Why Drexel wants to take over the Philadelphia History Museum
Drexel University has proposed taking over the 130,000-piece collection of the Philadelphia History Museum. Will the public get to see it? And why does Drexel want it?
Listen 13:20
A taxidermied dog named Philly, who served in Philadelphia's 315th Infantry during World War I, is among the items in the collection of the Philadelphia History Museum. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Drexel University has proposed taking over a 130,000-piece collection that was previously housed at the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent before it closed last July. The collection includes everything from Jimmy Rollins’ World Series uniform to George Washington’s desk. While that move would keep these objects in the city, they would not be on public display, leaving some to wonder whether Drexel’s stewardship is ideal. On this episode of The Why, WHYY reporter Peter Crimmins explains why the university wants the collection in the first place.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by The Why
The Why
There’s more to every story if you take the time to tell it.
‘Philadelphia Revealed’ exhibit uncovers the city’s history in things that survived
The city’s historic Atwater Kent collection returns to public view for the first time since being transferred to Drexel University.
4 months ago
Listen 1:15
Pictures from Philadelphia’s former history museum emerge at PAFA
“Seeing Philadelphia” is the first public exhibition of the city’s historical archive since the collection was acquired by Drexel University.
1 year ago
Judge signals approval of plan to transfer Philly history museum to Drexel
A judge has signaled her pending approval of a plan to transfer 130,000 historic objects from Philly’s history museum to the private university.
3 years ago