Philadelphia art lovers, this is your final call! The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s wonderful exhibition Americana: Photographs 1850–1950 is entering its last days at the Honickman Galleries 156 and 157, closing on October 11, 2026.
On view since July 23, Americana celebrates the nation’s semiquincentennial with an expansive and surprising portrait of American identity told through photography. Spanning a full century — from the earliest years of the medium through the Civil War, industrialization, mass immigration, and two world wars — the exhibition gathers a wide range of photographic practices and formats, many made by unknown professionals and amateurs whose images preserve experiences that might otherwise have been lost to history.
From humble tintypes — the affordable portraits that made photography accessible to everyday Americans — to compelling depictions of communities historically overlooked in dominant narratives, the show highlights the strength and diversity of the museum’s photography collection. It is a beautiful, timely invitation to reflect on what it means to be American, right here in the birthplace of the nation.
If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t miss your chance — there are only a few days left before Americana takes its final bow on Sunday, October 11!
Photo: Philadelphia Museum of Art
