Author: Muriel K, Veep

This Philadelphia chocolate company began as an extract company in 1900 founded by three Blumenthal brothers  in the Old City neighborhood in Philadelphia. Initially the family business specialized in manufacturing flavoring extracts for bottlers, distillers, bakers, and confectioners and soon expanded, in 1905, to add chocolate liquors and cocoa powder to its product line. The…

A Society for Industrial Archeology Presentation by Arron Kotlensky and Steve Walton Thursday, November 20, 2025, 5 p.m. Eastern (US & Canada From its beginnings in 1817 through the Civil War, the West Point Foundry of Cold Spring, New York stood out as a pioneer of heavy industry capable of making ordnance and durable goods…

This website provides you—and others who care about the past and future of Philadelphia—a rich collection of sources about the South Philadelphia refinery complex and other petrochemical sites along the lower Schuylkill River. Fundamentally, this website is a research tool: a digital archive accompanied by reference works and maps. Stakeholders at various levels—neighborhood, municipal, commonwealth,…

Virtual program, November 14, 2025 The talk is a nostalgic look at the museum’s origins, its first 50 years of service, highlights of its programs and projects, and prospects for the future. Railroad Museum Director, Patrick C. Morrison, will use archival and contemporary images to share some of the more notable and memorable aspects of…

American Swedish Historical Museum presents USS Monitor: The Little Ship that Saved the Nation Virtual Lunchtime Lecture by John QuarsteinFriday, November 7th – 12:00–1:00 pm John Quarstein, Director Emeritus of the USS Monitor Center, will explore the fascinating history of 19th-century Swedish American inventor and engineer John Ericsson and the role his ironclad ship played…