New Fishtown museum explores Philadelphia's reputation and civic pride

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A new museum set to open in Philadelphia's Fishtown neighborhood will spotlight the city's famously unruly reputation while also highlighting the sense of community and resilience that residents embrace.

The Museum of the Philadelphian, located on East Girard Avenue, is the creation of Brian Adoff, who describes the space as a "micro-museum" examining both the celebrated and controversial aspects of Philadelphia culture.

"This is specifically a paper-mache greased pole you're seeing behind me, which visitors can come and see, learn a little about the history," Adoff said. "Because we as Philadelphians don't care what anyone thinks of us. This city gets both its worst behavior and also its best people."

According to Adoff, the approximately 300-square-foot museum features exhibits focused on some of the city's most well-known incidents and traditions.

Displays cover topics including booing, throwing objects at games, the 1968 snowball incident and HitchBOT, the hitchhiking robot that was destroyed in Philadelphia in 2015.

Adoff said the museum aims to tell a fuller story behind those events.

"And the story that's not told is the people who banded together and offered to rebuild the robot also raised money for the robot," he said.

The museum also includes an exhibit exploring what defines a Philadelphian. Adoff said the qualities highlighted include not waiting for permission, not caring what others think and continuing forward regardless of encouragement.

Adoff said he hopes visitors leave feeling inspired to become the best version of themselves.

The Museum of the Philadelphian is scheduled to open Sept. 25.

For more information, visit MuseumOfThePhiladelphian.org.