Philadelphia

Sam Katz: Philadelphia: the Great Experiment

December 22, 2010 by HughE Dillon 1 Comment

Philadelphia businessman and former mayoral candidate Sam Katz, screened his documentary film project Philadelphia: the Great Experiment at the
Philadelphia History Museum which formerly re-opens next year. You know I’m in heaven about this museum and that Sam Katz is a producer on a documentary on Philadelphia. (I am a huge Philadelphia book, postcard, photograph and everything Philly collector, so this movie is right up my ally. [I feel stress about getting the grammar right on this entry as an editor and film maker might stop by to read it. Feel free to help me out.)
The Philadelphia History Museum used to be called the Atwater Kent Museum of Philadelphia History, but underwent a name change as well as an extensive renovation. Before I recall the museum was dark and jammed packed with objects important in the history of Philadelphia. Now it’s light, airy and roomy. As the museum isn’t officially opened yet, the only room I saw was the renovated meeting room, gone are the view obstructing columns, now there are clear sight lines, and a new sound system. Also you have to check out the new flooring, a full scale map of Philadelphia. Really amazing to see the City on that scale. Can’t wait to see the rest of the museum when it opens next year.
Tom McGrath, Editor of Philadelphia Magazine and Sam Katz did a Q&A after the screening of the 30 minute film which depicts the earlier start of Philadelphia, as well as the significant race and religion divide in the City occurring at the time.


For two years, the businessman and former mayoral candidate led a 126-member team that researched hundreds of years of Philadelphia’s past and kept returning to a period from 1865 to 1876 when the city underwent changes that affect it today. Although the museum is still under renovations, they are holding talks and Q&A’s if you would like to join in. Just check their website for information.

You’ll recall that last January Jimmy Rollins donated several pieces to the new museum at a ceremony at the Visitors Center: http://www.phillychitchat.com/2010/01/jimmy-rollins-class-act-donates.html Sam hopes showing the film will create a buzz that encourages grants and foundation funding for seven one-hour films covering all of the city’s history. Each hour, with its educational features and webisodes for the Internet, costs $700,000 to produce. Visit his website to see how you can help, or schedule a showing at your organization. Philadelphia: the Great Experiment