All this week, our friends at Philadelphia’s historic Betsy Ross House are bringing back their popular Flag Festival (Sunday, June 13 through Saturday, June 19). If you’re planning on being in Philadelphia this week (or perhaps you’re there already) give them a visit!
Read MoreThe summer of 1787 in Philadelphia was one to be remembered. In fact, it was in May that year that over 50 delegates from across the freshly independent United States descended on the city — ready to forge a path forward for the new nation. By the time summer was over, the U.S. Constitution was born.
Read MoreOn this day in 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s Corps of Discovery departed from St. Louis into the unknowns of the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory. After a year of preparation and planning which had been prompted by President Thomas Jefferson himself, the most famous expedition in American history began.
Read MoreDespite being born into a wealthy, slave owning family in Charleston, sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimké would go onto to become some of the first female abolitionists in American history. After converting to Quakerism and moving to Philadelphia, the Grimké sisters became prominent anti-slavery and women’s rights advocates against several odds.
Read MoreBehind every successful museum is someone dedicated and passionate about history who runs the museum with every piece of their soul. At the Betsy Ross House, that woman is Lisa Acker Moulder, the current director. Lisa has dedicated 21 years of her professional career to the Betsy Ross House. Today, we get to talk to her about the museum, her career, and her favorite parts of Betsy Ross’s story.
Read MoreOn this day in 1775, a group of Philadelphia Quakers met at a tavern in the city and founded the first abolitionist society in the United States. This organization, which eventually became known as the Pennsylvania Abolition Society, marked the start of the American abolitionist movement in addition to paving the way for Philadelphia to become a powerhouse of abolitionist activity.
Read MoreAs a hub of abolitionist activism and home to a vibrant free Black community, 19th century Philadelphia gave rise to a number of prominent Black Americans. One of them was Henrietta Smith Bowers Duterte, the first woman undertaker in the United States who, on top of being a successful business woman, was also a prominent activist and philanthropist.
Read MoreHistoric America is pleased to announce the publication of UC Places audio tours in Philadelphia! The tours, Old City Philadelphia and Founders Footsteps, are narrated by Rachel Tracey and Aaron Killian, and co-written by Historic America guide Caroline D'Agati.
Today’s article is a conversation with Historic America’s very own Sonali Prillman and Ted Maust, the director of the Elfreth’s Alley Museum in Philadelphia. Join them as they discuss the earliest American fire departments, rowdy volunteer firefighter brawls, the oldest property insurance company in the country, what it is like to run such a unique museum, or about how one of the oldest residential streets in the United States has changed through the centuries.
Read MoreToday we’re excited to welcome Alex Palma to the Historic America Journal. Alex is the Assistant Director at Philadelphia’s historic Carpenters’ Hall and his article is all about this important American building and it’s wonderful history…
Read MoreThank you to everyone who voted in last week’s poll. The results are in and the next stop in our A Place In Time podcast will be Revolutionary War era Philadelphia! To whet your appetite, here’s a list of the places we’ll be featuring …
Read MoreTucked into Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood is a narrow street with an old-fashioned name: Elfreth’s Alley. Since at least 1713, this little street has been home, with possibly ten thousand people living here in the intervening three centuries. The homes that stand today, built between 1724 and 1836, have seen Philadelphia change from a bustling Colonial port to an industrial powerhouse and finally to a post-industrial city.
Read MoreThe saga continues...
Read MoreI'm putting the finishing touches on the third chapter of Thomas Jefferson: Defining America. Here's a sneak peak at chapter three, which is tentatively entitled, Independence.
Read MoreOn this day, 239 years ago, our nation's first flag was raised...
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