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Reshaping Historical Narratives through the Atwater Kent Collection

Drexel University
Atwater Kent Collection material on display at the Philadelphia History Museum, c. 2018. Drexel University’s Reshaping Historical Narratives through the Atwater Kent Collection presents overlooked artifacts and narratives from the collection. Photo courtesy of Drexel University.
Atwater Kent Collection material on display at the Philadelphia History Museum, c. 2018. Drexel University’s Reshaping Historical Narratives through the Atwater Kent Collection presents overlooked artifacts and narratives from the collection. Photo courtesy of Drexel University.
Drexel Atwater Kent Collection and Writers Room artwork hangs on a wall.
Drexel Atwater Kent Collection and Writers Room artwork in Seeing Philadelphia, 2023.
Paul Farber records a podcast at WHYY’s studios.
Paul Farber records a podcast at WHYY’s studios. Photo by Michael Olcott.

A diverse group of storytellers investigates artifacts from the Atwater Kent Collection to unearth overlooked arcs of Philadelphia history. In collaboration with Drexel University, First Person Arts, and WHYY, the storytellers craft narratives based on their discoveries, contributing to a podcast series and an exhibition of artifacts dating from the past three centuries. The Atwater Kent Collection, formerly housed at the now-closed Philadelphia History Museum, contains more than 130,000 objects, including 18th-century items dredged from Philadelphia rivers, 19th-century abolitionist artifacts, and 20th-century scrapbooks found in the trash. The exhibition and stories center community perspectives on these objects to broaden a shared understanding of Philadelphia history.

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The total grant amount represents project funding plus an additional 20% in unrestricted general operating support.

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