Sailing to Freedom with the Runaway Navy A new book documents how most escaped slaves arriving in Philadelphia during the mid-1800s came by steamboat, schooner, or skiff. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/sail...

Some Philly-Area Malls are Changing, While Others Are Dying. Is Anything Worth Preserving? Kyle Bagenstose takes us inside a pop culture phenomena as it fades into commercial obsolescence. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/some...

It would be really great to see preservation advocates and Friends of the Wissahickon partner with traffic safety advocates for a light at Gypsy Lane, speed humps & protective bollards so that Wissahickon Hall doesn't suffer another car crash. Also could have a bridge across the Wiss to the trail

An Underutilized Landmark on Lincoln Drive Receives Some TLC Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is spending $750K to repair Wissahickon Hall, but to what end? hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/an-u...

Mid-Century Modern Home of Philadelphia's First Licensed Female Architect to be Demolished Kimberly Haas has this report from the November 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/mid-...

One Million Abolitionists Project Puts Empowering Words in Children's Hands The autobiography of Frederick Douglass, published in 1845, ignites inspiration in the youth of Philadelphia. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/one-...

Woodmere Art Museum Defies Odds With Major Expansion The opening of Maguire Hall is a game changer for the beloved museum in Chestnut Hill. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/wood...

Temple Contemporary Takes Viewers Inside the Pyramid Club A legendary local HQ of the Harlem Renaissance is celebrated in a new exhibition. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/temp...

Op-Ed: Save the Wave and Reanimate the Robinson Building for FIFA 2026 Jason Lempieri makes the case for saving Market Street's “cresting wave” on the eve of its destruction. hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/op-e...

A New Book Views Philadelphia From Above "Above & Across Philadelphia" gets high in the Quaker City hiddencityphila.org/2025/11/a-ne...

Op-Ed: How Philadelphia Is Streamlining Capital Projects Under One Roof Aparna Palantino, director of the City's new Capital Program Office, makes the case for pushing public infrastructure plans across the finish line. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/op-e...

"Roundhouse Reimagined" Explores New Uses for a Modernist Landmark Design firms will present potential futures for the Police Administration Building. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/roun...

Hiding in Plain Sight: Bird Studio Zachary Bird's work can be seen all over the city if you open your eyes. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/hidi...

A New Book Explores the Origins and Outcomes of Exclusive Urban Planning Amy Cohen reviews "Race, Real Estate, and Education: Inventing Gentrification in Philadelphia, 1960-2020." hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/a-ne...

A Symposium Explores Anna Wilstach and the Fine Art of Philanthropy Trinity Memorial Church celebrates its benevolent founder. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/a-sy...

Love Park's "Flying Saucer" Lands on the Local Register Kimberly Haas has this report from the October 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/love...

Plan to Auction Historic Home and Andrew Wyeth Studio Riles Chadds Ford The future of Painter’s Folly, once a hub of inspiration for renowned Brandwine Valley artists, hangs in the balance. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/plan...

A New Exhibition Pays Homage to the Spirit of 1776 The Museum of the American Revolution dives deep into the fight for equal rights and independence over the course of 250 years with "The Declaration’s Journey." hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/a-ne...

Alan Jaffe and Bryan Mckinney spotlight unique buildings not listed on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in the architectural illustration series, Unlisted Philadelphia. In this installment, a well-loved welcome center that is out of this world. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/unli...

The Forgotten Cemetery A native son makes an unbelievable discovery on North Broad Street. hiddencityphila.org/2025/10/the-...

Calder Gardens Debuts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway A national treasure comes home to Philadelphia. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/cald...

Strengthening "National Trust" Through Preservation and Public Lands Advocacy Kimberly Haas interviews Carol Quillen, the recently appointed president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation @savingplaces.bsky.social hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/stre...

Latinos and Preservationists Celebrate Saving Teatro Puerto Rico A cultural cornerstone in North Philadelphia comes back to life. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/lati...

The Myth and Measure of the Shackamaxon Elm Tim Kerner unpacks propaganda about William Penn that has been perpetuated for centuries. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/the-...

National Register Nominations Sail Through Local Review Kimberly Haas has this report from the September 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/nati...

Cultural Institutions Mobilize as Trump's Executive Order Deadline Approaches NPS has been instructed to remove signs that interpret America's history of slavery at Independence National Park on September 17. Philly organizations are preparing to fight back. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/cult...

Poquessing Trail of History Brings Awareness to Byberry's Past Some of Philadelphia's oldest historical sites in the Far Northeast receive renewed attention. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/poqu...

Two Exhibitions Mine the Archives for Hidden Black History The Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia City Archives reveal more bitter truths about America's racist past. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/two-...

Can Smart Design Save a Historic Manayunk Mill From Floods and Father Time? A church on Main Street does the Lord's work by adapting to climate change. hiddencityphila.org/2025/09/can-...

Recalling and Celebrating the Often Hidden Stories Archivist Bob Skiba takes stock of Philadelphia's rich and radiant LGBTQ+ history. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/reca...

Stories of Pride that Won't Be Erased Through archives, markers, art and activism, members of Philadelphia’s LGBTQIA+ community are still fighting to preserve their stories and their place in American life. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/stor...

Today on Hidden City Philadelphia: 150,000 Artifacts From West Shipyard Go To a New Home A big dig near the Delaware River unearths a trove of archeological treasures. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/1500...

Places Saved: Summer 2025 The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia highlights vulnerable buildings rescued with reuse with its quarterly list, Places Saved. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/plac...

SEPTA Crisis: The Opposite of Growth is Decline Nathaniel Popkin on what's at stake as the transit funding crisis deepens. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/sept...

Historic District Protection and Destruction Challenge the Philadelphia Register Kimberly Haas has this report from the August 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/hist...

Abuse of Power in the 1700s Ignited a War Between Washington and the Editor of the "Philadelphia Aurora" Today's federal steamrolling of constitutional safeguards could use an enemy like early American journalist Benjamin Franklin Bache. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/abus...

Places to Save: Summer 2025 The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia highlights buildings under threat with its quarterly list, Places to Save. hiddencityphila.org/2025/08/plac...

Restoration Role Model: YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School A neglected PECO building on North Broad Street gets an electrifying redo. hiddencityphila.org/2025/07/rest...

[email protected] got a couple of positive mentions in this @hiddencityphila.bsky.social article.

When a Philadelphia Hostel Provided Refuge for Victims of Internment Camps Formerly incarcerated Japanese Americans found sanctuary in the Quaker City during WWII hiddencityphila.org/2025/07/when...

Unlisted Philadelphia: University Parking Garage Alan Jaffe and Bryan Mckinney spotlight unique & significant buildings not listed on the Philadelphia Register in the architectural illustration series. In this installment, a concrete car park to rival them all. hiddencityphila.org/2025/07/unli...

Illegal Windows and Building Additions Abound at Historical Commission's Monthly Meeting Kimberly Haas has this report from the July 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/07/ille...

Big news for the East Coast Greenway in NE Philly via @hiddencityphila.bsky.social! Borski Park — a new 10-acre green space along the Delaware River Trail — officially opens July 11. Built on a former concrete plant, thanks to Philly Parks & Rec and @riverfrontnorth.bsky.social:

A New Public Park Brings Bridesburg Back to the River The opening of Borski Park will reconnect residents to a waterfront cut off from recreation for decades. hiddencityphila.org/2025/07/a-ne...

Historic Wyck House In Germantown Gets a Facelift Extensive conservation work is underway at Philadelphia’s oldest homesteads. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/hist...

Historic Guardhouse in FDR Park Primed for New Life as a Welcome Center A major amenity is unveiled in South Philly's Central Park. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/hist...

Oral History Project Seeks Black Voices from the Delaware River Waterfront Independence Seaport Museum is collecting untold stories from the second half of the 20th century with "Breaking Uncommon Ground." hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/oral...

The Broad Street Review says Amy Cohen's BLACK HISTORY IN THE PHILADELPHIA LANDSCAPE is "[A] landmark text: a must read for all Philadelphians, and Americans." www.broadstreetreview.com/reviews/blac...

Windows into History and Inspiration The timeless beauty of stained-glass art illuminates sacred and commercial spaces throughout Philadelphia. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/wind...

A Flatiron, a Firehouse, and a Fine Set of Victorian Twins Added to the Philadelphia Register Kimberly Haas has this report from the June 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/a-fl...