Eastern State Penitentiary Illuminates “Hidden Lives” Of The Incarcerated
"Hidden Lives Illuminated," an animated film project created by inmates of SCI Chester, debuts at Eastern State Penitentiary on August 15. Kimberly Haas went inside the state prison to speak with the incarcerated artists > more
Thunderbird Lodge Museum Connects Arts & Crafts Movement With Utopian Community
Joe Brin takes use out to Rose Valley, Pennsylvania where a new house museum puts the Arts and Crafts movement front and center > more
New Exhibit Invites Visitors Inside The Life Of Row Houses
"Rowhouse Workshop," an exhibition devoted to the culture of Philly’s most iconic residential form, opens on Friday, June 7 at Cherry Street Pier. Michael Bixler has the details > more
A Fond Farewell To Paley Library At Temple University
Paley Library closed its doors to the public on Thursday after serving Temple University for 53 years. Michael Bixler says goodbye to the mid-century modern library with this photo essay > more
Photo Collection Project Takes A Walk In Ed Bacon’s Shoes
Fisher Fine Arts Library at Penn is digitalizing a treasure trove of slides from the personal collection of Philly city planner extraordinaire Edmund Bacon and they need your help. Michael Bixler has the details > more
Missing Public Art Work Of Progress Plaza Uncovered
Contributor Sherry Howard tracks down the lost busts of the "Rotunda of Achievement" at Progress Plaza in North Philly > more
Under Construction: Charles Library At Temple University
Something Snøhetta this ways comes. Michael Bixler takes us to the quad at Temple University where its new library is currently taking shape > more
Vitality Of Immigration Lives On In The Italian Market
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania gives us a glimpse into the origins of the Italian Market, an evolving immigration legacy that is alive and thriving today > more
Having A Good One This Holiday Season In Philadelphia
Seasons Greetings from Hidden City! Michael Bixler dives deep into the archives and brings back a bounty of Philly holiday cheer > more
Sixty Years Of Holiday Cheer At Wanamaker’s
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania gives us a look at the origins of a holiday tradition at the Wanamaker Building > more
Architecture Trips The Light Fantastic in Philly After Dark
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia shines a light on local architecture at night with their illuminating exhibition, "Philly After Dark." Greg Prichard has this review > more
When The United Nations Almost Chose Philly For Its HQ
With the news of Philly losing Amazon HQ2 to New York and D.C., the Historical Society of Pennsylvania takes us back to 1945 when the City nearly convinced the United Nations to built its headquarters in Fairmount Park > more
A Century Of Public Events On The Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania takes a look at big public shindigs and the making of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through rarely seen photographs from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania > more
Cherry Street Pier Raises The Bar For Dynamic Public Space
Cherry Street Pier is officially open for business. The 99-year-old maritime warehouse blends a public park with artist studios, food vendors, a beer garden, and incredible views of the Delaware River. Michael Bixler gives us a look inside > more
Design Coalition Aims To Bridge The Old-New Divide
Move over Miami, the Philadelphia Design District is getting ready for some time in the spotlight. The coalition of gallery owners, artisans, and tech startups want to transform Old City into a hive of contemporary design, while preserving the neighborhood's historic character. Joe Brin takes a look inside the idea with co-founder Eugenie Perret > more
Protected Jewelers Row Building Cited “Unsafe” By L&I On The Eve Of Toll Brothers Demolition
Last week the owner of a legally protected historic property on Jewelers Row was unexpectedly served multiple violations by the Department of Licenses and Inspections as suburban real estate developer Toll Brothers prepares to demolish five buildings next door. Starr Herr-Cardillo reports > more
Still Chugging Along: Exploring Philadelphia’s Other Broad Street Station
Ed Duffy dives deep into the origins of a litttle-known Neoclassical train station in North Philly > more
Renovations At William Way Look To The Future While Preserving The Past
Big changes are in the works for William Way Community Center thanks to a $1 million grant from the Commonwealth's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Stacia Friedman has the details > more
Final Plans To Transfer Philadelphia History Museum Collection To Drexel University Unveiled
The Philadelphia History Museum is officially dead. The large collection of beloved city artifacts will be transferred to Drexel University. Kimberly Haas has the news > more
Hidden City Daily Celebrates Eight Years Of Publishing
September marks Hidden City Daily's 8th year of publishing. To toast the occasion we look back at the past 12 months with a curated list of our top 15 stories. > more
Settlement Houses: Doing Good In The Neighborhood
Stacia Friedman takes a look at Philadelphia's long tradition of providing social welfare and education through settlement houses, some of which still serve communities today > more
Until Death Do Us Part: An Ode To Philadelphia Book Collecting
In celebration of National Read A Book Day, Mickey Herr dives deep into the stacks at some of Philadelphia's most historic and obscure libraries > more
Bootleggers & Back Alley Bars: Philadelphia During Prohibition A City “Soaked In Alcohol”
Speakeasies are all the rage these days. The revival finds its roots in secret cocktail lounges that opened after the 18th Amendment was ratified in 1920. Pennsylvania got a head start and outlawed alcohol in 1919. Amy Cohen takes a look back at Philadelphia during Prohibition on the 100-year anniversary of the ban > more
From Flophouse To Fairfield Inn: Memories & The Makeover Of A Troubled Hotel
Like a chain-smoking phoenix rising from the ashes, the infamous Parker Hotel at 13th and Spruce reopened in 2018 after major renovations and decades of decline. Hidden City contributor Stacia Friedman takes a look back at the former transient hotel with memories of her grandparents' pharmacy next door > more
Tracking Progress & Inaction On The 10th Anniversary Of “Historic Preservation In 2020” Report
In 2009, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia released a strategic report outlining recommendations for safeguarding the city's architectural and cultural history. Kimberly Haas sat down with the co-authors of the action plan to discuss what has, and hasn't, been done by the City and stakeholders a decade later > more
Unlisted Philadelphia: Hotel Powelton
Ben Leech spotlights unique and significant buildings not listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places with his architectural illustration series, Unlisted Philadelphia. In this installment, a Black Bottom landmark with ties to beer, Albert Barnes, and American jazz legends > more
Philadelphia’s Forgotten Forebears: How Pennsylvania Erased The Lenape From Local History
In this poignant essay Dan Shurley looks at the mistreatment of the Lenape in Pennsylvania and how historic Philadelphia still manages to misrepresent and largely ignore the city's native people > more
A Reconstructionist Synagogue Weaves Itself Into Manayunk’s Industrial Fabric
The congregation of Mishkan Shalom promotes sanctuary and social reform inside a 137-year-old textile mill on Freeland Avenue. Scotty Meiser has the story > more
African-American Abolitionist & Son Of Former Vice President Aaron Burr Receives Formal Recognition
The remains of John Pierre Burr, a black Philadelphia abolitionist and natural son of former Vice President Aaron Burr, has resided in an unmarked grave for more than a century. He will receive formal recognition and an official headstone on Saturday, August 24. Keshler Thibert has the details > more
In Northeast Philadelphia, A Rich History Of Train Tracks And Acquisitions
Ed Duffy give us a panoramic view of railroad history in Northeast Philadelphia with this longform essay > more
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