September Advocacy Update

Coalition Opposes Exhibit Changes at Independence Park

A major battle is unfolding over how our nation’s history is told at National Park Service units, specifically Independence National Historical Park. In March, President Trump issued an executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” directing federal sites to eliminate “divisive narratives.” Since then, Independence Park, home to the Liberty Bell and the President’s House Site, has been flagged for potential interpretative changes.

In response, the Preservation Alliance organized a coalition of 45 local history and cultural organizations to send a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum strongly opposing any effort to remove or revise exhibits. The groups warn that the administration’s directive could strip away interpretive signage, panels, and displays at area sites, including the President’s House, where exhibits acknowledge the lives of the nine people George Washington enslaved during his presidency.

Philadelphia’s preservationists and historians are united in saying history is not mythology. To erase the stories of enslavement alongside liberty is to distort the past and deny visitors a complete understanding of American history.

With the 250th anniversary of American independence just around the corner, Independence Park will be a focal point for millions of visitors. This is exactly the wrong moment to sanitize our history. 

A Symposium Looking at Reusing, Repurposing, and Reinvigorating the Roundhouse

Sponsored in partnership with docomomo-phl chapter.

Be part of the conversation on the future of the Philadelphia Police Administration Building, better known as the Roundhouse!

Join us on Wednesday, October 29, from 12-6 PM, at WHYY for a half-day public symposium featuring:

- Reuse presentations from selected design teams

- Insightful keynote speakers

- A networking cocktail reception

Reserve your spot today and be part of shaping the Roundhouse’s next chapter.

Call for Concepts Closing Soon!

We are inviting architects, designers, students, and interdisciplinary teams to submit conceptual adaptive reuse proposals for the Roundhouse. Selected proposals will be featured at the public symposium.

Submission deadline is tomorrow, September 19, at 11:59 PM.

This fall, the School District of Philadelphia will be making difficult decisions about its facilities. Newly released data makes clear that many school buildings are in need of major work. However, the conversation cannot stop at numbers and spreadsheets, as our schools are neighborhood anchors that embody community history and identity.

We believe preservation and rehabilitation should be at the center of the School District’s strategy. Renovation often costs less than new construction and avoids the waste of demolition. Meanwhile, former schools like Bok in South Philadelphia show how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into historic buildings while continuing to serve their communities.

In a recent letter to the Philadelphia Inquirer, our Executive Director urges the District to prioritize upkeep, preservation, and reuse, building on our report released last month. ​

Step Forward for the “Saucer”

Good news for one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable modern landmarks, the former Philadelphia Hospitality Center at Love Park. Designed by Roy Larson of Harbeson, Hough, Livingston and Larson (H2L2), the building has welcomed tourists into the western half of the city for over 60 years. A decade ago, the Preservation Alliance, specifically our Young Friends group, led a successful effort to preserve the saucer during the Love Park renovations.

As our next act of advocating for this landmark, the Preservation Alliance submitted a nomination to the Philadelphia Historical Commission. On September 3, the Committee on Historic Designation recommended historic designation for the “Saucer” building at 1501 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

Next month, the full Philadelphia Historical Commission will vote on adding the structure to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. This is an important step in recognizing the significance of this mid-century icon.

Christmas is closer than you think, just 98 days away! For nearly 70 years, the Wanamaker Christmas Light Show and Dickens Village have been the heart of Philadelphia’s holiday season, bringing generations of families together in wonder and joy.

But with Macy’s Center City now closed, this iconic tradition is at risk. The Philadelphia Visitor Center, together with the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ and long-time show technicians, is working to bring the Light Show and Dickens Village back in 2025.

To make this vision a reality, we need your support. Every donation brings us one step closer to preserving the magic that has defined childhoods and created lifelong memories for generations.