How Drexel U. Will Loan Out Items From Philly’s Famed Atwater Kent Collection
Rosalind Remer reveals public access plans for Philadelphia History Museum treasures at Gloria Dei Church, 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 13
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 26, 2024 –- Rosalind Remer will detail Drexel University’s plans to make treasures from the famous Atwater Kent Collection accessible to the public … without having a brick-and-mortar museum.
She’ll do this Wednesday, March 13, 7 p.m. at Historic Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Church, 916 S. Swanson Street (Columbus Blvd. and Christian Street) in the Queen Village section of Philadelphia.
Admission is $10, which includes a drink ticket for a beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Advance registration is highly recommended at www.preserveoldswedes.org/drexel
Remer, a senior official at Drexel, will describe what’s in the collection, how each piece from the former Philadelphia History Museum is being evaluated … and also discuss the university’s ambitious plans to loan items to area organizations.
Over 130,00 items are included
Notable pieces among the extraordinary collection’s 130,000 items are: the desk that George Washington used as President while in Philadelphia; a wampum belt reportedly given to William Penn after his treaty with the local Lenape Indians; a drinking glass owned by Benjamin Franklin; a hat worn by President Abraham Lincoln on the way to his first inauguration; and Philly champ Joe Frazier’s boxing gloves.
When money problems forced the 80-year-old history museum to close in 2018, Drexel stepped in at the city’s request.
Its mammoth task: to evaluate the collection’s historical value piece-by-piece, and design a way for this extraordinary collection of collections to remain accessible to the public – without opening a brick-and-mortar museum.
Remer will report on Drexel’s plans and progress in providing public access to the collection. In the past, she directed planning efforts for the National Constitution Center and was executive director of the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary; today, she also is chair of the board of managers of the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, the nonprofit owner of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Meet-and-Mingle Reception Afterward
Part of “Great Talks at Gloria Dei,” this program will take place inside the church sanctuary. A Meet-and-Mingle reception with the speaker will follow in nearby Riverside Hall. Attendance there is limited to 75 people. For a modest donation, you can sample delicious gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee or tea at the reception.
This program is hosted by the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation. One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event will go toward the preservation of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and its graveyard.
Contact: Jim Murphy: Cell: 610-506-3024
Email: murfman1@comcast.net