Philadelphia is preparing for a decision that could shape how cities safeguard public art for years to come. This week, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will review whether Keith Haring's mural We The Youth should be added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places.
Created in 1987, the mural was painted by Haring with 14 high school students in Point Breeze, a historically Black neighborhood in South Philadelphia. Rather than choosing a busy commercial corridor, Haring placed the work on a residential wall, turning an everyday streetscape into a shared cultural landmark.
The piece has already survived nearly four decades and has been restored twice. It is also the only collaborative mural by Haring still standing in its original location, which adds to its historical and artistic value.
If the commission approves the designation, We The Youth would become the first outdoor mural in Philadelphia to receive this level of protection. Supporters say the move would help preserve a rare public artwork and recognize its role in the city's creative identity.
The wall is co-owned by Neighborhood Gardens Trust and OCF Realty, while the Keith Haring Foundation has backed the proposal, calling it a way to protect a unique cultural icon. The outcome may influence how other cities think about preserving murals as living parts of urban heritage. In the years ahead, this decision could help define a stronger future for public art conservation.
