Connecting Neighborhoods with their Past: An Analysis of Local Historical Societies and the Value of Engaging Local Communities through Public Programs

This thesis investigates how local historical societies in Philadelphia use public programs to engage their audiences and provide value for their neighborhood communities. Interviews with staff from six local historical societies associated with Philadelphia neighborhoods collected information about these institutions. Responses from participants include information on the content and historical narratives of the collections, the communities served, recent collaboration and partnership with community members or groups, examples of current public programs, and the types of value these activities produce for each historical society. Conclusions from the data collected reveal that while local historical societies use public programs as a one tool to better engage local communities with their institutions, these institutions perceive their value as generating from other aspects of their identity. Additionally, a reliance on partnerships or collaboration with similar cultural institutions or community groups on community history initiatives remains a valuable opportunity for these local historical societies.