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Land deeds between the Lenni Lenape people and William Penn, the first handwritten drafts of the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution, and clippings of George Washington’s hair that were saved by his barber are among the treasures that document the deeply entwined histories of Pennsylvania and the United States of America. 

Whether descended from a founding father and mother, an enslaved couple, or recent immigrants, genealogists of all background can make “aha” discoveries about their family histories by delving into HSP’s unique archives. Likewise, maps, surveys, photographs, and graphic arts enable residents to explore their homes, neighborhoods, and communities. 

The United States is a melting pot where people of all races, ethnicities, genders, and religions can achieve success. However, many have experienced a substantial gap between this ideal and reality. As they strive to overcome legal, economic, and other barriers, the voices and actions of women, people of color, immigrants from around the globe, and LGBTQ people are richly reflected in HSP’s collections. 

The spirit of enterprise is embedded at HSP in the first map of Philadelphia that was used by William Penn to sell plots of land, the natural history and nursery work of Mark Catesby and the Bartram Family, and the rapid development of industry exemplified by Baldwin Locomotive Works. Wanamaker's Department Store reinvented retail, creating abundant displays of new fashions amid dining venues and organ concerts, making shopping an experience for the growing middle class rather than merely the fulfillment of basic needs. Philadelphia is also a city of many firsts, including the first American photograph taken in 1839 by inventor Joseph Saxton from his vantage point in the United States Mint, just a few blocks from HSP, where it is now preserved. 

In the eighteenth century, Peale’s Museum was established as a popular entertainment space aimed at providing ordinary people access to science and art, and in the nineteenth century, the Academy of Music was created to rival the grandeur of European opera houses while opening such venues to wider audiences. In the twentieth century, the WPA art projects and community arts organizations, such as those led by H. August Wilson, more fully realized the democratization of arts and culture.