Heritage West is a community-informed archaeological project created with the goal of using archaeology to highlight the stories of individuals who lived in the Black Bottom neighborhood of West Philadelphia from the 19th century to the present.

Through the Heritage West Project, we strive to highlight the love, community, and humanity of the Black Bottom neighborhood and recognize the violence of its destruction. 

Heritage West seeks to bring together the Penn and West Philadelphia communities in uncovering lost stories and uplifting the voices of the thriving Black community that was extinguished through racist practices under the guise of urban renewal.

In striving for a more inclusive, righteous, and welcoming environment, Heritage West recognizes the need to start the process of righting the wrongs done to the Black Bottom community and to continue to actively engage with West Philadelphia throughout the project.