It’s hard to review the American Philosophical Society since they have no permanent displays – only temporary exhibits. But, no list of secret Philadelphia gems would be complete without mentioning it. Although it’s not exactly hidden (as it’s located adjacent to Independence Hall), few visitors actually venture inside.  (Note: it is a small space, so it can still get crowded).

The American Philosophical Society is the oldest learned society in the United States. It was founded in 1743 by Benjamin Franklin (who else!!??) for the purpose of “promoting useful knowledge.”  Just about every famous name of the colonial-era, and famous scientists since have been members of the organization.  Ben Franklin was the first president. Thomas Jefferson was president for 17 years. Famous members include: Charles Darwin, Robert Frost, Louis Pasteur, John James Audubon, Margaret Mead, Thomas Edison and J. Robert Oppenheimer. It is still an active organization, supporting researchers in all fields of science.

The current museum building dates from 1783 and houses temporary exhibits.  I’ve seen several exhibits over the years and they have all been filled with amazing primary source documents and artifacts.  The current exhibit (through December 2018), “In Franklin’s Footsteps – 275 Years at the American Philosophical Society,” highlights the work done by APS members since its founding.  Lots of photos below. I couldn’t narrow down the selection any further – there was just so much cool stuff!

These terrific illustrations by Arctic Explorer Elisha Kane:

American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Trying to free their ship from the ice
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Polar bear butt!
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Darwin’s handwritten title page for “On the Origin of Species”
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Ben Franklin’s notes for his electricity experiments *NOTE: this one is on temporary loan from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Boston as a prize for the Eagles defeating the Patriots in last year’s Superbowl.
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
One of John Bartram’s botanical illustrations – of the Franklinia (named after….), now extinct in the wild, but still common in cultivation.
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Books from Franklin’s personal library
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Bikini Atoll atomic bomb test photographs
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Physicist John Wheeler’s research notebooks – he built on Einstein’s theory of general relativity and coined the term “black hole.”
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
Baruch Blumberg’s Nobel Prize for discovering the hepatitis B virus and creating a vaccine for it.
American Philosophical Society Philadelphia
One of Lewis & Clark’s notebooks

American Philosophical Society Philadelphia

This was probably the most disturbing item in the collection – a letter by Teddy Roosevelt supporting the Eugenics movement.  I realize that this was a thing (and not just with the Nazis).  But… “I agree… that society has no business to permit degenerates to reproduce their kind”????!!!! A bit ironic as Teddy was so sickly as a child that they didn’t think he would survive.  I’ve always been a big Teddy fan, but this does tarnish his standing a bit.

Note: The museum has odd hours – they are only open Thursday-Sunday from mid-April through December.

Location: Old City

Field Trips: The museum offers low cost, guided tours of their current exhibitions.  It’s a nice way for the kids to see an amazing collection of primary source documents and artifacts.  We lucked out that they had a Thomas Jefferson exhibit on the year we studied early American History and were able to see Jefferson’s personal, hand written copy of the Declaration – complete with edits.

https://www.amphilsoc.org/