Philly Fall Arts Guide: Local museum exhibits in October
Francis may actually be in Philadelphia for only two late-September days, but a number of nonart cultural institutions are using his appearance, at the end of the World Meeting of Families, as a reason to pull together months-long exhibitions related not only to the church, but to all manner of religious issues.
This is the season of the pope.
Francis may actually be in Philadelphia for only two late-September days, but a number of nonart cultural institutions are using his appearance, at the end of the World Meeting of Families, as a reason to pull together months-long exhibitions related not only to the church, but to all manner of religious issues.
The Franklin Institute, the National Constitution Center, the Free Library of Philadelphia, the Penn Museum, the Academy of Natural Sciences, the Rosenbach of the Free Library, and the World Meeting of Families - all are mounting pope-inspired exhibitions. In fact, the pope casts such a powerful presence, some highly unusual shows might be overlooked in the whirl of Pope-buzz.
The Rosenbach, for instance, is hosting an exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of "Alice in Wonderland," including a weeklong display of the original manuscript (which once called Philadelphia its home).
And the American Swedish Historical Society is mounting a show on labor icon Joe Hill, born in Sweden and executed in Utah 100 years ago this year.
Not to mention, of course, that on Oct. 24, the Franklin Institute will be opening SportsZone, a $3.1 million permanent exhibition devoted to the precision and science of sport. Full of high-tech wizardry, SportsZone is designed to illustrate how science, technology and engineering maximize an athlete's performance potential.
United Stockholms of America: The Swedes Who Stayed
The American Swedish Historical Museum, Sept. 13-Feb. 28
There are at least eight towns named Stockholm in the United States, and Swedish photographer Charlie Bennet visited them all seeking to capture their "Swedishness."
215-389-1776, americanswedish.org
Politics in Graphic Detail
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Sept. 16, no closing date
This digital exhibition features 125 political cartoons.
215-732-6200, hsp.org
Town Halls
National Constitution Center, various dates, Sept. through the end of the year.
Highlights of the fall's series of debates, panels, and talks include The Court and the World, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, Sept. 17, 2 p.m.; The Legacy of Reconstruction, David M. Kennedy and Jack Rakove, Judge Janice Rogers Brown, Nov. 5, 9 a.m.; Why Reconstruction Matters, Eric Foner, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.
215-409-6600, constitutioncenter.org
Vatican Splendors
Franklin Institute, Sept. 19-Feb. 15.
The exhibition, containing many objects that have never left the Vatican before, takes the visitor through 2,000 years of church history. On view will be archaeological finds, ancient mosaics, a reliquary containing the bones of SS. Peter and Paul, and art by Giotto, di Cambio, Michelangelo, Bernini, Guercino and Sassoferrato.
215-448-1200, fi.edu
Verbum Domini II: God's Word Goes Out to the Nations
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Sept. 21-26
Mounted by the World Meeting of Families and the Washington D.C.-based Museum of the Bible, this show featured more than 80 artifacts, including fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
855-963-2015, worldmeeting2015.org
American Faith - The Origin and Meaning of Religious Liberty
National Constitution Center, Sept. 21, 5 p.m.
Panels debate the historical and contemporary aspects of religious liberty in America.
215-409-6600, constitutioncenter.org
Climate Change: A New Dialogue
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Sept. 21, 6:30 p.m.
In response to Pope Francis' call for a "new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet," the academy holds a public forum of environmental advocates, scientists and community members on climate change and the future.
215-299-1000, ansp.org
George Washington Letters
National Museum of American Jewish History, Sept. 22-Oct. 4
The museum will display George Washington's letter to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, R.I. and his letter to Roman Catholics. Together these documents convey Washington's dedication to religious liberty.
215-923-3811, nmajh.org
Reptiles: The Beautiful and the Deadly
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Sept. 30-Jan. 10
Nearly 20 species of live reptiles will be on display, including a bearded dragon, Gila monster, crocodile, alligator, chameleon, gecko, python, viper, cobra, and more. All will be nestled in naturalistic habitats.
215-299-1000, ansp.org
Peddlers and the Great Jewish Migration to the New World
Hagley Museum and Library, Oct. 1, 7 p.m.
New York University professor Hasia Diner discusses Jewish peddlers and their lives of entrepreneurship, opportunity, and hardship from the 18th through the 20th century.
302-658-2400, hagley.org
Science at Play
Museum at Chemical Heritage Foundation, opens Oct. 2
This unusual exhibition will feature chemistry sets and science toys from the museum's collection and explores everything from the marketing efforts directed at parents to the passion for discovery and mayhem found in kids.
215-925-2222, chemheritage.org
Immortal Beauty: Highlights from the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection
Drexel University Westphal College's Leonard Pearlstein Gallery Oct. 2-Dec. 14
This show wends its way from a fragment of 16th-century Italian velvet to a 2012 evening dress by Alexander Wang.
215-895-2000, drexel.edu/now
Edgar Allan Poe: Deep Into That Darkness
Laurel Hill Cemetery, Oct. 6, 6 p.m.
A walking tour focusing on Poe's time in Philadelphia (1838-1844), the literature he produced, and his friends, associates and enemies, many of whom now reside permanently at Laurel Hill.
215-228-8200, thelaurelhillcemetery.org
Explore Philly's Buried Past 2015
Philadelphia Archaeological Forum at the National Constitution Center, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.
An annual event focusing on local archaeology. This year, among other things, findings from the excavation at the Museum of the American Revolution site will be presented.
Down the Rabbit Hole: Celebrating 150 Years of Alice in Wonderland
Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Oct. 14-March 27
The title tells it all. The Rosenbach has one of the most extensive collections of "Alice" materials in the world. As an added attraction, the original manuscript (once owned by A.S.W. Rosenbach), has been loaned by the British Museum and will be on view Oct. 14-18. There are many related programs and events.
215-732-1600, rosenbach.org
Sex: A History in 30 Objects
Penn Museum, Oct. 17-July 31
Societies have approached sexuality and identity in different ways over time, as revealed in this small show.
215-898-4000, penn.museum
Fighting Back: Defending the LGBT Mind and Body in Pennsylvania
Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Oct. 18-19
Symposium will examine early AIDS history and the 1970s fight to shed the label of mental illness.
215-732-6200, hsp.org
The Clergy and the Academy's Collections
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, through Oct. 23.
Featured are plant and animal specimens, objects, books and archival materials associated with "clergy naturalists," such as Lutheran minister/naturalist John Bachman (1790-1874), who collected the now-extinct Bachman's warbler, painted by John James Audubon.
215-299-1000, ansp.org
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Friends: The Art of Bernard Waber
National Museum of American Jewish History, through Nov. 1
This is the first major exhibition to explore the life and career of children's book writer and illustrator Bernard Waber (1921-2013). The show will feature more than 90 original illustrations and preliminary sketches, dummy books, art supplies, and other memorabilia.
215-923-3811, www.nmajh.org
Religious Liberty and the Founding of America
National Constitution Center, through Jan. 3
Organized around three themes - Religious Liberty in Colonial America, Religious Liberty in the Constitution, and the Legacy of Religious Liberty, this exhibition explores the complex and evolving meaning of an idea central to American life and law. Benjamin Franklin's 1741 printing of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, which empasized religious tolerance, will be displayed, along with works by Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and James Madison.
215-409-6600, constitutioncenter.org
Sacred Stories: The World's Religious Traditions
The Free Library of Philadelphia, through Jan. 30
A showcase of sacred texts and notable books, such as the Eliot Indian Bible - the first Bible printed in North America (and translated into the language of the Algonquins); Martin Luther's first German New Testament printed in Wittenburg in 1522; and the first translation of the Koran into English, known as the Alcoran of Mahomet, printed in London in 1649.
215-686-5322, reelibrary.org
Catholics in the New World: A Selection of 16th-18th Century Texts
Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia, through Jan. 31
This small exhibition features some of the earliest Catholic works from the Americas, including the 1544 Doctrina Breve, the oldest surviving book printed in the Western Hemisphere; and the 1584 Doctrina Christiana, the oldest book published in South America.
215-732-1600, rosenbach.org
Fashioning Philadelphia: The Style of the City, 1720-1940
Library Company of Philadelphia, through March 4
Tracing fashion high and low, the show also explores Philadelphia as a shaper of American ideas about how to dress.
215-546-3181, librarycompany.org
Workers of the World, Awaken! The Life and Legacy of Joe Hill
The American Swedish Historical Museum, ongoing
A small photographic exhibition commemorates the 100th anniversary of the execution of legendary Swedish-born labor activist, cartoonist, and songwriter Joe Hill.
215-389-1776, americanswedish.org
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