Cultural Tourism and Heritage in Philadelphia Region Spotlighted by New Rutgers-Camden Initiative

For Immediate Release

CAMDEN --  Thanks to the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, the history, attractions, and attributes of the region are becoming readily accessible in a comprehensive online resource that allows users to read essays written by regional historians on a variety of topics, peruse myriad vintage photographs, and then visit the landmarks as they stand today.

This growing resource for citizens, tourists, and historians alike is positioned for new growth, thanks to a two-year, $81,040 grant from the William Penn Foundation to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) at Rutgers–Camden.

The grant will allow MARCH to enhance the online Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia through the addition of photo galleries of material artifacts; new text about Philadelphia’s history; place-mapping; and more.

The digital encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia project aims to be an exhaustive online history of the region; the last full-scale history of Philadelphia was published in 1982.

The site is searchable by topic or theme, like “Brotherly Love,” or by specific landmarks, like Independence Hall.

“The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to customize how they experience the rich history of our region,” explains Charlene Mires, an associate professor of history and MARCH director, both at Rutgers–Camden.

“We are grateful to the William Penn Foundation for the support that will allow us to grow this online resource to the next level.”  The project also will lead to a print volume, which will be published by the University of Pennsylvania Press.

The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, works to close the achievement gap for low-income children, ensure a sustainable environment, foster creativity that enhances civic life, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. With assets of nearly $2 billion, the Foundation distributes approximately $80 million in grants annually. Learn more about the Foundation at williampennfoundation.org.

Formed in 2001 with a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, MARCH’s mission is to support humanities research, programming, training, and communications throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.

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