Philadelphia History Museum

The Philadelphia History Museum is a Greek Revival-style building constructed between 1824 and 1826 by architect John Haviland. Its original collection of more than 80,000 objects documenting the city's development and heritage is now managed by Drexel University.

The building was originally designed as the home of the Franklin Institute in 1824-1826, one of the city's important scientific institutions. The collection later grew into a comprehensive record of Philadelphia's history from colonial times to the modern era.

The collection displays objects connected to prominent figures in the city's past, including George Washington's desk and Joe Frazier's boxing gloves. These items bring to life the people who shaped Philadelphia and its development over time.

The collection is no longer on-site and is now managed by Drexel University, which offers a searchable online portal for exploring historical objects. Visitors can access the database from anywhere to view detailed information about the artifacts and archives.

The museum houses a wampum belt documenting the agreement between William Penn and the Lenape people during Philadelphia's early colonial period. This artifact is one of the few surviving records of peaceful relations between European settlers and the indigenous inhabitants.

Location: Philadelphia

Operator: Philadelphia Department of Recreation

Phone: +12156854830

Website: https://philadelphiahistory.org

GPS coordinates: 39.95026,-75.15189

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:40