Historic
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Buckingham Church, Once Part of the Underground Railroad, Plans Needed Restorations
One of Bucks County’ most historically-significant churches is looking to undergo some much-needed restorations to keep it intact. Mount Gilead Community Church, located at 1940 Holicong Road in Buckingham, is one of the most historically significant buildings in Bucks County. Once a major part of the Underground Railroad, it is now kept as an important…
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New York Coalition Files Lawsuit in Final Attempt to Save SS United States From Sinking
Plans have been in place for months to sink the SS United States and make it the world’s largest artificial reef; however, a last-minute attempt is being made to stop it from happening, writes Shamus Clancy for PhillyVoice. Back in March, the New York Coalition to Save the SS United States filed a case in…
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Ivyland Celebrates 100 Years of The Loud Speaker, Its Historic Hometown Publication
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the original Loud Speaker newspaper. It ran for 39 years as a truly local and original Ivyland publication, but its history is still entwined with Ivyland to this day. Ivyland’s 100th anniversary booklet states this about the newspaper: The Loud Speaker, a 24-page monthly publication founded this year…
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Progress Reported on Anthony Wayne Theater Revitalization
Efforts to restore the historic grandeur of the Anthony Wayne Theater in Wayne are on track, thanks to the work of Todd Scott of Radnor and his nonprofit, the Anthony Wayne Theater Organization. The theater has been closed since 2020, but Scott, founder of Platoon Fitness, has had a vision for nearly a decade of bringing…
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Ending the Curse of Billy Penn
Under a long-standing gentleman’s agreement, no building in Philadelphia could rise higher than the hat of William Penn’s statue atop City Hall. But in 1987, after that agreement was violated, Philadelphia’s formerly successful pro sports teams just stopped winning championships. The result: Philly went from four pro teams fighting for championships in 1980 to zero wins after 1986. …
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A New Chapter for the Ivyland ‘Hotel’
The storied past of the Ivyland “hotel” is on the brink of a new chapter, but let’s take a moment to reflect on its history. This iconic structure, which is central to our borough, was originally envisioned as a hotel for visitors to the 1876 American Centennial celebration in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, founder Edwin Lacey’s vision…
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Fate of 125-Year-Old Bryn Mawr Home Hangs in the Balance as Lower Merion Debates Preservation
A 125-year-old Bryn Mawr home with deep ties to women’s and LGBTQ+ history is at risk as Lower Merion Township debates its fate, writes Kyle Bagenstose for Hidden City. The Arts and Crafts-style residence at 17 Elliott Avenue was commissioned in 1900 by Helen Sleeper Pearson, a Baldwin School math teacher, and shared with her…
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Like Ellis Island, Washington Avenue Immigration Station in Philadelphia Once Welcomed Immigrants to the U.S.
While not as famous as Ellis Island, Washington Avenue Immigration Station in Philadelphia used to be a place where immigrants were welcomed into the country, writes Michelle Myers for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The local immigration station opened 19 years before its New York counterpart, but it never achieved the same fame. It operated from 1873…
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Ardmore’s Raab Collection Selling George Washington’s 1777 Letter
The Raab Collection in Ardmore is offering a 1777 letter written by George Washington in Morristown, New Jersey, for $150,000, writes Rob Jennings for Military.com. Despite a recent defeat, the commander of the Continental Army penned an optimistic letter on the possibility of winning the Revolutionary War. Washington wrote that the strong resistance during the…
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Buried History Uncovered in Rosemont—But It’s Going Back Underground
A contractor renovating Ashbridge House in Rosemont recently uncovered a 200-year-old underground cistern while working on the $5 million project, writes Richard Ilgenfritz for Main Line Times & Suburban. The discovery, made beneath a garden patio’s bluestone pavers, prompted immediate consultation with Lower Merion’s historic preservation planner and the township’s Historical Commission. The cistern is…
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New Life for Anthony Wayne Theater in Wayne as Nonprofit Plans
A group of passionate local investors is coming together to save the nearly 100-year-old Anthony Wayne Theater in Wayne, writes Caroline O’Halloran for Savvy Main Line. The theater has been closed since it was shut down during the pandemic in March of 2020. The “Anthony Wayne Theater” (AWT) is a 501©3 nonprofit of local business…
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The Montgomery County Prison in Norristown is a Monument to Architectural History
Norristown is home to the castle-like Montgomery County Prison. Pamela W. Reilly reflects on the historic structure in Pennsylvania Heritage. The prison was built in 1851 and stood as a symbol of historical significance on Airy Street. Prominent Philadelphia architect Napoleon LeBrun designed the Gothic Revival structure. LeBrun is also known for the Schuylkill County…
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Villanova University Now Home to the Original Copy of Martin Luther King, Jr’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech Text
Villanova University is now the permanent steward of Dr. Martin Luther King’s original copy of his “I Have a Dream” speech, writes Jackie Thomas for The Villanovan. University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D made the announcement Aug 27 on the eve of the speech’s 58th anniversary. The document arrived at Villanova University through…
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Philadelphia Played a Significant Role in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Life. Here’s How.
Though he was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, the Philadelphia area played a significant role in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, writes Ashley Adams for The Keystone. After graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Dr. King enrolled at Crozer Theological Seminary in Delaware County, where he graduated first in his class…
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West Chester Native the Oft-Forgotten Architect of the Civil Rights Movement
Although his name is not easily recognized beyond Chester County, West Chester native Bayard Rustin is one of the Black visionaries who have shaped the world we live in, writes Ari Shapiro for NPR. Rustin, the namesake of one of the West Chester Area School District’s three high schools, was one of the most consequential…
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Explore the Former Home of Edgar Allan Poe, a Historic Site Nestled in the Heart of Philadelphia
While born in Boston and most often linked with Massachusetts, Maryland, and Virginia, legendary author Edgar Allan Poe actually lived in Philadelphia for six years, and published some of his most iconic works in the city, writes Leah Gillis for the Islands. Poe also published some of his most famous and iconic works in the…
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West Philly’s Calvary United Methodist Church Gains Historic Status Amid Owner’s Fight to Stop It
Calvary United Methodist Church in West Philadelphia recently received historic protections despite the protestations of the building’s owner, write Zoe Greenberg and Jake Blumgart for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Historic designation restricts an owner from demolishing or significantly altering a building’s exterior. Church leadership opposed the nomination, citing concerns that increased regulation would impose additional financial…
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Drought Threatens Reenactments of Washington’s Crossing of Delaware River
The continuous drought could prevent volunteers from re-enacting George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night 1776, writes JD Mullane for the Bucks County Courier Times. While the two scheduled reenactments at Washington Crossing Historic Park have not been canceled yet, the situation is dicey, according to Cory Shannon, the park’s new manager.…
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