Philadelphia’s former history museum has become a deteriorating blight on East Market Street.
The Atwater Kent building, a historic landmark located at 15 S. Seventh St. in Philadelphia, once served as the original home of The Franklin Institute before transitioning to the Philadelphia History Museum in 1938. For nearly eight decades, this neoclassical structure stood as a tribute to the city’s rich past, housing an expansive collection of artifacts that depicted Philadelphia’s history. However, since the museum’s closure in 2018, the building has fallen into a state of disrepair, becoming a blighted site in the heart of the city.
The present condition of the Atwater Kent is strikingly dissimilar to its former glory. Chainlink fencing has been erected around the entrance, which is now boarded up, and the building’s once-magnificent Pennsylvania blue marble façade is marred by neglect. Over time, various items, including a bronze plaque commemorating the history of Philadelphia, have been removed or vandalized. The grounds, once a tranquil garden for museum visitors, are now littered with plastic bottles, hypodermic needles, and other debris, indicative of a broader pattern of neglect.
The City of Philadelphia is the current owner of this historic property, and its derelict state raises concerns about governance and urban management. Following the Sixers’ abandonment of plans for a new arena in the nearby East Market corridor, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and City Council pledged to develop a new master plan for the economically challenged area. Yet, discussions surrounding the future of the Atwater Kent building have been largely absent from these planning efforts.
Over the years, the Atwater Kent has been entangled in complex legal disputes related to the will of A. Atwater Kent, the late radio manufacturer who donated the property to the city. The will stipulates that the building reverts back to Kent’s estate should it cease to serve as a museum. Currently, the city acts as the steward of the property while pressure mounts from preservationists and city residents who have raised alarms about its deterioration.
In recent years, complaints regarding maintenance issues and illegal dumping have repeatedly surfaced, with nearly a dozen reports filed between 2019 and 2023, according to municipal records. Preservation advocates have expressed their frustration, urging city officials to uphold the historical integrity of the site. However, city spokesperson Sharon Gallagher noted that since few complaints have created compelling reasons for inspection, monitoring has not been prioritized.
Philadelphia’s historical assets are substantial, yet the management of properties like the Atwater Kent raises questions about civic responsibility and the maintenance of public spaces. The building, which once housed artifacts such as George Washington’s presidential desk and Ben Franklin’s music stand, now serves as a reminder of neglect amid a city gearing up for a significant anniversary celebration in 2026.
As restoration efforts remain uncertain and the building continues to deteriorate, the sentiment is clear: stakeholders must recognize the historical importance of the Atwater Kent site and take actionable steps toward its rehabilitation. The fate of this once-great museum building is emblematic of broader challenges facing historic preservation in urban America.
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