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...

"When we look back at American history, are we truly seeking lessons so that we might not repeat our mistakes? Or are we merely looking to venerate our patriot ancestors?" - Mickey Herr writes about American mythmaking and the preservation of #history, with #IMLS and #NEH grants interwoven

“Banners of Liberty” Exhibition Gives Warning to the Dangerous Erosion of National Unity On the eve of Flag Day 2025, Mickey Herr finds America, and its patriotic symbolism, upended by destructive political theater hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/bann...

“Philadelphia, the Revolutionary City complicates [the] stale and limited version of life in the ‘Birthplace of the Nation’ during the messy era in which that birth was taking place.” – Amy Cohen in @hiddencityphila.bsky.social #Philadelphia #AmericanRevolution hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/a-ne...

Places to Save: Spring 2025 The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia highlights buildings under threat with its quarterly list, Places to Save. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/plac...

Restoration Role Model: The Bellevue South Broad Street's grand dame dazzles with a faithful renovation. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/rest...

A New Exhibition Reveals the Material Culture of Our Revolutionary City Maps, muskets, punch bowls, and other rare ephemera are currently on view at the American Philosophical Society Museum. hiddencityphila.org/2025/06/a-ne...

The Revolution Will Not Be Alphabetized: Saying Goodbye to Philly's Lettered Bus Route System As SEPTA implements its "Bus Revolution," Keshler Thibert takes a look back at the origins of the city's mass transit designation network. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/the-...

New PATCO Station Renovations Cap Franklin Square’s Revival. Will It Last This Time? Kyle Bagenstose explores 300+ years of highs and lows at Philadelphia's most under-appreciated square. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/new-...

Today on our website: Preservation Advocates Raise Alarm on $158M in Proposed Trump Funding Cuts State Historic Preservation Offices across the country will lose crucial financial resources if a federal bill is passed to axe NPS’s Historic Preservation Fund. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/hist...

Philadelphia's “Cardboard Genius” Takes Center Stage in a New Exhibition The brilliant architectural creations of Kambel Smith is currently on view at the Germantown Historical Society. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/phil...

A Performance and Podcast Explore the Complexities of the MOVE Bombing "MOVE Mocks Us All," a staged reading by journalist Maida Odom, gives a firsthand account of the May 1985 tragedy on Osage Avenue. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/a-pe... @tulogancenter.bsky.social @templeuniversity.bsky.social

South Broad Street Landmark Added to the Philadelphia Register Kimberly Haas has this report from the May 2025 meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/sout...

Rittenhouse-Fitler Historic District Celebrates 30th Anniversary The Center City Residents Association and historic preservation advocates will mark the occasion on Sunday with a panel discussion and walking tours. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/ritt...

Check out this fantastic article on BUILDING GHOSTS in today's @inquirer.com www.inquirer.com/arts/buildin...

Remembering Joel Spivak, Champion of All Things "Old Philly" Today we celebrate the life and work of a Philadelphia legend. hiddencityphila.org/2025/05/reme...

Hats off to Hidden City editorial director Michael Bixler and longtime HC alum Molly Lester. Their new book, “Building Ghosts” is featured in a terrific @inquirer.com article by reporter Kevin Riordan. #buildingghosts #demolition #socialhistory #philly share.inquirer.com/7FyvVB?fbcli...

Today on our website --> BREAKING: Historic Willow Steam Plant Swiftly Heading For New Life as Apartments Redevelopment is full steam ahead for the hulking behemoth at 9th and Callowhill.

A New Art Exhibition Ponders the Perpetual Cycle of Urban Transition "Contemporary Ruin future visions" is now on view at Drexel University. hiddencityphila.org/2025/04/a-ne...

Temple University Uncovers Human Remains at Construction Site Earlier this month workers discovered bodies while digging the foundation for a new campus building. The event reveals a muddy history of reckless land stewardship. hiddencityphila.org/2025/04/temp...

Philadelphia's Oldest Surviving Bar Parties Like It's 1759 At the newly restored A Man Full of Trouble Tavern, you can drink a pint, sing sea shanties, and reacquaint yourself with the canons of American history. hiddencityphila.org/2025/04/phil...