What's At Stake

We've watched it happen: Philadelphia slowly emerging from a post-industrial decline. This means more planning, more ideas, and intensifying pressure on every aspect of the built environment.

With more at stake, we need more insight, more context, and more voices in on the conversation about the city's future. That’s exactly the thinking behind the Hidden City Daily. For a year, we've pushed to broaden the Philadelphia narrative with 1,000 stories that take you behind the scenes of America’s fifth largest city.

Buck Hosiery | Photo: Theresa Stigale

"Hidden City digs into the back streets and basements of old Philadelphia. Who wouldn't want to do that? They do the uncovering, research the facts and serve the public by telling the story of our past. Thank you for doing a great job." -- a reader

Hidden City Philadelphia delivers original reporting, insight, and analysis on topics like historic preservation, urban exploring, contemporary architecture, and hidden landscapes. We look at the city’s history and imagine the city's future. And we do it all in a format that's fun and engaging to read.

Why It Matters

With so much complexity surrounding the changing city, it’s critical that we provide the strongest writing and photography to dig deeper and think more broadly about the challenges and opportunities we face.

"Smart, timely, necessary" -- a reader

Photo: Theresa Stigale

We pledge 100 percent independent, original content--from sharp writing to the very best photography--with minimal advertising: 250 feature stories in the coming year to raise the level of discourse about the city, reveal hidden landscapes, and inspire action.

A New Model For On-Line Journalism

In the last year, we built this project with a matching grant from the Knight Foundation. Year two means creating a diverse basis for support that starts with readers like you. We are creating a smart, informed conversation about Philadelphia. But to do it, we need to invest in writers and photographers who will see beyond the surface, and in opinion leaders who have something to say.

"I love good writing about great cities, and the place of both in our lives."-- a reader

Photo: Theresa Stigale

This sort of journalism isn't cheap, but we think it is absolutely necessary--and entirely in our reach. This city is as big and fascinating as we can make it, as amazing as you can dream it.

Video Credit: Andrew Ferrett, studio courtesy of History Making Productions