Important Links
The following list contains organizations that provide information about the history of Philadelphia and the Southwark/Queen Village community. We’ve listed these in alphabetical order, under three categories: Governmental, All Others, and Specific Publications. There are many public and non-profit organizations involved in the preservation and management of historic resources in the Philadelphia region and beyond. For a more extensive listing of resources, visit the Preservation Alliance.
History Related Organizations
- Center for Northeast Philadelphia History
The Center for Northeast Philadelphia History is a consortium of organizations and individuals whose purpose is to preserve and promote the history of the region.
- Cultural Resources Geographic Information System
CRGIS is a map-based inventory of the historic and archaeological sites and surveys stored in the files of the Bureau for Historic Preservation (BHP).
- Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia
The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia is a civic project to increase understanding of one of America’s greatest cities.
- Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Founded in 1824 in Philadelphia, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States and holds many national treasures.
- Independence Hall Association
The Independence Hall Association was founded in 1942 to spearhead the creation of Independence National Historical Park.
- Library Company of Philadelphia
The Library Company of Philadelphia is an independent research library specializing in American history and culture from the 17th through the 19th centuries.
- National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to save America’s diverse historic places and revitalize our communities.
- Philadelphia Archeological Forum
The Philadelphia Archeological Forum advises historians, architects, government officials, tourism concerns, and others about archaeological matters.
- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings
Philadelphia Architects and Buildings provides authoritative information on three centuries of Philadelphia buildings and designers, incorporating data and images from the collections of more than 25 Philadelphia-area repositories.
- Philadelphia Area Consortium of Special Collections Libraries
These libraries collect, care for and share collections that comprise an internationally important body of unique materials for students, scholars and lifelong learners at any level.
- Philadelphia Athenaeum: Architectural Archives
The Athenaeum is a member supported, not-for-profit, special collections library founded in 1814 to collect materials “connected with the history and antiquities of America, and the useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful knowledge” for public be
- Philadelphia History
Philadelphia History was created by the Independence Hall Association in Philadelphia
- Philadelphia: The Great Experiment
Philadelphia: The Great Experiment is a multi-format historical documentary television film and internet project that presents the story of Philadelphia, the single most compelling stage for the unfurling and testing of American ideals.
- PhilaPlace – Sharing Stories from the City of Neighborhoods
PhilaPlace is an interactive Web site, created by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, that connects stories to places across time in Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.
- Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia
The mission of the Preservation Alliance is to actively promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes.
- Urban Archives at Temple University
The Urban Archives was established in 1967 to document the social, economic, and physical development of the Philadelphia area from the mid-19th century to the present.
Government Agencies and Affiliates
- ExplorePAHistory.com
Stories from PA History includes histories built around state historical markers. Teach PA History includes elementary, middle & high school lesson plans for teachers of Pennsylvania and American history. Visit PA Regions provides useful information
- Fairmount Park Commission
On the pages that follow, you’ll get a brief overview of the Park’s history, plus how to do more research on your own.
- Free Library of Philadelphia
The Free Library offers one of the country’s most extensive collections – more than 6 million items, ranging from books and magazines to art, music, film, and other media.
- National Archives at Philadelphia
The National Archives at Philadelphia serves the geographic areas of Pennsylvania, Delaware, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia.
- New Jersey Department of State Division of Archives
Searchable databases include marriage and death records, revolutionary war damages and more.
- New Jersey State Library
Digital Collections at the New Jersey State Library.
- Office of Property Assessment
Formerly called the “BRT”, the Office of Property Assessment is charged with establishing real property values which serve as the basis for real estate taxes levied by the City of Philadelphia.
- Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission
The Pennsylvania Museum and Historical Commission is the Commonwealth’s governmental agency responsible for the collection, conservation and interpretation of Pennsylvania’s historic heritage.
- Philadelphia City Archives
The Philadelphia City Archive is one of the country’s largest municipal archives, with about 2 million photographs, dating from the late 1800′s, spanning over 90,000 records.
- Philadelphia City Planning Commission
The City Planning Commission is responsible for guiding the orderly growth and development of the City of Philadelphia.
- Philadelphia Historical Commission
Philadelphia Historical Commission is the city’s regulatory agency responsible for ensuring the preservation of of historic resources including buildings, structures, sites, objects, interiors, and districts.
- Philadelphia Historical Land Records and Vitals
This database contains land deeds in Philadelphia, dating back as early as the 1600s and through the mid-1970s.
