The following archives hold materials on the history of Philadelphia's built environment. Most of the content is only available onsite, not online. You often need to make an appointment before visiting an archive. See the policies on their websites.
Temple's SCRC Urban Archives documents the social, economic, political, and physical development of the greater Philadelphia region throughout the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries.
The collections of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania include those of the Balch Institute for Ethnic Studies and the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and document, from the perspective of the Philadelphia region, the diverse members, migrations, and experiences of the American family, the roots of the United States, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s history.
The Athenaeum of Philadelphia’s archives celebrate the rich and diverse history of architecture, urban planning, and historic preservation in Philadelphia.
