NHD Philly Participating Partners

An extraordinary alliance of partners providing local research and project support opportunities for National History Day participants, as well as support for the NHDPhilly initiative.

If you represent a local resource and wish to become a Participating Partner, please Contact Us now and we'll get back to you shortly!

Research Partners:

• Abraham Lincoln Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia makes the history collections and archives of the League available to the public. An extraordinary Civil War collection!
  www.unionleague.org/abraham-lincoln-foundation.php
• African American Museum of Philadelphia where African American heritage is celebrated everyday.
  www.AAMPmuseum.org
• American Philosophical Society founded by Benjamin Franklin this is the country's first learned society, playing an important role in American cultural and intellectual life for over 250 years.
  www.amphilsoc.org
• American Swedish Historical Museum promoting and preserving the contributions of Swedes and Swedish-Americans in the United States.
  www.americanswedish.org
• Bartram's Garden the pre-Revolutionary home of John Bartram.
  www.bartramsgarden.org/
• Betsy Ross House site where the first flag was reportedly made and where Betsy Ross and the Stars and Stripes are honored.
  www.ushistory.org/betsy/flaghome.html
• The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia interprets the struggle for freedom, equality and national unity in 19th century America, in order to inspire a better understanding of that struggle and a renewed dedication to its importance today. 215-405-8719
  www.cwurmuseum.org/
• College of Physicians collections of books, journals, manuscripts and print and photographs documenting the history of medicine. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia's Historical Library hours will be by confirmed appointment only for both Fellows and the general public. To schedule an appointment please call the Historical Reference Desk at 215-563-3737, ext. 297 or email libref@collphyphil.org. Please leave your name, telephone/email, topic and preferred date. We will get back with you to confirm a date and time.
  www.collphyphil.org/libwood.htm
• Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. This was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most "Most Wanted", including bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Appointment needed. Contact Andrea Reidell, Education Director, 215-236-5111 ext. 16.
  www.easternstate.org
• Franklin Institute Science Museum dazzling playground for the mind.
  sln.fi.edu/exploreF.html
• Free Library of Philadelphia one of the largest public library systems in the world.
  www.library.phila.gov
• Germantown Historical Society preserving, protecting, and interpreting the rich and diverse history of the historic German Township (now Germantown, Mt. Airy, and Chestnut Hill) in northwest Philadelphia.
  www.germantownhistory.org
• Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation find the official guide to the region's arts and culture.
  www.gophila.com/culturefiles
• Historical Society of Pennsylvania where you can explore the origins and diversity of Pennsylvania and the United States, from the colonial period and the nation's founding to the experience of contemporary life.
  www.hsp.org
• Independence Hall Association a gateway to U.S. history resources, sites and information.
  www.ushistory.org
• Independence Seaport Museum capturing the region's maritime history.
  www.phillyseaport.com
• Johnson House Johnson House Historic Site is the only documented station on the Underground Railroad which is open as a museum. This 1768 building is a National Historic Landmark for the anti-slavery activities that went on there. The Underground Railroad is all about communications, whether through the networks and messages to let escaping runaways know safety where to go, or through the organizations which argued to end slavery and held meeting which promoted efforts to care for runaways. Johnson House tells this important chapter in American History.
  www.johnsonhouse.org
• Marian Anderson House a site preserving the legacy of one of the world's greatest contraltos.
  www.mariananderson.org
• National Archives Mid Atlantic Branch the archives of the American democracy covering the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
  www.archives.gov/midatlantic/education/
• National Constitution Center the site of the 2005 National History Day Philly Contest. It is the first museum in the world devoted to telling the story of the United States Constitution through multi-media exhibits, including fil, photographs, text, sculpture and artifacts. The Center houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, which will serve as a hub for national consitutional education, discussion and lectures by prominent figures and scholars.
  www.constitutioncenter.org
• National Museum of American Jewish History explore and celebrate the history of Jews in America.
  nmajh.org
• Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Library Collections (PACSCL) a network of 27 research libraries and archives.
  www.pacscl.org/PhillyResearch.net/nhdphilly
• Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent Museum the gateway to Philadelphia history. The Education staff members are all former NHD judges and are available 3–5 p.m. for individual or group appointments of 30 to 45 minutes to discuss projects during the entire Open House week. (Museum is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesday, but not this week.) Call the Education Office at 215-648-4832 or contact Ross Griffiths to arrange an appointment.
  www.philadelphiahistory.org/
• Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center the archives of Philadelphia Jewish community life with records dating back to the mid-19th Century.
  www.jewisharchives.net
• Philadelphia Museum of Art one of the greatest art museums in the world.
  www.philamuseum.org/education
• Philadelphia Records Department Philadelphia Records Department/City Archives, the official archive of Philadelphia government. Check the Archives online catalogue.
  www.phila.gov/phils/carchive.htm
• Rosenbach Museum and Library a research center that is home to one of the nation's great collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as a beautiful, historic townhouse filled with fine art and antiques.
  www.rosenbach.org
• Stenton Built and owned by James Logan, Secretary to Pennsylvania founder William Penn, one of the earliest, best-preserved and most believable historic houses in Philadelphia.
  www.stenton.org

Other Partners

• Heritage Philadelphia Program  
  www.heritagephila.org
• Mayor's Secretary of Education, City of Philadelphia.
• Museum Council of Philadelphia.
• Philadelphia School District, Teaching American History Projects Department.
• Philadelphia Federal Executive Board (FEB).
• Temple University History Department.
• University of Pennsylvania School of Social Work.
• WHYY (PBS), Culture and Arts Program.