Over the last several days, many local organizations have posted public statements or messages reflecting on the protests and civil unrest in the city and on the issue of systemic racism, and showing their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We’re posting some of them below. Some of these messages include information on how you can help the local Black community and businesses in the aftermath of the recent events and also educational resources for non-Black individuals and families.

People’s Emergency Center (PEC):

“As we surveyed the damage of the weekend’s unrest in our neighborhoods, we shared a deep sense of sadness for business owners, community residents, and others who have invested so much to ensure access to vibrant commercial corridors to meet the needs of residents. And though it will take time and money, we believe the damage done to businesses can and will be repaired somewhat easily.  Continue Reading

West Philly City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier yesterday joined a dozen others on the City Council in formal apologizing for the 1985 MOVE bombing and called on the city to declare May 13th an annual day of “reflection, observation, and recommitment to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Wednesday, May 13th, marked the 35th anniversary of the city-sanctioned police attack on the MOVE home at 6221 Osage Ave. Police fired thousands of rounds into the building in a siege that culminated in the dropping of two bombs on the building. Eleven MOVE members died, including children and dozens of homes were destroyed in an ensuing fire that consumed dozens of nearby homes.  Continue Reading

A 19-story mural has been created on the side of the University Square senior community building at 3901 Market Street. The author of this masterpiece is Faith XLVII, an internationally-acclaimed street artist from Cape Town, South Africa. The giant 11,000 square foot artwork was created for Mural Arts Philadelphia.

An inscription on the mural reads: “Maneto Philadelphia: Optimism is a Strategy for Making a Better Future.” The Latin word “maneto” is part of Philadelphia’s city seal and means “to remain” or “to endure.”

The dedication ceremony for the new mural will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m.

The mural, entitled The Silent Watcher, was inspired by the cultural, historical, and social aspects of the neighborhood. It features a strong archetypal female figure towering above pedestrians with a contemplative gaze.  Continue Reading

Take a tour of Cliveden led by James Smith!

This summer, Cliveden offers special tours led by James Smith, a free African American man who worked for the Chew family for over fifty years. James will lead visitors throughout the Main House and share stories from the 19th century. At the end of the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to ask James questions.

The first set of tours are scheduled for Saturday, July 27, 2019. The first tour begins at 1 PM; the second tour begins at 3 PM. Each tour is one hour long. Another set of tours will be scheduled in August.

Tickets are $15 and on sale now through Eventbrite and at the door. Due to the intimate nature of the tours, groups will be capped at 15 people. The tours begin at the Carriage House Visitor Center, located at 98 E. Cliveden Street. Visitors should check-in at the Carriage House and afterwards will be led to the Main House by a Cliveden guide. These tours do involve walking and standing through the Main House, which has two floors. Stools are available for those who have difficulty standing for long periods. The tours are not recommended for children 12 years of age and under.

About James Smith

James Smith (c. 1790-1871) was a free African American man who worked for the Chew family from 1819 until his death at in 1871. He worked at Cliveden when it was owned by Benjamin Chew, Jr. (1758-1844) and Benjamin’s youngest daughter Anne Sophia Penn Chew (1805-1892) as coachman and later as a general servant. The Chew family, particularly Anne Sophia and her nephew Samuel Chew III (1832-1887), thought very highly of James and upon his passing, paid for his coffin, burial, and wrote his obituary. James Smith is the second figure in Cliveden’s logo.

About Jahzeer Terrell

Jahzeer Terrell is a Philadelphia Actor, Teaching Artist, VO Artist and Musician. He has been in numerous productions in the Philadelphia area, and serves as a guide here at Cliveden. Jahzeer has also portrayed James Smith in past productions of the dramatic event Liberty to Go to See.

About Cliveden

A site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a proud member of Historic Germantown, Cliveden opened to the public in 1972. Built in 1763-1767, Cliveden was home to seven generations of the Chew family and the men and women who worked for them, was the site of the Battle of Germantown in October 1777, and serves as an example of Philadelphia Georgian architecture. As a house museum, Cliveden focuses on telling the complete history of the property by interpreting the buildings and grounds; giving a voice to the men and women–black, white, enslaved, and indentured–who had contact with the Chews and engages community input through various programs and events. The site is open for tours through the spring, summer and fall and for school and group tours year round.

For more information: www.cliveden.org or 215-848-1777.

Architect Brian Phillips from architecture firm ISA presents proposal to convert church near 46th and Spruce into apartments (Photo by West Philly Local).

Developers presented a plan to the Garden Court Community Association (GCCA) last night that would convert the Good Shepherd Community Church near 46th and Spruce into apartments and add another smaller building on the property.

The proposal, made to a standing-room-only crowd, was met with mixed reviews. Preservationists welcomed the adaptive reuse, while many neighbors near the property at 314-316 S. 46th St. opposed the plan.

“We simply can’t absorb any more high-density housing in this area,” said Eric Santoro.  Continue Reading

Free art-making event led by The Clay Studio’s Claymobile. Children of all ages are invited to join in making clay pendants and participate in a large group clay sculpture project. The clay pendants will air-dry and can be taken home the same day!

Free and open to the public. The event will take place at the historic Hamilton Mansion. Depending on weather, this program may take place just outside the building, or inside. Rain or shine, come make art with the Claymobile!

This program is part of Graffiti & Ornament.: http://woodlandsphila.org/graffiti-ornament