From the earliest days of Philadelphia, when the Lenape Native Americans first came into contact with William Penn and the Quakers, to the city’s most recent history, typified by its resurgence, fiscal recovery and the influence of immigration, the story of Philadelphia has unfolded in unpredictable, often disturbing, and yet astonishing ways.

Central to the city’s early days was the very birth of our nation. Yet, over the years, this story was often marred by gross flaws including slavery, racism, inequality and violence. But the story is also one of achievement and unprecedented advances. There is, throughout, a spirit of striving.

And we’re still telling that story.

It is a remarkable drama, centuries in the making, now brought to life by the multipart documentary, “In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Andrew Ferrett, written by author Nathaniel Popkin and produced by West Mt. Airy’s Sam Katz, winner of the 2021 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film.

“In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America” is the first multi-part documentary series to explore the history of American democratic life through the experience of one city. And, as the producers suggest, no one city anywhere in the country is better suited to tell the story of America than Philadelphia.

“In Pursuit” is narrated by actor Michael Boatman, with an original score by internationally recognized composer Daniel Slatkin.

The story is told through the eyes and with the expertise of more than 200 scholars, journalists, artists, activists and everyday people – among them Grammy nominee Ursula Rucker, Lincoln Prize winner Allen Guelzo, Pulitzer Prize winners David McCullough and Dan Biddle, renowned sociologist Marcus Anthony Hunter, Lenape/Delaware educator Jeremy Johnson, groundbreaking historian Sophia Rosenfeld, and longtime journalist Andrea Mitchell.

“In Pursuit” consists of 10 hour-long episodes releasing throughout 2026, for the remainder of this year and into early 2027. In partnership with the Chestnut Hill Local — as a public service to educate our audience about Philadelphia’s role during this 250th anniversary of our nation — all 10 episodes are being screened for free in locations throughout Northwest Philadelphia and Springfield Township, starting next week. Each event will include a panel discussion with local history experts. The first two showings in the Northwest area are:

• “Episode 5: America” on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Commodore John Barry Arts & Cultural Center (the Irish Center), 6815 Emlen St., in Mt. Airy.

• “Episode 2: Land” on Friday, Oct. 16, from 6-8:30 p.m, at Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting, 20 E. Mermaid Lane, in Chestnut Hill.

The viewing schedule, which is regularly updated, will be previewed in the Local in the coming months, and also can be found here. You also can follow the conversation on chestnuthilllocal.com and the Local’s social media.

We invite you to join us in learning more about Philadelphia’s role in the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Great Migration, the rise of the railroads, the urban unrest of the 20th century, the struggles for civil rights, gay and lesbian rights and women’s rights – and so much more.

See the ad on the back page of today’s newspaper, which includes a QR code to RSVP for each screening, and for additional details on locations and dates. Attend all 10 events in 2026-27 and be entered into a raffle for prizes from local businesses.