysis of gentrification.
— Education scholarship / mentor programs.
— Hypocrisy vs democracy.
— History of hundreds of years ago remains the same. What is a good teacher? What is a good school?
— Prison = modern-day slavery; prison industrial complex; lack of education.
— Grace Jackson, Philadlephia entertainer.
— Racism and employment.
— Programs that lawyers have created to help Black people particularly the youth. How can we uplift our youth?
— Race, politics, economics, law.
— Find common ground.
— Can you be a social attorney in corporate America.
— Decline of Blacks in law school. What does it signify? Status – cutoff money — flagship school — need grades — anti-affirmative action.
— What issues should attorneys be focusing on?
— The concept of reparations as a way to remedy unjust enrichment caused by slavery.
— City planning history in Philadelphia (e.g., how/why the city was laid out the way it was).
— Discussion of repration and how it may come about.
— Major legal accomplishments in Philadelphia.
— Landmarks of protests, battles.
— Law/family law: nursing home – what are rights of the family and parents. Insurances – home, family, car.
— Cecil B. Moore, Esq.
— Evolution of some neighborhoods.
— African history, grassroot level.
— Economic development
— The true savage nature of slavery and the effects on the African psyche.
— Achievements of African Americans throughout history.
— As a law student, I would like to be challenged to contribute more.
— We need a program to reach young African Americans (elementary school, high school) of the possibility of a law career. It should be guided given a historical overview of African and African American history.
— There should be tracks committed to the African community (i.e., law career).
— Many young people, high school students desire employment. Unfortunately, they are not prepared by the public school system to apply for vacant positions. Is it possible to have a sponsored job-readiness training workshop available after the school day has ended and during the summer? Some young people do not even know that a resume is needed, or what a cover letter is.
— I’d like to see community involvement IN THE COMMUNITY on a regular basis. Regular everyday people (some of them) are afraid to even speak to lawyers.
I have been doing extensive research on the people who lived in the Powelton Village neighborhood in University City. There are numerous individuals who should be included in any encyclopedia of Philadelphia. As a start, I nominate Hanah Schoff.
I know there is a special interest in 20th century women. A good person to start with is Hannah Schoff. First, she almost single handedly pushed through Philadelphia’s juvinile justice system in 1901 – only the 2nd after Jane Adams’s success in Chicago. Second, from 1902-1920, she was president of the National Congress of Women which was founded in 1897. Although it is not remembered under that name, Schoff developed it into a truely national organization that became the PTA (Parent Teachers Association).
I’ve written a brief bio of her which is available at:
http://poweltonvillage.org/interactivemap/Biographies/Post-SchoffJune09.pdf
I would like to know more about the community of “free blacks” that has been in Holmesburg since before the Civil War. I belonged to Emmanuel Episcopal Church as a child and my mother told me about it…but she had very little information.
The following suggestions were submitted on comment cards during the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable, “Imagining Philadelphia’s Future: The Plans and the Realities,” held April 22, 2010, at the Academy of the Natural Sciences:
— How can prisons, casinos, and other growth industries be “utilized” to restore and reuse/recycle major sites in Phila., such as Eastern State and also SS United States?
— Communities in Philadelphia: ethnic, geographic, vocaitonal, business/economic/industrial. How do communities form, evolve, and fade away?
— Role of developers. Planning Philadelphia has often circumvented by the need for jobs in the near term.
— Politics
— Casinos in PA
— Eminent Domain for improvements
— History of Transit in Philly
— Plumbing
— Electrical power
— Gardens
— Creeks (underground & above ground)
— The history of sports stadiums in Philadelphia
— The history of public transit in the Delaware Valley
— Ed Bacon
— Mass transit
— Sports
— Religious history in Philly
— Suburban history
— There should be an interactive website (preferably free for those who purchase hard copy), where users can type in any address in the city and see what used to be located there over the years.
— Examples of councilman (person) corruption
— Waste
— Poor promotion
— Urban design
— Delaware River / other rivers
— City planning
— CDCs
— History of Philadelphia
— City architecture
— Neighborhoods
— Geography
— Demographics
— Political make-up
— Athletics
— Trails
— William Penn
— Society of Friends (Quakers)
— Gazela (Philadelphia’s tall ship!)
— The tug Jupiter
— Philadelphia Ship Preservation Guild
— Community theater in Philadelphia – for example Old Academy Players, Stagecrafters, Allen’s Lane Theatre
— Historical & future development (theoretical & actual)
— Planning & architecture
— Potential for greenway connectors through South Philly from the Delaware trail to the Schuylkill Trail
— Permanent connectors through downtown Philly and North Philly
— Exploration into the demographics of newcomers in the city of Philadelphia
— History of architectural style in Philadelphia
— Small developers of housing, industry beyond early 19th C
— Railway land assemblage & politicking
— Political / financial maneuvering around Philadelphia city/county consolidation
— Rise & fall of great Phila banks
— Philadelphia’s relations w/ Harrisburg politics
— Development of Wissahickon Park
— Long-term development of downtown as it relates to close neighborhoods.
— Discussion about WWW & internet/wireless access one community to the next, expanding the reigon’s interconnectivity.
— Intra-neighborhood sharing of ideas and process for growth & inclusion.
— Ed Bacon
— World’s Fair
— Catherine Sue Leske
— Wissahickon
— Greber Plan
— OPDC
— TIGER Great PA/NJ
— Casino-Free Philadelphia
— East Coast Greenway
— Waterowrks
— Society Hill Greenway
— Disneyquest
— Civic Vision for Central DE
— William Penn Foundation
— Creation of Independence Hall
— East Poplar Urban Renewal
— Urban Nutrition Initiative
— Philly Orchard Project
— PHA
— Clark Park
— UC Green
— Young Involved Philadelphia
— Navy Yard
— Penn’s Landing Corp.
— West Philly Tool Library
— Naked Chocolate Cafe
— Capogiro Gelato
— Metropolitan Bakery
— Hidden City Philadelphia
— Mansions in Fairmount Park
— Mural Arts Program
— City Hall
— Philly Green Fest
— Crane Building
— Pennconnects Plan
— Mother Bethel AME
— Connecting 38th Street & Reading Terminal
— Baldwin Locomotive
— Stetson Hats
— Bartram’s Garden
— DVRPC
— Kimmel Center
— Prseervation Alliance
— Wallace Roberts & Todd
— Liberty Place
— Fairmount Park
— William Penn
— Quakers
— Artists
— Mural Arts Program
— Underground Railraod
— Trolley System
— Universities
— Water / Waterfront Development
— Textiles
— Parks / Greenspace
— The Barnes
— Chinatown
— Ed Bacon
— Sports
— PSC & HS
— Corruption in city hall
— World’s Fair
— Pretzels
— Cheesesteaks
— Beth Shalom / Frank Lloyd Wright
— Dad Vails
— Diversity
— Archdiocese
— Paper mills
Former beautiful historic buildings, now underused surface parking lots, garages and auto parks.
How about a discussion of how Philadelphia eradicated most of its cultural and historical fabric to appease the automobile and its drivers over the natural citizen of this city and how our car-centric architecture infects our public spaces today.
On a positive note, you could highlight and applaud those designers and planners who argue for reuse and renovation of existing sites and location to public transit.
I nominate a case study of Elizabeth Drinker in early Philadelphia. I have done some work on her, whose diary provides a fascinating insight into the world of early American gender issues, women’s work, domesticity, child-birth, family relations, diffusion of knowledge, and masculinity. A topic about her certainly could be applied microhistorically, i.e. her life reveals broader patterns in the life of women in early America but, especially, the Mid-Atlantic colonies.
I would like to know more about the history os slavery in Philadelphia, the migration of Blacks to the Philadelphia region from the south after slavery, abolitionists in philadelphia history, and the underground railroad throughout Philadelphia. PLEASE, please add this too
Gold and Silversmiths and the history of the manufactures of precious metals. The Philadelphia Mint and the development of the currency. The Banks and the Banking System. All three of these topics are not only essential to the Encyclopedia, but are closely interrelated and need to be addressed in a manner which stress their important relationship to the history of the City of Philadelphia.
The following suggestions were submitted on comment cards at the Greater Philadelphia Roundtable session, “Philadelphia-Area Women in the Twentieth Century: What We Know, and What We Need to Know,” at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania on April 1, 2010:
– Aspects of women of color – Black, Asian, Latino, etc.
– The Global face of Philadelphia & Tri-County areas; language differences.
– Community-based forums – utilize libraries; churches; resident association; Greeks; Pan-Hellenic Council, Radio stations – WHAT, WDAS, etc., colleges, universities, Women’s Christian Alliance, Urban League, NAACP, hospitals, Women’s League, etc.
– What are the most important things we have learned from studying the history of women in the 20th century in Phila.?
– How do archives teach us about improving our lives or the lives of women?
– Women volunteer associations
– Suffrage in Philadelphia
– Adoption
– Female entrepreneurs
– Women in horticulture / Women’s Land Army
– Fellowship Farm
– Women’s wartime work
– Quaker women and their influence
– Girl Scouts
– The idea of posting profiles – smaller amounts of information – digestable
– Regionalism – Philadelphia’s relationship to PA, NJ, and DE suburbs
– 19th / 20th century reform and voluntary associations
– Public transportation / public services
– Women and gardens
– Preservation
– Education
– E.R.A.
– Women’s Trade Union League
– Women Garment Workers Strike in 1910s
– Gardens like Morris Arboretum and Bartram’s Garden
– Philadelphia’s food history, especially iconic foods. My students often want to write about cheesesteaks, and only find commercial web sites. Someone needs to connect cheesesteaks with the 20th-century working-class culture of sandwich shops. Also, what happened to the food traditions of the Germans who settled early Philadelphia? Apart from the Amaish food traditions, German food is relatively scarce.
– Edna Phillips – harpist, first woman in Philadelphia Orchestra; Elsee Hilger, cellist, Philadelphia Orchestra.
– Philadelphia Normal School
– The idea of embedding women in the story of industry in Philadelphia as workers and initiators, in public policy, in volunteering and spearheading work to enrich others’ lives.
– Women in religious organizations in Philadelphia who made/make a difference in the lives / educations of others.
– Local suffrage fight
– Women in industry
– Women in labor movement
– Sexual politics
– Women in academia
– Union League and women’s entry vs. acceptance in that organization
– Immigration – experience of different ethnic groups
– Prostitution & economics, social attitudes, etc.
– Women as leaders and workers in Philadelphia Green and in the Horticultural Society
What is unique or distinctive about Philadelphia:
The history, the quaint nature of the city.
The many different neighborhoods and their individual histories.
How Philadelphia is connected to other places:
It’s the city of brotherly love and independence.
Other topics:
Perhaps culture and arts, the wonderful local theater productions, especially the Arden Theatre.
– From the suggestion box at the Holmesburg branch library