THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF PHILADELPHIA is a city-run office that works to preserve and renovate buildings and historic landmarks.
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA, founded in 1824, is the first historical society in the commonwealth and among the oldest in the nation. The present building was opened in 1910 and has grown to accommodate the Society's expanding libraries, museum and educational programs. Through its research facilities and collections, the Society disseminates historical information to scholars and the general public. Of national importance, the Society's vast resources serve, educate, and attract visitors from throughout the United States. The museum includes over 900 paintings and a wide range of artifacts of significance to Pennsylvania.
SOCIETY HILL is a famed area of old Philadelphia with the largest collection of restored 18th and 19th century buildings in the country.
VALLEY FORGE HISTORIAL SOCIETY houses one of the largest collections of Washington memorabilia in the country. It includes his origial Commander- in-Chief flag, scientific instruments, clothing, and even locks of his hair and his personalized razor. The Valley Forge Historical Society also displays original documents, military accoutrements such as firearms and swords, actual artifacts used by the people who were there at Valley Forge during the fateful winter of 1777-78.
THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORIC PRESERVATION CORPORATION is the region's largest nonprofit preservation organization, founded as a technical service organization to guide investment dollars into historic renovation projects through tax and other financial incentives.
THE PRESERVATION COALITION OF GREATER PHILADELPHIA advocates for the preservation of historic buildings, communities, and open spaces in the five county area of Philadelphia. Through direct advocacy, negotiation, programs, and events the Coalition promotes an awareness and appreciation of the Philadelphia region's rich architectural legacy.
AMERICAN HISTORICAL THEATRE INC. specializes in :the fine art of historical interpretation." It offers hundreds of well known historical characters, stock and custom written scripts, plays and programs. AHT also presents professional training sessions for actors and docents alike.
AMERICAN INSIGHT, a nonprofit founded as the American Poetry Center in 1983, has become an entirely web-based multimedia video production company focused on the production of high quality historical documentaries.
PARTNERS FOR SACRED PLACES, headquartered in Philadelphia, is the nation's only nondenominational, nonprofit organization devoted to helping older and historic religious properties and their community programs. Partners provides technical assistance and is administering a grant program so congregations can meet urgent repair and renovation needs.
THE ATWATER KENT MUSEUM is the History Museum of Philadelphia. The Museum is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the social history and popular culture of Philadelphia. With over 40,000 objects in its historical collection, the Atwater Kent Museum is one of the largest repositories of Philadelphia's heritage. The collections span the city's 300 year history, with particular emphasis on the material culture of urban life in the 19th and 20th centuries.
THE BETSY ROSS HOUSE is the restored two-story colonial home where Betsy Ross lived when credited with making the American flag.
ELFRETH'S ALLEY, possibly the oldest residential street in the nation, is a unique collection of colonial and Federal-era buildings. All but one are still privately occupied; the exception, the Museum House, is open throughout the summer and fall.
FIREMAN'S HALL MUSEUM traces its history to the Union Fire Company, which Benjamin Franklin organized as the first volunteer fire company in America. Memorabilia, graphic displays, a film and early pumpers and rolling stock trace the story from hand-drawn to horse-drawn to steam- powered fire equipment and the people who used them.
