A Philadelphia high school student presents their project on "Hidden Figures: Revolutionary Black Women in STEM" to a team of judges at National History Day Philadelphia on March 13. Nearly 200 students from Philadelphia public, private, parochial, and charter schools presented their National History Day projects this past week. Researching a topic around the theme Revolution, Reaction, and Reform , students in grades 6-12 presented their work in a format of their choice - a documentary, an...

As we close out 2025, we reflect on a year of powerful programs and exhibits that honored the beginnings of America’s 250th birthday and the intertwined stories of liberty, abolition, and service. From groundbreaking exhibits to inspiring student achievements, here’s what made this year unforgettable.    Commemorating 250 Years of Freedom’s Fight  On April 14, 1775 —just days before the first shots of the American Revolution—a group of Philadelphians gathered to help Dinah Nevil, an enslaved...

2025 was a record-breaking year for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. We added over 200 new books and nearly 100 archival collections—more than 1,200 linear feet of history . From the legacy of the University of the Arts to family papers, grassroots activism, and industrial records, these acquisitions show how art, labor, and civic life have shaped Pennsylvania and the nation. They underscore HSP’s role as a steward of stories that inspire research, creativity, and public memory.   ...