Awakening (1900-1920) - Philadelphia: The Great Experiment

In 1900, Philadelphia welcomes the new century with a burst of energy. As immigrants flow in, they find a metropolis of smoke and machines making every product under the sun. But a political machine keeps thousands of children working in the factories, too. For newly arrived Europeans and Black migrants from the South, it will take genius and grit to bend the old lines of power. This episode carries the viewer on a tour de force of the booming city that launched a baseball dynasty, a skyscraper boom, and the voice of a generation.

Executive Producer: Sam Katz
Directed by Andrew Ferrett
Written by Nathaniel Popkin
Editor: Rachel Sophia Stewart
Associate Producer: Jonathan Kohl
Co-Producers: Andrew Ferrett and Nathaniel Popkin
Segment Producer: Wendy Cox
Director of Photography: Paul Van Haute
Original Music by Patrick De Caumette
Sound Design: Dan La Porta
Creative Director: Virginia Lasco
Narration by Michael Boatman

[bigmountain]

My Mom grew up right around the corner from Shibe Park. She was born in 1922. When I was little before they built the Vet, I went to my first baseball game there. Ancient History Lol!!

[andrearothmaller]

Wow, I have been looking for this clip. That's our choir, , Minister of music, and the Choir Director, who is my sister. She never saw this.y Pastor William B.Moore. the Majestic Choir of TMBC!! IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE!

[SarahWestCureKissQueen]

This did a wonderful Job telling us about the 1910, 1911, and 1913 World Series, because in October 1910, Philadelphia got it's very first of many championships, Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics defeated the Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 1.

[gortbot]

Philadelphia born and raised, about 8 blocks off Germantown and Mt Airy . I've lived in the Midwest for 50 years. Now I'm having a giant homesick attack. Thanks for a well made documentary.

[msgflash]

Whoever put this together - I thank you, sincerely. I encourage you to continue, as you seem to have found a niche unto your own .

[jccurran]

This is the first that I caught this "Great Êxperiment" series. I am thôroughly enjoying it! Family í from South Philadelphia. Thanks for the upload. 11/29/19

[sarge]

Another superior episode of incredibly awesome series. Thank you for your excellent history of my beloved hometown. ❤

[KennethDAstonJr]

Growing up in the Philadelphia region I love all your videos they are so filled with information, great photos, and history! I must watch for everyone!

[BlackishStars]

Omg I reslly love this stuff. Please make more ya tq

[mtanyctrainatlantamartatra]

Great documentary. Shame on them using kids with such dangerous conditions

[dchang]

Fun Fact: Rose Dewitt Bukatter in the 1997 film Titanic has roots in Villanova, PA. Her character is based on Lucile Carter, a teenager and survivor who was preparing for her Philadelphia society debut.

[bibliusz]

the best documentary i've seen in my life

[yvonneplant]

This series should have been on PBS.

Can't thank Sam Katz enough for doing it. 🎉

[thjrny]

This is really great stuff! It’s surprising that they never mentioned the Spanish Flu pandemic that happened from 1918-1920 I believe. But this was still an amazing documentary of the history of Philly during that time period 👍🏾

[danielblake]

Lol I honestly thought this was about the "The Philadelphia Experiment" where a U.S. naval cruiser ship supposedly vanished out of thin air and some of its men were on the ship to see if they could basically go through a wormhole/portal but I guess this is about something totally different because I don't see not one comment talking about any of that stuff lol

[lisalasoya]

Whoever put this together, did it in November 1960's with respect to child labor. In addition, from assembly line these kids with missing fingers, and hands possibly, graduated to a job that takes this undesirable out of site statue 101 & 102 of title 1.

[rsin-uhec]

HOW SO VERY MUCH ENJOYED WATCHING THIS VIDEO AND HOPE TO SEE MORE ABOUT A CITY I CALL ROBBIE PHILADELPHIA PA FISHTOWN

[teddawg]

when my father's side arrived via Ottawa and Kiev...they were cigar makers

[ianwells]

This episode spent an oddly long time on baseball. Maybe they just had a lot of footage? Definetly other things that were happening that were important.

[Wanamaker]

P.A.B. Widener built and owned those little railroad lines that many still are there. That’s how Lynnwood Hall was financed. He went down on the Titanic.