Talking with museum colleagues outside the Philadelphia region, they often comment on how fortunate Philadelphia is to have such an outstanding program offering leadership and capacity-building in the preservation and historic site community.

Stephen Hague
Executive Director, Stenton

 

Research

Over the last six years, the Heritage Philadelphia Program has funded a number of studies that professionals in the field may find useful.  These studies document:

  • Audience research in the region
  • The presentation of history in local historical organizations
  • The presentation of history in non-traditional venues
  • Demographics of historic sites in the region
  • Opportunities and challenges for increasing tourism in the region

Summaries of these studies, with links to PDFs of the full studies, are below. 

Profiles of Exemplary Organizations & Programs

This matrix and the related profiles include information on selected history organizations and interpretive programs that are considered strong models by field standards. It is excerpted from a baseline study commissioned by Heritage Philadelphia Program in 2006, on the state of our program as it relates to the state of the field. The research was carried out by Pam Korza and Barbara Schaffer Bacon of Animating Democracy, a program of Americans for the Arts.

Profiles were compiled using substantial excerpts from other sources. Those sources are cited at the bottom of each profile.

Tri-State Coalition for Historic Places Audience Study
Executive Summary

A summary of audience demographics and interests collected by the Institute for Learning Innovation on behalf of the Tri-State Coalition for Historic Places. The study examined:

  • Demographic characteristics of potential visitors to the Philadelphia area
  • Sights people want to see when they visit the Philadelphia area
  • Activities people want to do when they visit the Philadelphia area
  • Content and thematic interest and expectations of potential visitors and
  • Interpretive themes they find appealing

Exhibitions in Non-Traditional Venues Research

A feasibility study to determine the possibility and practicality of exhibiting history in non-traditional venues like airports and malls throughout the region.

Regional Historic Site Survey

This survey represents the first large-scale study of site characteristics and includes information from more than 100 sites.  The survey, completed in 2000, collected data regarding the demographics of sites, including:

  • Mission
  • Governance structure and ownership
  • Visitation
  • Operating budget
  • Membership
  • Staffing
  • Programs and Activities
  • Collections
  • Other administrative factors
  • Attitudes regarding the practice of public history

Fostering Collaboration between Historical Organizations and Tourism Agencies

A study to determine the most effective ways to foster collaboration between historical organizations and tourism officials.  Outlines:

  • Need to connect constituents and services
  • Gaps in services
  • Opportunities for collaboration