September/October 2017 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association

SOCIETYHILL Reporter www.societyhillcivic.org Preservation of Historic Districts

he Society Hill Civic Association (SHCA) by requiring vigilant adherence to zoning and his- T is pleased to host the September General toric preser vation standards. Membership meeting on Thursday, September 14 Historic preservation is, unfortunately, in a free at the Pennsylvania Hospital’s Zubrow Auditorium. fall in Philadelphia. Despite the city’s storied past, Please note that the date was changed from the the “Birthplace of the Nation” is losing historic third Wednesday of the month due to the Jewish buildings at an alarming and accelerating rate. High Holidays. We invite our community to listen Various factors are responsible for this situation. to architectural historian and preservation profes- They include a drastically underfunded Historical sor Aaron Wunsch Commission; an inadequate survey of historic share his thoughts JOIN IN THE FUN! resources; a lack of financial incentives to place about the importance buildings on the local register; and the combined of preserving historic forces of recent rezoning and a 10-year tax abate- districts. Aaron Wun- ment for new construction, which have created sch is a true advocate a “Wild West” environment for development. for preservation in Philadelphia. Remember, everyone is welcome to attend our General Membership Meeting. Simply arrive Neighbors might at Pennsylvania Hospital’s Zubrow Auditorium, remember when located on the first floor inside the main entrance concerned residents at 8th Street near Spruce, before 7 p.m. All SHCA worked hard to have members interested in Society Hill issues are Society Hill become also welcome at our monthly Board Meeting, an official city held earlier that same evening at 5:45 p.m. Bonnie Halda Photos historic district. Thanks to neighbors on American, Delancey and in the Great Court Conference Room. Philip Streets, Society Hill hosts one of Philadel- The designation phia's best Halloween celebrations. Stop by Three has helped guard Master Plan Update Bears Park on October 31 and join in the fun! Visit our community’s threebearspark.org/category/events for more info. This summer we worked on finalizing the historical character MasterPlan for Society Hill, based on feedback from the community about the June presentation THURSDAY MARK YOUR CALENDAR of the plan and the recommendations of the staff September of the Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC). PCPC’s staff liaison to our Master Plan Society Hill Civic Association Meetings Committee has been Ian Litwin, a professional Thursday, September 14, 2017 planner. The final steps are submitting the 14 (Please note the change from the third Wednesday.) Master Plan to the full commission for approval and getting legislation passed in City Council Pennsylvania Hospital, 8th & Spruce Streets that will change zoning and modify the Society 5:45 p.m. Board Meeting Hill overlay where recommended. The full City Council hearing process will be necessary to Pennsylvania Hospital’s Grand Court Room 7:30 – 9 p.m. General Membership Meeting make these changes. Stakeholders such as property owners and neighbors should be Pennsylvania Hospital’s Zubrow Auditorium assured that they will have a chance to testify Speaker: Aaron Wunsch to the council on any proposed legislation. Architectural Historian at Penn Preservation SHCA will keep the community informed Topic: Preservation of Historic Districts as these events progress. p a g e 2 society hill Repoer

NUSA SOCIETYHILL 1st Place parallel Award-Winning Newsletter 2016 & design Reporter 2017 Editor in Chief Press Release Liaison Find our Sandra Rothman c/o Matt DeJulio designs Columnists [email protected] Marilyn Appel, Advertising Manager online. Jane Biberman, Lenore Hardy Al Cavalari, Matt DeJulio, [email protected] Richard De Wyngaert, Submission Deadline BeyondTheLibertyBell.org Mike Harris, Lisa Kelly, November/December Issue Martha Levine, Rosanne October 1 Parallel-Design.com Loesch, Sandra Rothman, SusieMeissner.com Katy Wich Society Hill Civic Association Contributors P. O. Box 63503 215-476-4040 Claire Batten, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Bonnie Halda, Peter J. Obst, Tel. 215-629-1288 Kaitlin Pomerantz, Keri White Website Logos Logos Graphic Design Find past issues in color WebsitesWebsites [email protected] at www.societyhillcivic.org. BannersBanners Newsletters Newsletters The views set forth in the opinion articles are the views The Award-Winning The Award-Winning BooksBooks of the authors and are not necessarily those of SHCA. BrochuresBrochures Society Hill Society Hill Submissions If you have news that would be of interest to Society Hillers, email InvitationsInvitations ! ! Sandra Rothman at [email protected]. Materials must be Reporter Reporter submitted in writing and include the name of a contact person. Edited submissions will be considered for publication if space permits. Letters to the Editor must be signed, with contact information. SHCA Mission Statement The aims and purposes of SHCA are: to promote the improvement of the Society Hill area of Philadelphia, including its cultural, educational and civic activities, and the preservation and restoration of its historic buildings; torepresent the residents of Society Hill in matters affecting the City of Philadel p hia generally and Society Hill in particular; and to interpret the value and significance of Society Hill to the public.

SHCA Board Officers and Directors

President Sissie Lipton, Mary Tracy Rosanne Loesch Southwest: Larry Spector, First Vice President Alison T. Young, Martha Moore Martha Levine Southeast: Jeff Berry, Woody Second Vice President Rosenbach, Doug Stay Kim Williams Continuing Director Treasurer Bob Curley Madeline Miller Condominium Recording Secretary Representatives Kate Robinson Hopkinson House: Directors at Large Concha Alborg Claudia Carabelli, Susan Independence Place: Collins, Amy DeMarco, Jerry Yablin Barbara Gelman, George Penn’s Landing Condos: Kelley, Norm Lieberman, Loretta Burton Camille Orman, Lisa Unger Society Hill Towers: Quadrant Directors Mary Purcell Northeast: Lorna Katz St. James Court: Lawson, Brian Wengenroth, Norm Wisler Robert Kramer The St. James: Northwest: George Dowdall, Priscilla McDougal september/october 2017 p a g e 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

By RoSAnne LoeSCH Back to Business

ugust is usually a time for SHCA to take a with our fellow residents, neighbors and the city A needed break from the steady work of over- to preserve and enhance this most historic of seeing the preservation, safety and beautification Philadelphia neighborhoods. of our neighborhood. This August, however, a Even by European standards, Society Hill is number of board members continued work on quite old. I enjoy telling my French relatives and important projects, like the quality-of-life concerns friends the date my Society Hill house was built, presented by Spruce Harbor Park, the Master because 1792 is impressively early even for French Plan for Society Hill and the agreement with housing. We look forward to your participation at Alterra regarding the 5th Street commercial the General Membership Meetings every other properties, including ACME. Our community month in the year 2017-2018. is very lucky to have such dedicated residents Rosanne Loesch, volunteering their time and, very often, their Mark your calendars for the third Wednesdays SHCA President professional services, to our community. of November, January, March and May. Exceptionally, this month, our kick-off General Although our fiscal year starts at the beginning Membership Meeting is on a Thursday, September of June, I always feel that the year officially com- 14, due to the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana mences at the September General Membership during the third week of September. See you there! meeting, when we come together as a community once again to tackle the work of preserving this Rosanne Loesch beautiful historic district. Many of us returning is an attorney and president of SHCA. She, her husband and two children have lived from vacations far from Philadelphia, including in an historic house on Spruce Street since 2002 myself, feel a renewed commitment to working and, before that, lived for 14 years in the Washington Square West neighborhood. Welcome, Claudia Carabelli

fter 30 years in the suburbs (Abington) In her spare time Claudia likes to be involved A raising two sons, Ron and Claudia Carabelli politically, garden throughout the neighborhood, dipped their toes in the city experience with a volunteer with Tree Tenders, work on various pied-á-terre on Washington Square. Three years fabric art projects, bake, read and spend time ago they relocated full time to the 500 block of with her little grandson. She looks forward Pine Street. Both Ron and Claudia love being becoming more involved with SHCA, where Claudia Carabelli and in the city and have never looked back. she serves as Director at Large. her therapy dog Dexter Claudia’s first career was as a critical-care RN Check Out SHCA’s New Website for 10 years. She then returned to graduate school when the children were young and moved We hope that you’ve found events, donate to one of technology, the site will be on to a 24-year career in school counseling, from time to explore our new SHCA’s many worthwhile updated and maintained, which she just retired. neighborhood website, projects and renew your insuring the community is introduced in the July/ membership. A key feature well informed about current She currently works part-time with Hand2Paw, August Reporter. Go to allows for financial transac- neighborhood issues. a nonprofit that connects at-risk youth with www.societycivic.org to find tions to be made by credit Visit often, and please opportunities and internships in animal-care up-to-date news about our card. We hope to provide send your comments, settings. Additionally, she has two therapy dogs community and the many the community with news suggestions and questions and does a lot of therapy-dog volunteer work services SHCA provides. in a timely fashion. Using to Matt DeJulio at at area hospitals. It’s easier to sign up for the latest web design [email protected].

In This Issue… Page 5 Page 11 Page 16 Page 27 Addressing Safety Issues Safe & Sound in Society Hill Headhouse Farmers’ Market Society Hill Animal Tales Learn about PSA3 Welcome Captain O’Hanlon Nature’s Colorful Bounty Bringing Up Baby Page 7 Page 13 Page 19 Page 30 200th Anniversary Keeping Posted On Our Shelf Nifty Neighbors in The Year of Tadeusz The Justice Bell, Sister to Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi My Own Backyard Kosciuszko the Liberty Bell Meet the Shaffers ´ p a g e 4 society hill Repoer september/october 2017 p a g e 5

ADDRESSING SAFETY ISSUES Police Service Area Town Hall Meetings

olice Service Areas (PSAs) are part of neighbor- Parking permits, including P hood policing, a strategy that focuses on commu- visitor permits for your nity engagement and increasing the quality of life for guests, can easily be pur- all Philadelphians. The area constituting a PSA is chased at the Philadelphia determined by the city’s 21 police districts. Each Parking Authority at 35 N. of these districts is dividedinto either two, three 8th Street, 215-683-9730. or four PSAs. To report parking violations on your Our Police Service Area holds a monthly, block, call 215-683-9773. multi-neighborhood meeting where residents gather with the captain and other officers of the 6th Police Homeless Issues District to learn about recent crime statistics and This summer there have to discuss important safety issues. PSA3, which been groups of young includes Society Hill and Wash West among other homeless people camping neighborhoods, meets at Pennsylvania Hospital out in our neighborhood. Officer Perry Thornton, Officer Joe Ferrero, auditorium on the second Tuesday of each month. Some have dogs that have and Captain John O’Hanlon The next meeting is onSeptember 12 at 6 p.m. bitten people. This is in Thanks to Officer Joe Ferrero, who conducted the addition to the usualproblems at the Shambles. PSA3 meeting on August 8. He introduced our new Officer Joe Ferrero strongly advises us to contact captain, John O’Hanlon, as commander of the 6th Brian Abernathy, first Assistant Deputy Managing Police District. Read more about Captain O’Hanlon Director, about any issues you experience with on Page 11. homeless people. CallBrian at 215-683-4615 The following two issues emerged at our meeting, and let him know your grievances, or email and, as a result, we have some important contact [email protected]. information for you to keep on file. If you see a homeless person residing inappropriately Parking Problems at a location and call 911, an officer will come out to Residents cannot find available on-street parking tell the person to “move on.” They cannot force them due to the huge crowds visiting Spruce Harbor Park, to leave. Officer Joe Harper coordinates homeless which is open until 1 a.m. on weekends. South Street outreach in Center City. Call 215-686-3095, or email visitors are causing the same problem. [email protected]. You an also call the Homeless Outreach Hotline at 215-232-1984. It has been suggested that we change our parking signs to “2 hour parking up to 2 a.m.” instead of the Officer Joe Ferrero is a bike officer, as well as current 10 p.m. or 12 a.m. Parking sign changes a plainclothes officer in a car, and is assigned to must be done on a block-by-block basis and must our district. He provides his cell phone number have the approval of 60 percent of the residents of 215-375-0932 for our use, but cautions that we should each block. Contact Bernadette Williams, representa- always use 911 as the first resource when reporting tive from the Philadelphia Parking Authority. Email an incident or crime. He has been helpful in moving [email protected] for parking information. recent groups camping out in Society Hill. p a g e 6 society hill Repoer

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200TH ANNIVERSARY

By PeteR J. oBSt The Year of Tadeusz Kosciuszko Honoring a Remarkable Fighter for Liberty´ and Freedom he year 2017 marks the 200th anniversary After Tsar Paul I released him from Russian T of the death of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a fighter prison in 1796, Kosciuszko came to the United for the freedom of Poland and an´ active participant States and stayed in´ a house in Philadelphia, in the American War for Independence. Poland at 301 Pine Street. There, a historical marker and its friends abroad are celebrating this year explains: “After serving as a military engineer as the “Year of Tadeusz Kosciuszko” in his honor. during the American Revolution, he later led an uprising in his native Poland. Exiled, the He was born in 1746 near Kosów´ — now Kosava, General resided in this house from November, Belarus — a scion of impoverished, land-owning 1797, to May, 1798.” gentry. He received an education at Poland’s newly founded Cadet Academy and then went He was visited by Thomas Jefferson and made to France on scholarship to continue his new friends among Philadelphia society. In this Tadeusz Kosciuszko, military studies. house, he wrote a famous last will and testament, whose will specified´ When the War for American Independence which specified that his money be used to free that his money be used American slaves and to educate them. to free American slaves began, he volunteered his services to the and to educate them. American cause as a military engineer. Since The house is now a museum, the Thaddeus this expertise was much in demand, Kosciuszko Kosciuszko National Memorial, maintained by was given the task of placing fortifications on ´ the´ National Park Service. It opened in 1976 in the Delaware River near Philadelphia. He was time for the American Bicentennial. A few years instrumental in building Fort Mercer and Fort later in 1979, a statue of Kosciuszko, sent as Billingsport on the New Jersey side of the river. a gift from the Polish people,´ was dedicated Kosciuszko’s work in planning the redoubts on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. at Saratoga,´ New York, was praised by General Kosciuszko died in exile in Switzerland in Horatio Gates as crucial to the American victory. 1817,´ since by terms of his release he was never This battle was a turning point of the war, as it permitted to return to his homeland. Yet, he left showed the world that Americans could fight an enduring legacy of principles: his dedication and win, and it swayed the French to assist to equality and freedom for all individuals under the colonies in their struggle for independence. a fair system of laws. Early on, he addressed the Later, Kosciuszko was given the crucial job of issue of slavery in America and is sometimes fortifying West Point on the Hudson River to called a pioneering abolitionist. His friend Thomas The Kosciuszko House block a British invasion from the north. This Jefferson called him “as pure a son of liberty as at 301 ´Pine Street, pictured in 1967 with site was so well constructed the British never I have ever known.” His mortal remains rest in attempted to storm it. Justly, it acquired the title its discoverer, historian the Cathedral on Wawel Hill in Kraków, alongside Edward Pinkowski. of “American Gibraltar.” The traitorous General Polish kings and other national heroes. Benedict Arnold unsuccessfully attempted to steal the plans for the British. As part of the “Year of Kosciuszko” the Phila - delphia Chapter of the Ko´sciuszko Foundation, At the end of the American War for Independence, working in concert with the´ Museum of the Kosciuszko returned to Poland during times American Revolution and the National Park when´ the country’s borders and sovereignty were Service, is organizing a lecture by Professor threatened by foreign encroachment from Russia, Emeritus Gary Nash entitled “Kosciuszko, Prussia and Austria. In 1794 he led an armed Jefferson, and History’s Forgotten´ Man from insurrection to preserve Poland’s freedom, Stockbridge.” It will take place on Saturday, Sep- accepting his appointment as commander-in-chief tember 23, 6 p.m., at the Museum of the American before a massive crowd in the marketplace of Revolution. Dr. Nash, a respected scholar and Kraków, Poland’s ancient royal capital. writer on the American Revolution, is coauthor of the book Friends of Liberty: Thomas Jefferson, Though the insurrection was eventually The Kosciuszko House Tadeusz Kosciuszko and Agrippa Hull, which he suppressed, Kosciuszko gained the love Memorial´ today. and respect of his´ countrymen because of his will sign for´ his readers at the event. For more principled stand to give equal rights to all classes, information and lecture reservations see: including peasants, Jews and city dwellers. www.thekf.org/kf/chapters/philadelphia/events. p a g e 8 society hill Repoer

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TRASH RECEPTACLE UPDATE

By MARtHA LeVine Big Bellies Go Belly Up

f you are a pedestrian around Center City, you and authorizing an Ican’t miss the terrible, neglected condition of advertising concession the Big Belly trash receptacles. There are two at no cost to the City of types: the solar-powered trash compactor and Philadelphia. The city the recycle unit for bottles and paper. is acquiring 275 new units at no cost to tax These units were installed in our neighborhood payers that will replace in the summer of 2009 with the promise from badly damaged units the Department of Sanitation that they would be in Center City. We will serviced several times a week. The department be refurbishing the also promised that any damage or malfunction remaining 125 units of these units would be addressed promptly. by the end of the year.” Overstuffed, damaged Fast forward to 2017, and many of the Big Bellies and graffiti-tagged Big The new contract will require the firm to clean are begging for help. Some very visible problems Bellies are eyesores. and maintain the units and will have a routine are: overstuffed cans in need of trash collection, inspection schedule to keep them in good condi- broken handles, graffiti on the exterior, malfunc- tion. All of this replacement and refurbishment tioning indicator lights (red lights mean full of will take place beginning this autumn. A portion trash) and strong offensive odor — apparently of the advertising revenue will be used to make they did not have plastic liners in the units. Need improvements intended to extend the longevity we say more? of the entire system. I see these damaged units all over Center City. At Commissioner Williams invitation, several I take photos of problematic ones and forward SHCA board members will meet with him in early them to my contact at the Sanitation Department. September. If you have suggestions or comments This week, after several emails/photos from me, about the Big Bellies that would be helpful, I received an email from Carlton Williams, please contact me at [email protected] Commissioner of Streets. or 215-629-0727. Commissioner Williams stated that, “The Streets Martha Levine department is in the process of executing an , Vice President of SHCA and an agreement that will provide for the acquisition active board member, has created and chaired many of new Big Belly waste and recycling receptacles, projects, such as Block Coordinators, “Fix the Brix,” related to maintenance and software licensing, welcome baskets and the Franklin lights restoration project. She also co-chairs the yearly house tour.

‘FIX THE BRIX’ You, Too, Can Have a Safe Sidewalk

o date, over 200 property owners have par- • First take a “before” photo of your T ticipated in “Fix the Brix,” a subsidy program problem sidewalk and email to me SHCA initiated to help make our neighbor hood at [email protected]. safer. Still, too many brick and concrete sidewalks pose a safety risk. If your front sidewalk fits that • Choose a mason, or arborist, to do the work. category, consider fixing your brix. We can provide a suggested list if needed. Here’s how it works: • After the work is completed to your satisfaction, make a copy of your paid invoice and mail • Participants in the program will receive a subsidy the original to us at: SHCA, PO Box 63503, of 40 percent of the total invoice for the leveling Philadelphia, PA 19147. If possible, include of their sidewalks, brick or cement. Current a copy of your cancelled check. SHCA members receive up to $400; non- Rick the Brick members receive up to $300. • A check will be sent to you within a few weeks. p a g e 10 society hill Repoer september/october 2017 p a g e 11

SAFE AND SOUND IN SOCIETY HILL

BY MARILYN APPEL Welcome to Our New Captain

ohn O’Hanlon, age 54, is one in a long line of 6th District. He has certainly had a wide range of Jpolice officers. It’s definitely in his genes: his experiences and is happy to be our new captain. father (also John), son, brother, nephew, uncle On a more personal note, John is very proud of and cousin serve or have served, too. Sadly, his wife (a nurse), his son (mentioned above), his John’s uncle was killed on the job in 1985. two daughters (one of whom is a nurse, the other Captain O’Hanlon’s career has been quite varied, a dental hygienist) and his three grandchildren. and it makes him uniquely fit for our district. He says that he has no hobbies to speak of, but He started out as a prison guard in 1985. In 1987, is an exercise buff. He considers the 6th District he joined the police and was sent to, of all places, very challenging with an excess of 65,000 people the 6th District, under then Commanding Officer coming into our district to work, a consistently Captain John O’Hanlon Clifford Barcliff. He left in 1991 to go to Highway large number of tourists and many events, both Patrol, and when he passed the Sergeant’s exam, scheduled and unscheduled. he moved on to the 9th District (Center City west Captain O’Hanlon intends to continue the open of Broad). When he became Lieutenant, he moved door policy, which means that if you call and on to the 24th District (which is where his son he’s there, he’ll be happy to speak with you. is assigned). Contact the captain at [email protected] or After a five-year stint as a detective, beginning call 215-686-3060. in 2011, he went to the Employee Assistance Congratulations to Captain John Ryan, who Program (EAP), where he helped officers having has left the 6th District and moved to the trouble with drug, alcohol, psychological or other homicide division. issues to resolve their problems. He passed the Captain’s exam in 2016 and in July of 2017 Marilyn Appel was assigned as Commanding Officer of our has served as chair of our 6th District’s Police Advisory Council since 1980.

IN THE SQUARE W E L C O M E Washington Square Art Installation Diana Kelebay is the new Store Director for On the Threshold (Salvaged Stoops, Philadelphia) our 5th Street ACME. Recently from the hiladelphia-based artist Kaitlin Pomerantz will be installed in Washington Square, where Gladwyne store, she has Phas a thing for abandoned stoops. She is one they will temporarily serve as public art, seating been with the company of 20 artists selected to participate in Monument and a community conversation piece. since 1982. Since Diana Lab, a public art and history project sponsored prides herself on excep- Why Washington Square? One of William Penn’s by Mural Arts, that kicks off this September. tional customer service, five original public squares, it is an integral part she wants to meet the More than 20 installations will be staged in of our own neighborhood of Society Hill, with its community, and hear outdoor public spaces around the city, each a success story of historic preservation alongside your comments and response to the question, “What is an appropriate redevelopment. It’s also close to Jewelers’ Row suggestions. So say monument to the current city of Philadelphia?” at 7th and Sansom Streets, where public outcry hello the next time Pomerantz’s answer? The row house stoop. has erupted over the threatened demolition and you're there! A threshold between private and public space, redevelopment of five historic buildings in the the stoop functions as an area of social interaction, nation’s oldest diamond district. The steps also relaxation and participation. The project invites honor, with their mass and monumentality, the us to consider the vast changes taking place park’s early history as a burial site for the poor, in the landscape of Philadelphia, the city’s Revolutionary War casualties, Yellow Fever architectural and social histories, and what victims and African Americans. is being lost as well as being preserved in There will be an in-progress installation a time of rampant development. preview at the park from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, From September 16 through November 13, an September 12, on the east side of the square. assortment of stoops Pomerantz has collected More info about all of the Monument Lab projects from demolished houses throughout the city can be found at monumentlab.muralarts.org. p a g e 12 society hill Repoer Great Searching For A Good Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Company REASONS TO CALL US FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING, HEATING & COOLING SERVICE 1.REPAIR GUARANTEE If a repair fails during the first year, we will SocietySHCA Hill repair it again for FREE MEMBERlogo here 2. JOB DONE RIGHT We will fix it right the first time Or You Don’t Pay 3. NO SURPRISES GUARANTEE We will give you a price up-front before starting the work. Once we start the job the price will not change, even if it is more work than we anticipated. Winner 4. FAIR PRICE GUARANTEE No need to shop around. Our pricing is 2009-2015 from our Flat Rate Book. If ever in doubt, always ask your contractor to show you their flat rate book to show how they arrived at the price. 5. SECURITY GUARANTEE Our technicians are background checked, drug tested, uniformed and wear company identification Members of Society Hill Civic Association: Take $55. off any plumbing, heating or A/C repair, and $333. off any heating and A/C installation.

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KEEPING POSTED

By AL CAVALARi The Justice Bell, Sister to the Liberty Bell

hen collecting historic postcards, those stories are told are an Wthat capture a specific event are of particular important part of who interest. They are more special than a view card we are. of the same place on any other day. The card In her book Independ- depicted here is an example of how Independence ence Hall in American Hall, an iconic symbol of our founding story, Memory, Charlene serves as a place where other types of memories Mires looks at how may be stored. focusing on the There are likely untold millions of postcards cherished stories of depicting this place, but this one challenges us to national birth don’t remember that, after the famous events of 1776, serve us well if they the quest for liberty was not over for half of the overshadow the stories of those whose liberty A vintage post card population: women. With August being the month was left incomplete. Rather, Mires contends, showing the Justice our constitution eventually was amended to permit Independence Hall can be illuminated as a “place Bell, also known as the women the right to vote, and the event shown on where successive generations have struggled to “Women’s Liberty Bell.” this card having taken place in September, now define the essence of American national identity.” is a timely occasion to look at this card. It took women a long time to complete this On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was struggle. Way back in 1876, Susan B. Anthony ratified, ending state and federal prohibition of had interrupted the 4th of July celebration at women voting. On September 25, Independence Independence Hall by reading the Declaration Square hosted a large celebration where the of Rights of the Women of the United States. guest of honor was not the Liberty Bell, but the The issue was finally decided by a vote to amend Justice Bell shown here — also known as the the U.S. Constitution on August 18, 1920, in the “Don’t forget Women’s Liberty Bell. The idea was that because Tennessee legislature. to be a good boy… women were excluded from the meaning of the The legislative body had been deadlocked. vote for suffrage.” Liberty Bell, they needed a bell of their own. In a moment of high drama, 24-year-old State — Harry Burn’s Mother In 1915, the very year that the Liberty Bell was Representative Harry Burn suddenly changed his on tour out to the West Coast and back, women vote in a role call. That morning he had received “A mother’s took their own replica bell on a 5,000-mile trip a letter, still in his pocket, from his mother, in that visited every county in Pennsylvania. The which she urged him “Don’t forget to be a good advice is always clapper — the bell’s club-like striking device — boy” and to “vote for suffrage.” The next day he safest for her boy was symbolically chained in place, keeping the took the floor and gave reasons for having changed to follow.” bell silent. A flyer that accompanied the bell on his vote. He stated, “I know that a mother’s — Harry Burn this trip read, “The Liberty Bell 1776 rang to advice is always safest for her boy to follow, and ‘Proclaim Liberty’ to create our nation. The my mother wanted me to vote for ratification.” Women’s Liberty Bell will ring to establish justice When the struggle was over, the women who to complete our nation. Help break the chains began it had not lived to see it finished. Those who that hold the bronze clapper silent. Vote ‘Yes’ completed it were not born when it had begun. on the Suffrage Amendment on Election Day Pennsylvania.” The bell did not ring until women Per the terms of Ruschenberger’s will, the Justice got the vote five years later in 1920. Bell now resides in the Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge, where you can see it This card catches that event, showing Catherine close up. Wentworth, who rang the bell for the first time after women got the franchise. She was the niece I’ve been looking for this card for years, of Katharine Wentworth Ruschenberger, who and I finally found one this spring. had conceived of and paid $2,000 for the bell. Al Cavalari The card is also a reminder that, like any family, is a certified member of the Association our national family has memories, and we store of Philadelphia tour Guides and gives tours as a volun- them in our historic sites like Independence Hall. teer for the national Park Service. For a day job he op- What memories we choose to recall and how the erates the Flag Guys, a flag business in upstate new york. Send comments to Al at [email protected]. p a g e 14 society hill Repoer

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SPRUCE STREET HARBOR UPDATE

By MARtHA LeVine Some Solutions to a Problem

ecently, we reported on a community meeting monitor the area from Friday to Sunday, 11 p.m. R held on June 14 with Joe Forkin, president to 3 a.m. One officer sits in his car near the park, of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation while the bike officer patrols the area up to (DRWC), where neighbors aired their grievances 4th Street. Hopefully this will quell the lingerers about the negative impact Spruce Harbor Park who have been partying well into the wee hours has on our neighborhood. The park is located in front of residents’ homes and cut down on at Spruce and Columbus Boulevard and is a vandalism to property. free public venue attracting hundreds of visitors, Parking Lots mostly from outside Center City, every day We need to reduce the number of Spruce Harbor and evening. Park visitors parking in our neighborhood. Some of the issues mentioned were trash and Residents have difficulty finding parking anywhere cleanliness, parking congestion, public urination after coming home at 10 p.m. or later, and are Martha Levine with DRWC and need for police supervision due to excessive frustrated. Some neighbors have suggested President Joe Forkin. late night loud noise and partying in our streets. changing our signs to limit parking to two hours up to 2 a.m., as a deterrent. The good news is that To further understand how the park operates, there are two lots available for visitors to park. we decided to meet with Joe Forkin in order to The bad news is that you cannot see these lots walk the park, get a lay of the land and review from Columbus Boulevard, and the rate is $17 some of these issues, in the hopes that they — exorbitant for many. could be ameliorated to the satisfaction of all. We walked through the southernmost lot and Trash and Cleanliness learned that it is huge, with capacity for 292 Since the June 14 meeting, Joe has instructed the vehicles. This spacious lot is not visible from DRWC cleaning crew to collect trash and make the Boulevard and there is no signage. We asked sure the sidewalks are free of debris Thursday to have large, bold visible signage to show access through Sunday mornings, from Penn’s Landing to the lot from both directions. It might cut down to 4th Street and from Dock to Lombard Streets. on the late night revelry as park visitors return New large trash receptacles have been placed Parking lot sign erected to their cars in Society Hill after 1 a.m. along the south side of Spruce from Columbus on Columbus Boulevard. Boulevard to Front Street. We were told that Summary visitors are not permitted to leave the park We are pleased that Joe Forkin has implemented carrying food or drink. We asked for more trash some of our requests. At least four new conspicu- cans to be set up on the north side of the Spruce ous rest rooms signs have been posted at the Street block and on Columbus Boulevard. park’s central area. Also, one back-to-back parking lot sign has been erected at the traffic signal at Rest Rooms 400 S. Columbus Boulevard. We are requesting We wanted to check additional signs further away from the parking out the location and lot to give drivers time to access the correct lane the number of rest for entry. These issues are worthy of examination rooms to help elimi- and remedy. We thank Joe for his time and efforts nate public urination to help resolve these issues and to have the park on Society Hill side- be a good neighbor for everyone to enjoy. walks. We found that there are two sets of rest rooms, but the locations are set back off the path and not readily visible. We recommended R.CHOBERT PAIA NTING four or five conspicuous signs directing people Residential | Commercial | Interior | Exterior to the rest room locations. This has been implemented (see photo). www.rchobertpainting.coom Creating Beauty Police Monitoring Since 1967 To deal with late night rowdy behavior by visitors Michael Chobert 215-389--7788 leaving the park, DRWC has hired two police Fax 215-755-6655 755-6655 officers, one in a car and one on a bike, to [email protected] 641 Reed Streeteet, PhilaPhila. PPAA 19147 p a g e 16 society hill Repoer

HEADHOUSE FARMERS’ MARKET

By LiSA KeLLy, tHe FooD tRuSt Nature’s Colorful Bounty

he historic Shambles that stands at 2nd successful that it is now open all year on T and Pine Streets was built in 1745 as an Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. To cap off o utdoor market. It is, in fact, one of the oldest an action-packed 25th anniversary year, The surviving buildings of its type in the nation. Food Trust is hosting an end-of-year fundraiser Ten years ago The Food Trust decided to at the Reading Terminal Market on Friday, help return the building to its original purpose. December 1, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. To buy Headhouse Farmers Market is now the Trust’s tickets, which will go on sale starting October 1, largest, with over 40 vendors. It has been so visit www.thefoodtrust.org/25thanniversary.

Dana B. Cohen

The Food Trust , in partnership with Get Healthy Philly, operates more than 25 farmers’ markets in Philadelphia, including the Headhouse Farmers’ Market, Philadelphia’s largest outdoor market the Food trust has been working to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, nutri- tious food and information to make healthy decisions. Albert yee september/october 2017 p a g e 17

HEADHOUSE FARMERS’ MARKET

Lisa Kelly, Market Manager Katy Wich, Program Director Deb Bentzel, Sr. Associate Carly Rapaport-Stein, Longtime Volunteer Carolyn Huckaby

yosef Gold

Melissa Weller

unless otherwise credited, Lisa Kelly photos by of the Food trust. Find these and many more photos of Headhouse Farmers Market on instagram. Albert yee p a g e 18 society hill Repoer

SOCIETY HILL TOWERS THE CONDOMINIUM 200-220 Locust Street

Corner 1 Bedroom with panoramic Benjamin Franklin Bridge, river, and southern views. This highly customized home fea- tures a beautifully renovated open kitchen, light-filled living room with walls of windows, master bedroom with 2 wall closets, modern bath, and hardwood floors throughout. 803 sf | $369,900

2 Bedroom plus Den, 2 and a half bath that is the custom combination of a 2 bedroom and 1 bedroom. The home has floor-to- ceiling windows in all rooms boast- ing incredible views of the Delaware River and Society Hill. There is a magnificently updated kitchen, family room/den, spacious great room with a wet bar, master suite with a large walk-in closet and mar- ble appointed ensuite bathroom. 2,650 sf | $950,000

Beautifully Renovated 2 Bedroom plus Den, SOLD! WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

4 bathroom with jaw-dropping 270degree Ben Franklin Bridge, Delaware River, and Center City skyline views. The home is the combination of three homes, boasting a great room surrounded by walls of windows, double-wide living room, dining room, fully upgraded kitchen with breakfast bar, marble and hardwood floors throughout, and two wet bars. 2,650 sf | $1,275,000

Allan Domb Real Estate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected] september/october 2017 p a g e 19

ON OUR SHELF

By RiCHARD De WynGAeRt Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

his debut novel is what one might call a For the reader, the purpose of Sonny’s presence T “tour de force” if the phrase had not been is predictable, while still managing to be illustra- rendered so inane by overuse. The book begins tive. Perhaps the book could do without jail time, in the late 18th century, ends in the present day drugs and some of those experiences that feel so and in between navigates the ties that have easy to assign to a black family’s journey from irredeemably bound the experience of so many slavery to present day. But, when we as a society black people to the slave trade — both those consistently fail to acknowledge the history that who were enslaved and sent to America and preceded injustices, such as the unparalleled those who remained behind in Africa. incarceration rates of black men, Gyasi would Yaa Gyasi, author of have done us a disservice had she not made The two opening sections Homegoing. the connection abundantly clear. are told, one each, from the perspective of half-sisters, The narrative thread of the characters left behind Effia and Esi. Effia is married in Ghana may feel less like rungs on a ladder, off by her family to a white but the message that the effect of history is om- slaver in West Africa; Esi nipresent still rings loudly. Sonny’s counterpart, is taken from her family in Yaw, the great-great-great grandson of Effia and West Africa by slavers and James, a white British slaver, becomes a history sent to a Southern plantation teacher and teaches his students that history is in America. Their early lives are written by those who hold the power. At the end similar, but what might otherwise of his chapter, his mother tells him, “Evil begets have been small differences in circumstance evil. It grows. It transmutes, so that sometimes force them down two irreconcilable paths — you cannot see that the evil in the world began Congratulations paths that will define the lives of their descendants, as the evil in your own home.” to Head House irretrievably, to the present day. Every single section, nearly every single sentence Books for winning What the book does so remarkably is trace the of Gyasi’s book is deliberate — and if the reader Philadelphia divergent paths of one family tree. Gyasi never occasionally notices her effort, we forgive her Magazine’s says anything so obvious as “we’re all defined by because the book manages to cover so much Best of Philly, what came before us,” but manages to illustrate ground without ever feeling like a summary. the point ever so poignantly. The chapters Independent Gyasi’s characters are widely flawed — they are alternate between Esi and Effia’s descendants Bookstore 2017 heroin addicts, they commit unforgivable crimes, with each new narrator situated chronologically they abandon their families — but Gyasi’s matter- towards the present moment. of-fact storytelling doesn’t encourage judgment. In America, we follow Esi’s descendants as Instead, the slow stacking of shared history adds they navigate plantation life, fugitive slave laws, nuance to her characters, creating an almost sharecropping and Jim Crow laws. We also watch visual effect where the reader can picture the them deal with the jazz clubs of Harlem, the physical weight of each preceding chapter being heroin epidemic and contemporary American passed onto the back of each narrator. high school life. The result is that the social commentary, if not Effia’s descendants remain in Ghana until the groundbreaking, is visceral. Of course we’d like book’s very last section and grapple with the slave to think, as society’s prevailing narrative has it, trade, British colonization, Catholic missionaries that slavery is so far past us as to be irrelevant. and, eventually, college in present-day America. The book reminds us how long the arm of history really is. If it sometimes feels like Gyasi is overburdening her individual characters in order to represent Bring this article to Head House Books and receive the many challenges black people have faced in 20 percent off any hardcover fiction and nonfiction America, the effect of her efforts is not lost. The title in the store, or have Headhouse Books donate it to SHCA on your behalf. evidence of this effort is perhaps most obvious Richard De Wyngaert with Sonny, Esi’s great-great-great grandson, is the owner of Head House who spends time in jail, works for the NAACP Books, Society Hill’s only local, independently owned and is a recovering heroin addict. bookstore, located at 619 South 2nd Street. Bookseller Vivienne Woodward is the writer of this review. p a g e 20 society hill Repoer

The Estate Homes at THE WESTERN UNION BUILDING 4th and Locust 1101 Locust Street

The Shippen-Wistar and Cadwalader Estate Homes 238-240 S. 4th Street SOLD! A chance to live in history! WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

Spectacular 3 bedroom plus den, 3 and a half bathroom residence that soars above Washington SquareWest. The heart of the home is the grand great room with a light-filled living area, large open dining area, and custom kitchen. The space offers a master suite with 2 custom walk-in closets, a home office, and 2 balconies boasting Center City skyline views to the west 2,511 sf |$1,695,000 The Bank Building

Walk the same halls as: • George Washington 421 Chestnut Street • John Adams

• Meriwether Lewis

• Richard Henry Lee • Francis Lightfoot Lee

The Estate Homes at 4th and Locust provide a rare opportunity to create a custom mansion from the combination of two Society Hill residences. The SOLD! property has a tremendous history. One house was

built in 1750 and the other in 1829, and both have WE CAN SELL the potential to be restored to their original YOURS, TOO! grandeur. The estate enjoys a prestigious location, large private gardens and approval for up to four off-street parking spaces. Also available as two individual homes. A unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to custom build

13,673 sf | $4,950,000 a home from raw space to your own specifications and desires in a boutique condominium building across from Independence Hall. The space enjoys excellent natural light from south-facing windows. Residents enjoy the same services as guests of the adjoining Omni Hotel. 1,000 sf | $295,000

Allan Domb Real Estate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected]

september/october 2017 p a g e 21

WELCOME BASKETS

By MARtHA LeVine

hat could be nicer than to move into WSociety Hill and be greeted with a Welcome Basket? That’s SHCA’s program for new, first- time homeowners in the neighborhood — condo owners, too. Each large basket is filled with fresh foods, important neighborhood information and many gift certificates to area restaurants, theaters, shops, services and museums. The baskets are presented in the home by appointment, which takes about one hour. Look at the photos of our most recent recipients Lynn and Chip Brickman Eddie Poletti-Tyson Jeff Boles and Rich Weyler with their bountiful baskets. No wonder these folks are smiling! If you are a new owner, or know of someone who is, and wish to have a basket presented to you, please let us know and we will contact you for an appointment. Contact us at 215-629-0727 or [email protected]. We thank all of our many loyal contributors who contribute food or gift certificates to make these baskets possible. Help us say thank you Jennifer Yalof-Tufenkjian Mary Nguyen and Carol and Chris Hanlon by patronizing their businesses or organizations. and Krikor Tufenkjian Michael Carrabine

2017 SOCIETY HILL WELCOME BASKET CONTRIBUTORS

Coffee Shops Cohen & Co. Hardware, 615 E. Passyunk (off 5th & South Streets) Old City Coffee, 221 Church Street/Reading Terminal Market Evantine Design, 715 Walnut Street Starbucks Coffee Inc., 8th & Walnut Streets Happily Ever After (toys), 1010 Pine Street 9th Street Coffee, 814 S. 9th Street Head House Books, 619 S. 2nd Street Food Stores Paper On Pine (invitations/stationery), 115 S. 13th Street Acme Market, 5th & Pine Streets Paul Morelli, Jewelry, 1118 Walnut Street Restaurants Show of Hands Gallery (crafts), 1006 Pine Street Bistro Romano, 120 Lombard Street SoapBox (Hand-made skin care), 616 S. 6th Street Cavanaugh’s Headhouse, 421 S. 2nd Street Theaters/Entertainment City Tavern, 138 S. 2nd Street Arden Theater, 40 N. 2nd Street Creperie Beau Monde, 624 S. 6th Street 1812 Productions (all comedy theater), 215-592-9560 Fork, 306 Market Street Ghost Tours of Philadelphia, 610-587-8308 Frieda’s Café, 320 Walnut Street Historic Philadelphia Inc., SW corner 6th & Chestnut Streets Garces Group: Amada, 217 Chestnut Street; InterAct Theater Company, at the Drake, 302 S. Hicks Street Rosa Blanca, 707 Chestnut Street and others Lantern Theater Company, 10th & Ludlow Streets (south of Market) Gnocchi, 613 E. Passyunk Avenue (near 5th & South Sts.) National Museum of American Jewish History, 5th & Market Streets High Street on Market, 308 Market Street National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Street Keating’s Rope & Anchor @ The Hilton at Penn’s Landing Next Move Dance at the Prince, 1412 Chestnut Street La Buca Ristorante, 711 Locust Street Pennsylvania Ballet, Academy of Music, Broad & Locust Streets La Fourno, 636 South Street Penn’s Landing Playhouse @ the Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Blvd. Malbec Argentine Steakhouse, 400-402 S. 2nd Street Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, 215-569-8080 Positano Coast Restaurant, 2nd & Walnut Streets Philadelphia History Museum, 15 S. 7th Street Serpico, 604 South Street Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, 2111 Sansom Street Talula’s Daily, café & take out, 208 W. Washington Square Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, 321 S. 4th Street Specialty Foods Philadelphia Theatre Company, Suzanne Roberts Theater, Broad & Pine Sts Homemade Goodies by Roz, 510 S. 5th Street The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Kimmel Center, 215-545-1739 Knead Bagels, 725 Walnut Street The Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble, Old Pine Church, 412 Pine Street Little Bird Bakery, 517 S. 5th Street Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad Street Melange Tea & Spice, 1042 Pine Street Other Services Metropolitan Bakery, 262 S. 19th Street In Good Health, Therapeutic Massage, 232 S. 4th Street South Street Bagels, 613 S. 3rd Street Judy Moon Massage Therapy, Hopkinson House, 604 Washington Square Specialty Shops Liberty Tree & Landscape Management, 215-725-3637 Adornamenti (jewelry), 1106 Pine Street Riff Cleaners, 314 S. 5th Street Worth Collection (women’s fashions), 215-925-8813, [email protected] p a g e 22 society hill Repoer

233 - 241 S. 6th Street

Bright and open 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom perfect for entertaining with its large great room, river and city views to the east and north, brand new hardwood floors throughout the living space, a recently updated kitchen, and private balcony. 1,897 sf | $1,050,000 SOLD WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

Beautifully renovated south-facing 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom featuring a fully renovated kitchen and breakfast bar that opens up into the great room. The private balcony boasts unobstructed 270 degree city views to the east, south and west, and the generously-sized bedroom has a custom walk-in closet. Additional highlights include ample natural light from southern exposures and hardwood floors throughout. 928 sf | $389,900

Recently sold by Allan Domb Real Estate at Independence Place

1605-1606-I 1509D-I 1410E-I 706F-II 1901K-I 1906-II 2106-II 1502L-I 1802L-II 1907H-I 608C-II 1412B-II 301K-I 1206-II 2408-I 2407-II 1906C-I 612G-I 1906-7-I 706F-II Allan Domb Real Estate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected] september/october 2017 p a g e 23

SOUTH STREET HEADHOUSE DISTRICT

By MiKe HARRiS District Hosts Autumn Events

fter a busy summer, the South Street Oktoberfest A Headhouse District (SSHD) is looking Brauhaus Schmitz forward to a lively fall, with numerous events that Saturday, September 16, 12 to 8 p.m. deliver a wide variety of cultural, musical, culinary 700 Block of South Street For the ninth year in a row, South Street will and civic programming. celebrate Oktoberfest, rain or shine, beneath GreenFest Philly, presented by the Clean Air Council a massive tent. With 10 German beers available Sunday, September 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on draught, traditional German food, live oompah Bainbridge Green, 414 Bainbridge Street music, German dancers and more, it is a Since 2006, this popular event has provided a do-not-miss celebration for beer lovers! Mike Harris, SSHD unique opportunity for thousands of visitors to Executive Director learn how to live life a little greener and healthier. Philly AIDS Thrift 12th Anniversary Block Party The festival’s 150-plus vendors, local businesses, Saturday, September 16, 12 to 6 p.m. supporters and sponsors help transform Bainbridge 5th & Bainbridge Streets Green into a festive, fun and educational outdoor Philly AIDS Thrift is celebrating their 12th marketplace. Anniversary with a Block Party and you’re invited! Celebrity dunk tank, moon bounce, food trucks, Dance Party with Sweetbriar Rose dancing in the streets and so much more! Friday, September 15, 6 to 9 p.m. Headhouse Shambles, 2nd and Pine Streets Philadelphia Flea Market The Shambles goes country for an evening! Saturday, September 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come tap your feet and twirl your date to the folksy Headhouse Shambles 2nd and Pine Streets sounds of Sweetbriar Rose. The party will begin Market with antiques and vintage merchandise. at 6 p.m. with Society Hill Dance Academy offering Bainbridge Green Pop-Up Park a free dance lesson. The band will perform from September 22 and 23, 5 to 10 p.m. 7 to 9 p.m. Drinks and light fare will be available Popular monthly event will feature food and drink from Bistro Romano. from Plenty Café.

FRINGEARTS FESTIVAL hiladelphia’s 17-day, citywide celebration of The highlight of the FringeArts Festival for the Pcreativity in contemporary performance will District will be the South Street Fringe-for-All, have a stronghold in and around South Street. September 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Sham- SSHD Executive Director Mike Harris explains, bles. Audiences will enjoy an evening of bits and “FringeArts is a natural fit for South Street; the spurts, as Fringe performers offer previews and creativity and energy of the festival match well prologues of their sundry shows. This evening with South Street’s history as a diverse cultural will offer a unique opportunity for the community center. Last year, we actively pursued the to preview performances and identify the shows opportunity to host FringeArts performances, they wish to see throughout the festival. and we are thrilled to be a part of this signature See below for other local Festival shows. For Philadelphia institution. Our restaurants and bars more information, tickets and full calendar, please are eager to host Fringe patrons, with options visit www.fringearts.com/all-presentations. for every taste and budget.”

FringeArts Festival Calendar of Events (please visit www.southstreet.com for details)

“The Resistible Rise “(miss) Julie,” Monarch Mean Wendy Band of Arturo Ui” by Bertolt Brecht, Svaha Theatre Collective Fleischer Art Memorial L’Etage DBAD Productions Bainbridge Green, 719 Catherine Street 6th and Bainbridge Streets Headhouse Shambles, 414 Bainbridge Street September 6, 7, 15 and 17 September 18 2nd and Pine Streets September 7-13 The Waitstaff Comedy Troupe Looking Ahead: September 7, 10, 14, 17 and 21 Glister L’Etage Bainbridge Green BrunchFest, “Liberty City Radio Theatre” The Tusk, 430 South Street 6th and Bainbridge Streets Sunday, October 22 Headhouse Café, Sept 7, 9, 14 and 15 September 9, 10, 12 to 15, 17, 19, South Street Fall PumpkinFest, 122 Lombard Street Tattooed Mom, 530 South Street 20, 22 and 23 Saturday, October 28 September 8 and 22 September 12 and 17 p a g e 24 society hill Repoer

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FUN AND FUNDRAISING The 5th Annual Hill-Physick House Wine & Beer Party

ark your calendars for Wednesday, October House at 215-925-2251, press 1 (for admin), then M25, 6 to 9 p.m., and tell your friends! Enjoy 5 (for Jorja). Or go online to the PhilaLandmarks a convivial evening, including specially selected website at www.philalandmarks.org/events. wines, craft beer, live jazz and a full buffet of If you have never visited the Hill-Physick House, sumptuous foods at the beautiful historic this is your opportunity to step inside for a good Hill-Physick House and gardens. cause. Last year, upon entering the house, one Over the last few years, our fundraising efforts party attendee said, “ Wow, this is so beautiful had targeted funds to replace the deteriorating that I’d like to live here.” 50-year-old roof. Fortunately, the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, our parent organization, obtained a large grant to pay for the costly roof replacement. Now we can focus our efforts exclusively on raising funds to maintain this beautiful historic museum house, which requires significant funds to preserve it for the future. Tickets are $50 in advance and $60 at the door. If you are under 40, tickets are only $40. For informa- tion and to purchase tickets, call the Hill-Physick

IN MEMORIAM Robert Joseph Gill M.D. We’re sad to inform neighbors that Robert “Bob” Bob was very interested in history — American Joseph Gill died on July 25 at the age of 96 in his history, building histories and especially the home on Spruce Street, across the street from history of his home and office. He was particu- Old Pennsylvania Hospital, where he practiced larly proud that he was the second doctor to live medicine for 50 years. From 1956 to 1999, he in the residence, the first having been Dr. James practiced medicine as a staff physician at the Kitchen, a 19th-century Doctor of Homeopathy. hospital, where he served a term as head of When working in his lovely garden behind the the Department of Hypertension and Vascular house, he would often unearth discarded medicine bottles and jars believed to have Disease while maintaining his private practice Robert Joseph Gill M.D. in Internal Medicine in offices across the street. been from Dr. Kitchen’s medical preparations. His historic house, known as the Evans-Biddle He was husband to the late Thelma and father Kitchen House, was built in the 1790s by merchant of Bruce C., Garth D., Graham B. and Letitia; he Whitten Evans, who kept both an elephant named is also survived by five grandchildren. Contribu- Columbus and a huge tortoise in the back garden, tions may be made in his name to either Christ which local children were permitted to ride. Church “All Saint’s Fund” or Lehigh University.

Samuel Bridges Sadtler We offer our condolences to the family and House. He was a devoted steward of historic friends of Samuel Bridges Sadtler, who passed buildings and a firm believer that they should be away on June 25 at the age of 79 following a preserved and passed on to future generations. lengthy illness. He was married to Laura C. Sadtler (née Cline) An early pioneer in the restoration movement for thirty years. His daughter Sarah and brother of historic homes in Society Hill, Sam remained Stephen also survive him. Donations in Sam’s active until his death, enjoying his organic garden memory may be made to the Greenwich at his farm in Greenwich, New Jersey, and work- Presbyterian Church, 630 Ye Greate Street, ing on the restoration of the Bacon Neck School Greenwich, New Jersey 08323. Samuel Bridges Sadtler p a g e 26 society hill Repoer

Our record speaks for itself. ConwayKathy, Patrick and the Team

conwayteam.com • [email protected] 215-266-1537 • 215-627-6005 september/october 2017 p a g e 27

OUR CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

By JAne BiBeRMAn Bringing Up Baby

icture a sparkling spring morning on my rescued a small white Do you have a pet P small farm in Bucks County, about an hour donkey from Camelot. tale you’d like to tell? north of Society Hill. A handsome white donkey Mick was suffering from Please email it to named Mick Jagger grazes in an emerald-green pneumonia and bronchitis, [email protected], pasture. But something is wrong with the scene; but Louise trailered him to or give us the facts and his companion, Angie, is nowhere in sight. As my barn, where she nursed we’ll write it for you. I was soon to learn, Angie was in her stall nursing him back to health. As she a brand-new baby donkey!! Perhaps two exclama- had hoped, I fell in love with tion points may be permitted because no one, Mick. Sweet and affection- including my vet, knew she was “in foal,” or ate, he is as kind, loving and pregnant. When I rescued her from the kill pen devoted as my dog Trixie, Bowie of Camelot Sales, an auction facility in Cranbury, and just as smart, if not New Jersey, this past January, Angie was half- smarter. He’s potty-trained, literally. starved, all patchy skin and sharp bones protrud- If I leave an empty pot in the pasture, ing from her hips. As the spring grass came in, he’ll neatly fill it with manure. she gained weight, but was still too thin. Then Donkeys are also adventurous. Just the other suddenly, to everyone’s shock, she delivered day, absent-minded companion that I am, I left the most adorable, perfect little creature ever Jane and Mick Mick’s stall door ajar, so he decided to explore born: Bowie. On Mother’s Day! the neighborhood. After I ran up the road Now, four months later, Bowie has tripled in size. shouting, “Mick Jagger,” a friend called me He will continue to nurse until November when to say my rock star was grazing in her backyard, he is weaned, but now he also grazes in the proving that the grass is always greener. pasture alongside Angie and Mick, his stepdad. In Bucks County, donkeys are popular as pets A donkey’s gestation period is usually between as well as equine companions. They’re frequently 11 and 14 months, so Mick is not the proud father used as therapy animals because of their gentle as many think. If anything, he is a little jealous of natures. I hope Bowie will be a therapy donkey, the baby, who gets all the attention from friends, too. In the meantime, I’m enjoying his daily neighbors and passersby that regularly stop by development. It’s thrilling to watch him learn to take pictures and offer carrots. something new and grow into his enormous long It’s true that Bowie is the cutest baby ever born. ears. Now I finally understand why my friends Angie and Bowie And the smartest. And the most precocious. are so obsessed with their grandchildren. He was braying, albeit like a baby lamb, at only After all, I’m a proud grandmother now, too. three weeks old! He had his tiny hooves trimmed So don’t be surprised if you see me walking my at a month old. Today, he walks with me on a dog in Washington Square while shoving photos lead rope — when he’s not nipping the back of Bowie in your face. By the way, are donkeys of my jeans for attention. He comes when allowed in the park? he’s called — sometimes. A friend recently asked me, Why donkeys? Why, indeed. Revolution, War & Faith It all started with my horse, Ziggy Stardust. I fell in love with the nine-year-old bay thoroughbred Explore how our country's independence was influenced in 1994, and he changed my life. Ziggy was living by colonial Presbyterians and how the Revolutionary War shaped today’s church. in Bucks County, so I rented a small house with a Free to the public barn and pasture nearby so I could drive back and forth to my apartment in Society Hill and my job Sunday, November 5 @ 1p.m. in Center City. In this fashion, I was able to work Old Pine Street Church and ride several times a week. Gradually, I began 412 Pine Street spending more and more time in the country. Philadelphia, PA 19106 Ziggy died unexpectedly in February 2016. His Presenter: Dr. William Taylor, University of Alabama sudden death at 31 left me with a broken heart For more information visit www.oldpine.org and an empty barn. That’s when my vet, Louise, p a g e 28 society hill Repoer

SMART RESPONSIVE EXPERIENCED Bari Shor Real Estate MatchMaker

Whether you’re selling or buying a home in amazing Center City, Bari Shor cares and delivers for you. I am your neighbor, let me be your Realtor,® too! Your Neighborhood Resource For Everything Real Estate 215-790-5678 [email protected] 215-546-0550 x 5678 Claudia McGill 215.893.9920 claudiamcgill.realtor

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ABR, ALHS, SRES, ASP

Like many of my clients, Society Hill is my home. I specialize in Center City because I love Philadelphia. Let me find the perfect Pat Donohue townhome or condo for you! REALTOR

1619 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Mobile: 215-990-1902 215.790.5688 [email protected] Office: 215-627-3500 WWW.PHILADELPHIAPROPERTIES.NET email: [email protected] An independently owned and operated member of the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. www.philadelphiatownhouse.com

september/october 2017 p a g e 29

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

By MAtt DeJuLio 2017 Membership Closes in on 2016 Record Year

y early August, 1,121 Society Hill residents Bhad either renewed their SHCA membership or joined for the first time, about on par with last Membership year at this time. With only six more member- Application ships to generate, we are on course to equal or exceed the all-time high of 1,127 reached at the end of last year. Name So far, 114 new members have signed up this fiscal Address Apt. # year, down somewhat from last year. We still have 109 members whose dues are in arrears, slightly City, State, Zip higher than last year at this time. If you have delayed sending in your renewal or wish to join, Home Phone please do so today. If you are not receiving our weekly email newsletter, please go to our newly Work Phone redesigned website to sign up. You may also pay Email your dues conveniently by credit card there. (print clearly)

IMPORTANT: Today, most everyone communicates via email. Please be sure that we We welcome each of the over 3,600 households in our neighborhood to join SHCA. Your civic have your current email address — so that you can receive important updates between publication of our community newsletter. All SHCA emails will be judiciously screened, association helps protect your real estate and rarely will we send emails more than once a week. Nor will we share your email ad- investment by funding many of our improvement dress with anyone else. This convenient, 21st-century system helps save our civic associ- projects, as well as providing subsidies to ation postage costs, while keeping you regularly informed. neighbors who plant trees and fix their sidewalks. Residential Memberships Business Memberships

We help enhance your quality of life when we l $ 50 Basic Household Membership l $ 100 Institutions — advocate on your behalf regarding zoning $ 40 Senior/Student/Single 5+ employees changes, real estate taxes, crime problems and l traffic issues. All of this is accomplished through l $ 100 Federal Friend l $ 60 Institutions — fewer than 5 employees the hard work of our dedicated board of directors, l $ 150 Georgian Grantor committee members, block coordinators and, l $ 300 Jefferson Benefactor most importantly, your membership dues. l $ 500 Washington Benefactor Without member dues, SHCA would cease l $ 1,000 Benjamin Franklin Benefactor to function. Protect your neighborhood and your real estate investment. Sign up today! Additional Contributions Email [email protected] with questions or $______Washington Square Beautification $______Franklin Lights comments which will be shared with our board members representing every quadrant in our $______Sidewalk Cleaning/Graffiti Removal $______Tree Tenders unique, historic neighborhood. $______5th Street Legal Fund $______McCall School

Matt DeJulio Total Enclosed $______is a retired publishing executive. He has served SHCA as its administrator since 2001. l Charge VISA/MasterCard:

EXERCISE & SOCIALIZE Number Exp Date Autumn brings cooler mornings, which makes it an invigor- ating time to walk and talk. We invite you to join one or Signature both of Society Hill’s walking groups. The following topics are of special interest to me. I welcome receipt of email up- The Walkie/Talkies meet at Three Bears Park, Delancey dates on these topics. Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets, on Tuesday and Thurs- day mornings at 8:15 a.m. for a one-hour stroll through our l Clean-Up Day l Washington Square l Zoning & Historic Preservation historic community. Anyone is welcome to participate in this l Franklin Lights l Social Events l 5th Street Development non-stressful, one-hour exercise & socialize program. l Dilworth House l Property Taxes l Local Crime Incidents “Philly Is Walking In The Park!” meets at the fountain in the center of Washington Square, 6th and Locust Streets, l Reporter l Fundraising and Alerts at 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for a half- Please return completed application to: hour, self-paced walk through our historic, beautiful park, Society Hill Civic Association, P.o. Box 63503, Philadelphia, PA 19147 led by neighbor Dr. Lisa Unger. All are invited to join us. p a g e 30 society hill Repoer

NIFTY NEIGHBORS IN MY OWN BACKYARD

By JAne BiBeRMAn Meet Ronn and Ellen

onn and Ellen Shaffer, who In 1988, following Ellen’s heart R live in a charming brick attack and triple bypass surgery, Georgian house on Spruce the Shaffers, concerned about Street, are highly civic-minded medical care, decided to move to and give untiringly to our com- Philadelphia. In 2000, they sold munity. Since moving here in the farmstead to the Pinelands 2000, they’ve been active mem- Preservation Alliance (PPA). bers of the nearby Old Pine PPA proved to be great custodi- It seems Street Presbyterian Church. ans in modifying the home, old like a happy “When we joined, the minister carriage house and Louden barn coincidence asked us what we planned to and installing geothermal that brought contribute to the church family,” heating and cooling, keeping the relates Ronn. “We volunteered property environmentally up-to- the Shaffers to Ronn and Ellen Shaffer our neighbor- to take on the graveyard.” date. The Shaffers are frequently invited to special events and to conduct tours. hood, but it What they’ve contributed over the past 17 years was in the has been enormous, benefiting not only the church, Ronn, born near the mountain-resort town of cards. but the neighborhood, the entire city and far beyond. Eagles Mere in north central Pennsylvania, came Amateur historians, Ronn and Ellen began research- to Philadelphia to study interior spatial design at the ing “who’s who” in Old Pine’s Revolutionary War Philadelphia Museum School of Art, now the Univer- graveyard. “Ellen is adroit at reading 18th-century sity of the Arts. Four years later he met Ellen, who manuscripts,” says Ronn. “Over a period of time, was studying to be a nurse. Married in January 1962 we studied volumes of leather-bound records and and drafted days later into the army, he missed active other documents to discover the graves of 285 duty in Vietnam, although he contributed his skills soldiers, 74sea captains and 8 privateers.” Every in an important and fascinating way: “I was stationed Memorial Day for the past 16 years, Ronn has placed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where I served in the Army a 13-star patriotic flag on each of their graves. Corps of Engineering Training Aids Division. We made huge fiberglass terrain maps of various areas Today, visitors from around the world may take in Vietnam, which were cut into sections, shipped self-guided tours, thanks to the many informational to California and reassembled so instructors could plaques that were researched by Ronn. On week- walk on them to orient troops, seated on bleachers, ends, he often leads visitors through the historic as to where they would be sent.” site, pointing out the resting places of Latimers, Caldwells, Ingersolls and many others. The three- Discharged in 1964 on a Friday, Ronn became man- year-old wooden sculpture of the church’s first ager of exhibit installation for three pavilions at the pastor, the Reverend George Duffield, carved from last World’s Fair in New York the following Monday, the stump of a Norwegian maple tree, is a big draw. launching a 32-year career in the fast-paced world Beginning in 1774, Duffield served as co-chaplain of exhibit design and construction. Ellen joined to the First Continental Congress. him, and they worked side by side for 26 years. It seems like a happy coincidence that brought Two years before Ronn retired from exhibiting, the Shaffers to our neighborhood, but it was in the “I decided to augment retirement by becoming a cards. Where else would history buffs interested in personal property appraiser, taking required courses 18th- and 19th-century architecture and restoration at two universities. Today I assist people who are live? Well, as it happens, Ronn and Ellen have lived downsizing. Senior citizens, in particular, are often in several historic homes, all of which they restored. misguided in how to go about something that can There was the 1865 Victorian house in Poweltown be very emotional. For one client I placed an oil-on- Village, the 1820 Daniel Fortiner House in Haddon- canvas painting at a Connecticut auction that sold field, New Jersey, and the 1753 Bishop Farmstead in ‘to the phone’ in 92 seconds for $876,000.” Burlington County, New Jersey. This last they bought in 1980, placed on the National Historic Register, The Shaffers don’t anticipate moving again. restored and lived in for 22 years — raising two “When the time comes, our final resting place daughters, several dogs and lots of sheep. “We will be in the Memorial Garden of Old Pine Street started out with just Victoria and Albert, having Graveyard,” says Ronn. “We can only hope that no idea sheep were so prolific,” Ronn admits. time is a long way off!” september/october 2017 p a g e 31

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215-514-9884 – Cell [email protected] www.rosemaryfluehr.com – Direct 215-440-8195 530 Walnut Street, Suite 480 215-627-6005 – office Philadelphia, PA 19106 p a g e 32 society hill Repoer

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The Lippincott

227 S. 6th Street SOLD! WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

Custom designed 2 bedroom plus den, 2 bathroom with oversized windows that literally bring Washington Square into the home. The residence features Custom 3 bedroom plus den, high ceilings, exposed ductwork, an open chef’s kitchen and 2 and a half bathroom with a private terrace overlooking lavish master suite. Bathrooms are beautifully appointed in Washington Square. 2,932 sf | $2,250,000 marble. There are hardwood floors and designer finishes throughout. 1,775 sf | $1,495,000 $1,369,000 Allan Domb Real Estate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut Street, Suite 2200, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected]