Activity Overview
Founded in 1976 as an added attraction to Philadelphia's bicentennial celebration, the Shoe Museum housed at Temple University's School of Podiatric Medicine showcases 250 pairs of shoes from multiple cultures and eras.
A history of footwear can be traced, highlighting customs from various ethnicities, such as the Chinese practice of foot binding to promote beauty in young girls.
Much of the collection is focused on 19th and 20th-century footwear, but there are pieces that are considerably older, including Chinese platform shoes from the last millennium.
The eclectic collection also contains such pieces as Egyptian burial sandals, iron diving boots, Eskimo boots, Malaysian clogs, and even size 18 shoes from a circus giant.
Things to Do
Compare your foot to the size of a famous athlete such as former Philadelphia 76'ers basketball player, Julius Irving.
Shoe Museum Insider Tips
- Admission is free.
- Appointments must be made prior to visiting the museum.
