History Special Collections Show Their Stuff for Archives Month Philly Archives Month Philly kicks off with a long list of October events in the Delaware Valley. Kimberly Haas spoke to archivists from across the region to get the details on what’s in store this year
Preservation Al Capone’s Cell At ESP Keeps Conservators On Their Toes At Eastern State Penitentiary, layers of history reveal more mysteries inside a famous gangster’s old prison cell. Kimberly Haas has the details
History Diorama Restoration At The Academy of Natural Sciences Confronts Loss & Conquest Conservators on the Parkway give 80-year-old specimens a good scrubbing, while examining science’s shady past with new interpretation. Mabel Rosenheck has the story
Photography I’m Still Here: Saving The Work Of Robert Cornelius In 1839, amateur chemist Robert Cornelius was experimenting with a new photographic process at his family’s store in Center City. That fateful year, in an alley off of Chestnut Street, he would give birth to the world’s first “selfie.” Meet the conservator who is working to preserve the elusive portfolio of one of history’s most influential photographers. Joe Brin has the story
Preservation Looks Like Wood, Rusts Like Metal Philadelphia’s row homes are often a bit plain at street level, but a look up to the roofline reveals a wealth of decorative metal cornices. We talk tin (and zinc, iron and lead) with expert conservator Adam Jenkins
Preservation Face-Lift At The Woodlands Impressive changes after years of seemingly endless deterioration to the Hamilton mansion