Pew Awards $1.8 Million to 4 Philadelphia-area Civic Institutions

Funding will promote public understanding of region’s and nation’s history

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Projects: Philadelphia Civic Initiatives
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Pew Awards $1.8 Million to 4 Philadelphia-area Civic Institutions

© National Constitution Center

PHILADELPHIA—The Pew Charitable Trusts announced today that it will provide $1.8 million to four local organizations that are working to inform the public about the history of the nation’s democracy and the enduring contributions of American enterprise and innovation. Grants have been awarded to:

  • Independence Visitor Center: $500,000 over three years to support improvements that will enhance the visitor experience of a growing number of tourists in Philadelphia and enable them to better access information about the region’s cultural and historical attractions. The renovations include interactive kiosks that will provide up-to-date information about activities throughout the region, increased seating to plan itineraries in comfort, and expanded customer service stations, one of which will be operated by the National Park Service.
  • National Constitution Center: $500,000 over two years to support the creation of a permanent exhibit that will promote greater awareness of the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction period on the U.S. Constitution. The new gallery will feature rare copies of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, commonly known as the “Civil War Amendments.” It will also showcase artifacts from the collection of the Gettysburg Foundation, formerly housed at the Civil War Museum of Philadelphia, including fragments of the flag President Lincoln raised at Independence Hall in 1861 while en route to his inauguration.
  • Hagley Museum and Library: $500,000 over three years to support expanded services for businesses and trade associations and further Hagley’s mission to advance research and public knowledge of American invention and entrepreneurship. The new initiative, named Hagley Heritage Curators, will also enhance the museum and library’s collections to reflect the wide spectrum of American enterprise.
  • American Philosophical Society: $300,000 over three years for a series of forums to be presented by the Consortium for History of Science, Technology, and Medicine that will expand public knowledge about the history of pathbreaking scientific developments and their impact on society. The series will draw on the exceptional resources of the Consortium’s 23 member institutions across the U.S. and Canada, and provide accessible, fact-based information on timely and relevant topics. The forums will be recorded and archived online, serving as a digital resource for scholars and the public.

“These investments build on Pew’s legacy of supporting distinguished institutions that are dedicated to promoting the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region and the nation. We are pleased to support their important contributions,” said Frazierita Klasen, the vice president overseeing Pew’s work in Philadelphia. 

Last month, Pew also announced nearly $7 million in grants to support 41 Philadelphia-area nonprofit organizations that serve some of the region’s most vulnerable adults, including those struggling with homelessness, mental health issues, and extended unemployment. 

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The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Learn more at www.pewtrusts.org/philadelphia.