“Smokin’ Joe Frazier”, wore these gloves to knock out Jimmy Ellis during the 1970 World Boxing Association Championship.
‘Reflecting on Philadelphia’s History’
New Name, New Director, New Exhibits
The Philadelphia History Museum, formerly known as the “Atwater Kent” museum, is one of hundreds of museums in Philadelphia rich in history. The museum, with more than 100,000 items in its collection, is a sweeping repository of the city of Philadelphia history poised for new beginnings. In February 2009, the 70-year-old institution closed from top to bottom for renovations. Three years later, it’s on schedule for a Spring re-opening.
It might sound odd, but a closed museum makes for a busy staff. They’ve been overseeing a new website design, designing new exhibits, and launching public programs. In fact, membership is up. Director of Marketing and PR, Kate Bieg says their membership has increased 40 percent due to fun new programming and heightened visibility.
The Name Change
About that new name, the Philadelphia History Museum. While legions of school children remember a trip to the Atwater Kent as 4th graders, many of them never returned to the museum as adults. Possibly, because they didn’t quite recollect the contents and the name didn’t convey its mission.
When the museum founded in 1941, it was because of the generosity of Mr. Kent. At the time, he was a well-known inventor and radio pioneer in town. His radio-producing factory employed 12,000 people in Philadelphia in 1929. Then, in 1938, he saved the building from threat of destruction by buying it and donating it to the city as a museum bearing his name.
Reflecting on the Past
The headline, “Our Hometown History Lives Here” is on the home page of the new site. That slogan, along with the new name, more accurately portrays its mission as the collector of all things Philadelphia. Among the treasures is the desk George Washington used, too more recent acquisitions such as a pair of boxing gloves from “Smokin’ Joe Frazier”, a prize-winning boxer who knocked out Jimmy Ellis during the 1970 World Boxing Association Championship.
Join an Historic Conversation
So why is membership growing if the museum is currently closed? Bieg attributes it to programs such as “Conversations”, which focuses on popular history. They touch on fun topics such as one recent “conversation” which surveyed the Philadelphia restaurant scene from the 1980’s through today.
Another brought in local beer historian Rich Wagner to discuss the finer parts of the city’s brewing history along with a food editor at Philadelphia Magazine to talk about - what else – pairing food with beer. Of course, a tasting featuring local brews from Yards, Philadelphia Brewing Company and Dock Street Brewery followed the discussion.
In all, The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent offers a glimpse of Philadelphia’s storied past that extends well beyond the Founding Fathers.
Things to Know: Check the website for current events. Programs like “Conversations” are scheduled at least monthly and are held at the The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent. Also, as a member of the Philadelphia History Museum, there is $2 parking (anytime!) at the garage on 7th and Chestnut.
Location
15 South 7th Street | Philadelphia, PA 19106
Phone
(215) 685-4830
Related Articles About Museums in Philadelphia
- Fireman’s Hall Museum
- Franklin Institute
- Mummers Museum
- National Museum of American Jewish History
- National Liberty Museum
- Philadelphia Museum of Art – Fairmount Park, PA
- Philadelphia History Museum aka Atwater Kent Museum
- Please Touch Museum – interactive museum for kids
- Rodin Museum
Some pictures courtesy of the Philadelphia History Museum
-
- “Smokin’ Joe Frazier”, wore these gloves to knock out Jimmy Ellis during the 1970 World Boxing Association Championship.
About Jen Phillips April
Follow Us!