In 2008 the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia achieves 70 years as Philadelphia's city history museum. It is a fitting time to both celebrate the past and move into the future. In January 2009, AKMP embarks upon renovations to its 183 year-old historic building, the first major capital improvement project at the Museum since the 1960s. When it is completed in 2010, visitors will have access to 21st century museum facilities within the celebrated building designed by John Haviland in 1826. Our goal is nothing less than to reposition the museum as a leading cultural institution in Philadelphia.

On the capital improvements drawing board is: a media-driven, interactive overview of Philadelphia history in the Experience Philadelphia! Gallery on the first floor; two new galleries on the second floor; a flexible-use Collection Study Center on the third floor; integration of media and interactivity in exhibitions throughout the building; improved environmental conditions, safety, and accessibility; and increased capacity for earned revenue opportunities and diverse programming.

Another building improvement involves removal of the four columns in the large galleries on the first and second floors that interrupt site lines and challenge exhibit designers. Architects and engineers have removed small portions of the ceiling in these galleries to determine the weight-bearing supports required when the columns are removed. The result will open gallery spaces for enhanced exhibitions and an improved visitor experience.

As a first step in the capital improvement process, AKMP secured City Capital Program funds in 2006 to prepare two essential planning documents: a Historic Structure Report, prepared by John Milner, Architects, that provides the framework to preserve the character of the National Register listed building; and a Capital Projects Master Plan prepared by EwingCole, Architects, to adapt the structure for contemporary use. Both documents were completed in 2007.

The critical second step in renovating a historic building is securing funding to support renovation from the initial architectural drawings to the grand reopening. AKMP is pleased to report that $4 million of the $5 million project budget has been secured through grants and private funds during the last year. Grants have been awarded from City Capital Budget Grants; Citywide Capital Grant Funds; Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Capital Grants; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Keystone Preservation Grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; the McLean Contributionship; and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition, a grant from the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts is supporting a Capital Projects Manager to oversee building improvements.

As we near the last quarter of 2008, final architectural drawings, budget estimates, and grant contracts are being completed. This is an extraordinary time for Philadelphia's history museum and plans are underway for ongoing school programs, a lively schedule of adult and family programs, and a greatly enhanced Web site while AKMP is closed for renovations in 2009. When the Atwater Kent reopens in 2010, Philadelphians will enjoy additional galleries, dynamic exhibitions, a Collection Study Center for families as well as scholars, full accessibility, and a new environmental system to protect the collection.

Watch the AKMP Web site and the media for news of a closing party in December before renovations begin!

The Historic AKMP Building

The structure that houses the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia has been a significant cultural and educational landmark since it was designed and built in 1825-26 by John Haviland. For more than a century, it was home to The Franklin Institute. When The Institute moved to its present headquarters on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 1933, the newly elected mayor, S. Davis Wilson, and Frances Wistar, president of the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, asked inventor and radio pioneer A. Atwater Kent to purchase the building and create a history museum for the City of Philadelphia. Kent agreed, bought the building in 1938, and gave it to the city. Since it reopened with the name of its principal benefactor on April 19, 1941, it has served as the official museum of Philadelphia history.

When Haviland received the Franklin Institute commission, he was internationally famous for his plan for Eastern State Penitentiary, built 1821-37. The AKMP building is one of only four surviving examples of Haviland's work, along with Eastern State Penitentiary, St. George's Greek Orthodox Cathedral on South 8th Street (formerly St. Andrew's Episcopal Church), and Hamilton Hall, part of the University of the Arts located at Broad and Pine Streets.

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