The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable: Join in a discussion of Philadelphia history and issues, and help to shape the project to create an Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia!  During 2011-12, our theme is "Phrasing Philadelphia," as we take a look behind the slogans for the history and ideas that unite and sometimes divide us.

City of Firsts

Philadelphians have claimed the title “City of Firsts” for achievements such as the first hospital in America and the first municipal water system. This discussion focuses on innovation, especially in science and technology.  Moderated by Babak Ashrafi of the Philadelphia Area Center for History of Science with panelists including Michael Zuckerman of the University of Pennsylvania; Steven Peitzman of the Drexel University College of Medicine; and Grover Silcox of WLVT PBS39. Program co-sponsors include the Philadelphia Area Center for History of Science, the Franklin Institute, and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

The program will take place in the Harcourt Room.  Enter through the Business Entrance on 20th Street (to the right of the main front steps).  Validated parking will be available at the discounted rate of $6.  The parking entrance is on 21st Street between Race and Winter Streets.

Everyone who attends will have the opportunity to offer suggestions for The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, a digital information project currently in its planning stages. To prime the discussion, watch for Michael Zuckerman's essay on the City of Firsts in the Currents section of the Philadelphia Inquirer and on philly.com on Sunday, January 15, followed by posting and discussion on Newsworks.org and the Web site of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.

Featured essay:  "City of Firsts"

The Greater Philadelphia Roundtable is a partnership of The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, with the cooperation of many civic partners.  This program has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities' We the People initiative on American history.

Series co-sponsors: Young Involved Philadelphia, WHYY, the Friends of Independence, the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, Philadelphia Media Network, Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, Neighborhood Interfaith Movement, Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities.

Program co-sponsors: the Franklin Institute; the Philadelphia Area Center for History of Science; Academy of Natural Sciences.