When the Historical Society of Pennsylvania decided to build a Web site that would explore Philadelphia’s neighborhoods through the lens of place, we asked people in those neighborhoods to tell us which places are and were meaningful to them. Over the past three years, we have been building content for the PhilaPlace Web site not only by drawing on the rich collections at HSP (like the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies Collections , The Philadelphia Record Photo Morgue, and the Society Print Collection, to name just a few), but also by collecting memories, stories, and photographs from the people who live or have lived in South Philadelphia and Northern Liberties and Kensington. The contributions PhilaPlace has collected from the community deepen the richness of the historical record by adding the personal stories and memories that make history real, and truly public.

In the fall of 2007, over seventy-five people came out to share their memories and photographs with PhilaPlace at our neighborhood events in South Philadelphia and at Northern Liberties. In search of more stories, the PhilaPlace team went out into the neighborhoods again in the spring and summer of 2008 with a team of student videographers to interview people about their neighborhoods and the places that matter to them. Others have called us after reading about PhilaPlace and generously offered to share their stories and photos, and we continue to collect from the community in anticipation of the Web launch. Once PhilaPlace.org goes live in early December, visitors will be able to contribute their written memories and stories and post their own photos and video clips directly to the site.

Myron Shegda shared stories of growing up in Northern Liberties

Cora Turpin, longtime resident of Northern Liberties

Harriet Rosenberg and her son, Murray. The Rosenbergs have roots in both South Philly and Northern Liberties

From North Marshall Street to South 9th Street, several generations of residents have shared their memories of living, working, and playing on the streets of two of Philadelphia’s oldest and fastest-changing neighborhoods. Their stories and photographs span the twentieth century, and range from national events such as the Sesquicentennial celebration on Broad Street in 1926, the Depression, and World War II, to the intensely local: New Year’s Day Mummers Parades; Sunday visits to grandparents; shopping on 9th Street; living above the family business; and working at the Navy Yard.

Below is just a sampling of the people we’ve met so far and the stories they’ve shared. Be sure to check back with us in the coming weeks as we share more of these stories on this blog as a preview of what you’ll find on the PhilaPlace Web site when it launches in December.

Charles Veasey shared stunning oversized photos of the old Schmidt’s brewing plant, rescued from the trash heap by Charles’s brother John, who was head of security for the plant.

Joe Figurski of Front and Carpenters streets shared what he called his “memories of Mummery” from a lifetime of a strutting down Broad Street on New Year’s Day.

Adab Ibrahim and Joe Brenman shared their experience of creating the Doorways to Peace community mural at the  Al-Aqsa Islamic Society mosque in Kensington.

Vince Maurelli of Colorado Street in South Philadelphia shared photos of his grandfather Vincenzo, who sold produce from his huckster’s cart in the 9th Street Market at the turn of the century. Vince also shared his memories of  attending the Sesquicentennial celebration on South Broad Street in 1926. Here’s Vince with a photograph of himself as a little boy at the Sesquicentennial:

Thoai Nguyen of 7th & Wolf shared the story of his family, who came to South Philadelphia from Vietnam in 1975 and were the first Southeast Asian family in the neighborhood.