January 17, 2018
Over the past few years, we’ve lost a number of historic buildings in West Philadelphia, from churches to old Victorian homes and mansions to new construction. There have been a few meetings in the area in the past year on how residents who care about protecting historic buildings and sites can get involved with the work of such organizations as Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and University City Historical Society.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, residents are invited to learn more about the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Task Force, which was created by Mayor Jim Kenney in May 2017. The meeting will take place at the Enterprise Center (4548 Market St) beginning at 6:30 p.m. Continue Reading
December 15, 2017
On December 15, 1892, the first electric trolley began running on the Catharine and Bainbridge Streets Line, making public transportation a little more affordable for the masses.
SEPTA is marking the anniversary today with a ceremony and a “wrapped” trolley (pictured below) commemorating those early days that will run on the 11, 13, 34 and 36 lines for the next year. Continue Reading
December 11, 2017
Saint Francis de Sales Church is an architectural landmark in West Philadelphia that recently celebrated its 125th anniversary. On Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., the public is invited to a Candlelight Christmas concert, proceeds from which will go towards the ongoing renovation of the church.
The Choir of St. Francis de Sales, under the direction of Isabel Boston, will be presenting a program of Christmas choral music in a candlelit sanctuary, featuring works by Biebl, Holst, Palestrina, and others – along with some of the usual seasonal favorites.
The theme this year is most light, as the concert falls on the feast of St. Lucy–in many northern European countries, she’s associated as the “bearer of light” in the winter darkness. Besides the choir, there will also be a few children from the parish congregation performing several pieces. Entrance is through the front doors at 4625 Springfield Avenue. Continue Reading
June 21, 2017
The Jubilee School, a private K-5 school located at 4211 Chester Avenue, will be hosting a ceremony honoring the site of the MOVE bombing (at the intersection of Osage Avenue and Cobbs Creek Parkway) on Saturday, June 23, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. The event is open to the community and will feature performances from local poets and artists, including scholar Sonia Sanchez.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved earlier this spring the placing of a historical marker. Students of the Jubilee School, who have studied the 1985 bombing of the MOVE headquarters at 6221 Osage Avenue for the past two years, approached the PHMC with a nomination, according to the The Philadelphia Tribune. Continue Reading
May 19, 2017
After being closed for about 18 months for maintenance and renovations, the Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library is set to reopen this weekend. The grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and will include a block party featuring fun learning activities, balloon art, face painting, giveaways, library card sign-ups, food, and more.
One of the area’s largest libraries, which serves the communities of Cobbs Creek, Cedar Park, Walnut Hill, Mill Creek, Dunlap, and West Park, the Blackwell library has been closed since the beginning of 2016, and its patrons were redirected to other neighborhood branches. The maintenance work at the library, which first opened in 1976 and was the second regional library in the city, included a complete replacement of the building’s heating and air-conditioning system and installation of new ceilings and a new electrical system. Continue Reading
January 17, 2017
The Philadelphia Historical Commission voted Friday to designate the west side of the 400 block of S. 42nd Street (420-434 S. 42nd) a historic district, a significant victory for local preservationists who want to protect historic buildings from the rapid development sweeping many of the city’s neighborhoods.
Named the “420 Row,” the cluster of Victorian row homes is the first historic district to be named since 2010, according to the Historical Commission. Designation means that the Historic Commission must approve any demolition or significant changes to the buildings. The designation comes as plans to convert one of the residences, a former fraternity house, into apartments are before the Spruce Hill Community Association zoning committee.
Block captain Justin McDaniel spearheaded the effort. Here is the designation application. Here is a list of other historic districts in the city, which include Parkside in West Philadelphia.
Increased development and a reluctance to grant historic status to large parts of West Philadelphia has prompted preservationists, including many members of local zoning committees, to seek designation on a “block by block” basis. Other designation applications are likely to follow. Continue Reading
Over the past few years, we’ve lost a number of historic buildings in West Philadelphia, from churches to old Victorian homes and mansions to new construction. There have been a few meetings in the area in the past year on how residents who care about protecting historic buildings and sites can get involved with the work of such organizations as Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia and University City Historical Society.
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