PHIADELPHIA - As Philadelphia prepares to lead the nation's 250th-anniversary celebrations, a landmark new publication is set to offer a fresh, comprehensive look at the region's past and its enduring impact on the country.
The Independence Historical Trust and the Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation will host a free public book launch event on Thursday, November 13, at the Independence Visitor Center for Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century.
This new, three-volume set from the University of Pennsylvania Press redefines the story of the region. It features work from leading scholars and local voices to provide an inclusive and richly illustrated retelling of Greater Philadelphia's history. The project aims to unearth hidden stories, celebrate points of pride, and explore the complex connections that define the city, its suburbs, and its people.
The collection is broken into three volumes:
- The Greater Philadelphia Region (Vol. 1)
- Greater Philadelphia and the Nation (Vol. 2)
- Greater Philadelphia and the World (Vol. 3)
The books are published in association with The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia, which is produced at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) at Rutgers University-Camden.
The launch event, which is free and open to the public, will feature an insightful conversation and audience Q&A with the project's editors, Charlene Mires and Howard Gillette, both Professors Emeriti of History at Rutgers University-Camden. They will discuss the making of this ambitious project, share surprising discoveries about the region, and reflect on Philadelphia's ongoing influence as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026.
Following the discussion, books will be available for purchase and signing by the editors.
Event Details
- What: Book Launch: Greater Philadelphia: A New History for the Twenty-First Century
- When: Thursday, November 13, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:00 p.m.)
- Where: Liberty View Ballroom, Independence Visitor Center (599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106)
- Cost: Free and open to the public. Registration is required.
About the Editors
Charlene Mires is Professor Emerita of History at Rutgers University-Camden, where she directed the Mid-Atlantic Regional Center for the Humanities (MARCH) and led The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia project from 2010 to 2024. She is the author of the award-winning Independence Hall in American Memory and a co-winner of the Pulitzer Prize for General Local Reporting from her previous career as a journalist.
Howard Gillette is a Professor of History Emeritus at Rutgers University-Camden and the immediate past director of MARCH. He specializes in modern U.S. history, with a focus on urban and regional development, and also served as co-editor of the online Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. He is the author of several acclaimed books, including Camden After the Fall: Decline and Renewal in a Post-Industrial City.
