To Philadelphia, 2276
Commemorated May 2026
We descend from those who first declared our freedom, those denied it, those who fought for it and those who defend it still. We hold fast to our grit, grace and good humor.
We remain a city of immigrants and makers, where hard work and honesty mix with creativity, invention and love of neighbor. We honor no tool before the people it serves. Hoagies endure.
Come what may, Philadelphians still walk, sit on steps and solve more problems than we create. We build to last and put art on the walls. From democracy’s many messy hands, we shape a freer, fairer, more human future.
They do not all love us, but they remember us. We will still boo you.
What’s this all about?
As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, let’s look ahead another quarter millennium.
What will Philadelphia be like in the year 2276?
That’s the project Technical.ly embarked on this year, with the support of the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial. We created an initial draft with feedback from 100 stakeholders, then printed it out and brought it to community events all over the city, from the Northeast to West Philly to Center City and beyond. We got specific feedback from hundreds of individuals, who hailed from diverse backgrounds and were aged 5 to 85.
As we interacted with residents, we were struck by the optimism most people exuded. No matter their take on the present, most people believe the city in 250 years from now can be a better place for more of us.
Now we’re gearing up to publish a permanent version of this vision — think brass plaque! and a mural! — and we’re seeking final comments from all of you.
If you have feelings about the vision statement, or questions, or comments, fill out the form linked on this page. We’ll read and consider each one.
Why should we bother?
The idea here is to create a statement that helps Philadelphia manifest its best future. Not something that whitewashes our challenges, or the problems facing the world, but not doom and gloom either. In the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, if we want to build a better future together, we ought to write it down. That’s how we can hold ourselves, and each other, accountable.
Also! We’re planning a big reveal of the plaque in a very prominent location. It’ll happen in May 2026, along with a fun spectacle history won’t forget. To get more details, enter your email in the form below. We’ll keep you updated as the event comes together, and maybe offer some special perks.
Thanks for contributing! Here’s to another 250 years of the American experiment in its original home.
