Title
Recognizing and Honoring The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, on the Occasion of its 75th Anniversary, for Exhibiting Philadelphia's Rich and Diverse History.
Body
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent engages Philadelphians and regional visitors with its extraordinary collections that reflect Philadelphia's rich history and the diversity of its people and their neighborhoods through exhibitions and educational programs; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's 333-year history is highly diverse and complex. The museum weaves together artifacts and displays that through their amalgamation portray the history of this phenomenal City in order for guests to better understand and appreciate the present; and
WHEREAS, The museum engages visitors through interactive features, including iPads and monitors, which allow visitors to learn more about the objects on display in each of the galleries. This keeps with the museum's goal of providing engaging narratives to reveal the captivating story of this City; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent is located at the original site of the Franklin Institute in an elegant Greek-Revival structure just south of Market Street on 7th Street. The building was designed by John Haviland, one of the country's foremost architects, who also designed the formidable Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood. The historic building features marble stairs flanked by iconic faux-grained cast iron lamps approaching an inviting main entrance set in a marble surround; and
WHEREAS, As the Haviland building remained unoccupied in the early 1930s, the Philadelphia City Planning Commission considered demolishing it. In an attempt to raise funds and save the edifice, Mayor S. Davis Wilson, along with Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks President Frances Wistar, reached out to inventor and radio pioneer A. Atwater Kent. Kent purchased...
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