September/October 2004 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association

SOCIETY HILL

Reporter www.societyhillcivic.com Serious Happenings in our Neighborhood

ow that summer is behind us, it’s back-to- Panelists include: work time and back-to-school time. While N Dr. Charlene Mires, an associate professor of many of us have enjoyed our vacations, several history at Villanova University and author of Society Hill neighbors have been busily work- Independence Hall in American Memory. Dr. ing on behalf of the community — because, as Mires will describe the history of Independence everybody knows, “There’s always something!” Hall and Square — including security history; Recently, there have been several “somethings” — the most significant of which is the latest Dr. Rebecca Yamin, a leading archeologist security and screening proposal by the National and senior project manager at John Milner Park Service (NPS), which would dramatically Associates, has done extensive research on affect Independence Square. (Please see page 7 Independence Square for the Park Service; for a summary of the proposal that many lay Bill Chadwick, president of Chadwick Asso- and professional people fear would convert ciates, Inc., a Washington, D.C. risk-consulting our city blocks into a fortress.) firm that performed an independent evaluation A panel of experts will In response to the NPS proposal, a panel of security measures at the park; address security plans of experts has been assembled to address for Independence Hall at Daniel Layden, Esq., an SHCA member, neighbors about the history, archeology, the September General will discuss the 1736 Pennsylvania statute Membership Meeting. security and governance of Independence that established the Square and ordered that it Square. This panel was organized through “remain a public open green and walks forever.” the efforts of the Independence Mall He will talk about the relationship between the Business and Residents Coalition (IMBARC) City of Philadelphia, which owns the land and in collaboration with our civic association. buildings on the site, including Independence The panel will present their findings at SHCA’s Hall, and the NPS, which manages the property September General Membership Meeting, under a 99-year lease signed in 1950. which will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22 at Old Pine Street Church. Moderating the panel will be long-time Society Hill resident and SHCA member Carter Buller, Esq., IMBARC’s chairman. WED. MARK YOUR CALENDAR The park’s superintendent and key NPS September personnel were invited to participate at this Society Hill Civic Association Meetings neighborhood forum, but they declined Wednesday, September 22, 2004 since they expect to conduct their own public meeting on the subject. 22 Old Pine Street Church, Another issue that has raised excitement as 412 Pine Street well as concern in our immediate community is the proposal for a new playground at McCall WED.6:00 p.m. Board Meeting School. We’re pleased to report that Anton July All SHCA members are welcome to attend. Hackett of the Philadelphia School District 7:00 p.m. Meet & Greet Your Neighbors will speak to us. Mr. Hackett is the Director 7:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting of External and Community Affairs, Corporate “What’s Happening in our Neighborhood” – Projects Division. (See more about the McCall Security at Independence Square, School project on pages 3, 9 and 19.) McCall School Playground, Penn’s Landing You will not want to miss this crucial and very All Society Hill residents are timely assembly of neighbors. We are grateful encouraged to participate. to Old Pine Street Church for hosting our meeting, and we hope to see you there! PAGE 2 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

The Green Tree SOCIETY HILL Perpetual Assurance Company Reporter Editors (Sept./Oct. Issue) Business Manager Marilyn Appel and Photographer Carole LeFaivre-Rochester Matthew DeJulio Bernice Hamel Graphic Design Editorial Team Judy Lamirand Andrea Layden [email protected] Lana Noël Deadlines for Next Issue: Sandra Rothman Advertising Catherine Signorello October 1 Columnists Editorial Paul Boni October 14 Keri White Society Hill Civic David Woods Association Contributors P.O. Box 63503 Matt DeJulio Philadelphia, PA 19147 Adam Engler tel: 215-629-1288 Michael Erdos fax: 215-629-9914 Martha Levine email: [email protected] Caroline Piven Stephen Sitarsky Website Dave Stevens www.societyhillcivic.com

Insuring Homes Since 1784 Submissions We want to hear from you. Material must be submitted One of the goals of the in writing and include the Reporter is to print news name of a contact person. of interest to Society Hill Edited material may appear residents, especially hap- if there is space; otherwise penings in and around our upcoming events may be community. To publicize an listed in the Community event in the Reporter, press Calendar. Only signed releases or copy should be Letters to the Editors submitted to the SHCA will be considered for office by email, mail or fax. publication.

CORRECTION Comprehensive Homeowners Insurance An Insurance Expense Becomes an Asset Trash Pick-Up Schedule Annual Savings Begin Immediately Society Hill’s streets, including named streets Entire Deposit Is Fully Refundable and numbered streets up to both sides of S. 6th Street, have trash pick-up on Friday mornings 1.800.468.TREE (8733) before 7 a.m. Therefore, all residents on those blocks must set out their trash after 8 p.m. on 215.925.0609 Thursday nights but no later than 6 a.m. on www.thegreentree.com Friday mornings. The named and numbered streets from S. 7th Street and west have trash pick-up on Thursday mornings prior to 7 a.m. These residents must set out their trash Wednesday nights after 8 p.m. but no later than 6 a.m. on Thursday mornings. JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 3

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Two Timely Issues

utumn is often viewed as a season of Society Hill Civic Association, through A change. This autumn, Society Hill may the McCall School Initiative, has worked with see several changes in our neighborhood. neighborhood parents to increase community Two proposals have many residents of our support for the school. Possibly as a result of community concerned. The first is the plan community involvement, the number of neigh- to improve security at Independence National borhood children enrolled in McCall School Park. The second concerns construction has increased. This past spring, the Philadel- of a playground at McCall School. phia School District decided that McCall School should have a playground, as do many public The National Park Service, in response to and private schools in our city. (For more requirements set forth by the Department about this proposal, see pages 9 and 19.) Tania Rorke of Interior, has proposed numerous plans SHCA President to improve security at Independence Square. As president of SHCA, my responsibility Although the Square is not within the official may be to stay neutral on this issue. However, boundaries of Society Hill, the proposed personally, and as a mother, I am in full support changes will have a dramatic effect on our of McCall School getting a playground. Elemen- neighborhood. We all have chosen to live in tary age children need more than a blacktop at Society Hill for varying reasons. People from recess. The neighborhood children who attend around the country and the world come to visit McCall School should have the same “play Philadelphia, and more specifically, Indepen- opportunities” as those who attend the various dence Square and Society Hill. Philadelphia is private schools in and around our city. I believe the birthplace of our nation, and the buildings that a playground can only enhance the quality and grounds which make up the Independence of life for children who attend the school, as well National Historic Park represent liberty and as for families who live in our neighborhood. freedom. It would be ironic for our visitors to This playground has the potential of becoming find these icons of liberty hidden behind walls. a neighborhood resource. Our much used If there is a security threat, will an eight-foot- and cherished Three Bears Park is primarily high wall and another security building protect geared towards children ages 2-5. The McCall this area from doom and destruction? School playground will be geared for children ages 5-12. At this time, it is my understanding Society Hill is fortunate to have the assistance that plans for the site are to install a play of a group called the Independence Mall structure on a soft play surface. Business and Residents Coalition (IMBARC). Many residents will remember not long ago As many of you know, I live across from when pedestrian and vehicular traffic was not Three Bears Park. I know what it is like to permitted on the 500 block of Chestnut Street. have a playground in my front yard. I can truly It was through the dedication and efforts of this say that the benefits of having the playground coalition that we now have an open Chestnut far outweigh the drawbacks. Street. IMBARC’s mission is to ensure that I have shared with you my personal opinions Independence Mall is permanently accessible regarding two concerns in our neighborhood. to all residents and tourists to our city. (For These issues will be the focus of our upcoming additional information on this issue, see page 7.) General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, Another proposal that concerns many residents September 22, at 7:30 p.m. Please join us at is the construction of a playground at McCall Old Pine Church to share your opinions. If School, the elementary school for Society Hill you are unable to attend, feel free to email and many neighboring communities. The your concerns to me at [email protected].

In this Issue… Page 5 Pages 9 & 19 Page 25 Remembering Playground Proposal Symbol of Preservation: Charles E. Peterson for McCall School The Dilworth House

Page 7 Page 21 Page 34 Security for Notable Neighbor of the Past: Noteworthy Neighbors: Independence Square The Jewish Maternity Hospital Franklin & Lynne Roberts PAGE 4 SOCIETY HILL Reporter JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 5

OBITUARY Remembering Charles E. Peterson, Visionary

ust six days short of his 98th birthday, JCharles (or ‘Charlie’ as he was affectionately called) died on Tuesday, August 17. His impact on Society Hill is incalculable. He came here in the early ’50s, saw the old and beautiful build- ings, moved into and stayed in the 300 block of Spruce Street and became a passionate supporter of preservation. He was a pioneer with a mission who was the first to dub the area “Society Hill” after the Free Society of Traders, William Penn’s real estate group. He was instrumental in encouraging friends to buy property in the area, and the neighborhood grew and flourished. Peterson’s interest in Philadelphia architecture never waned. In 1953 he wrote an extensive article on Carpenter’s Hall, which was published in The American Philosophical Society’s Historic Philadelphia. At 94, he wrote and published The Life and Works of Robert Smith, a book about the man who designed St. Peter’s Church and Carpen- ter’s Hall. Even at 97, he could be found in his office surrounded by books and planning writ- ings on cements and other subjects. Long time friend Professor Roland Paxton of Heriot-Watt University, School of the Built Environment in Edinburgh, Scotland, calls Peterson a “distin- guished American architectural historian and conservationist.” He says that “Peterson has exercised a greater influence on the recording and conservation of the historic built infrastruc- ture of the United States than anyone else and is justly venerated for this achievement.”

A very abbreviated chronology of Charlie’s Commission, park staff began a program of Charles E. Peterson stands on the staircase 98 remarkable years begins with his birth on cataloguing with drawings and photographs August 23, 1906 in Minnesota, where he was of Independence Hall. over 600 structures in Philadelphia, a record Philadelphia Inquirer raised and schooled. In 1929 his architectural for any American city. After 34 years with the photo by J. Kyle Keener career was launched with the National Park Park Service, Peterson retired in 1962. He then Service, where he worked on dozens of federal began his consulting practice, which continued park projects across the country. One of for the remainder of his life. In effect Peterson Peterson’s proudest accomplishments is that worked more years while “retired” than during he initiated, in 1933, the Historic American his “working” career. Few others, in any field, Buildings Survey (HABS) — which documents can claim that unique distinction! with photos and drawings the nation’s more than 25,000 historic buildings and structures. The Society Hill Civic Association has plans This is the largest archive of its type in the to erect a plaque honoring Peterson and also world and one of the few New Deal programs Edmund Bacon for their contributions to the still in existence. revival of the neighborhood. A memorial service will be held on September 18 at 1 p.m. In 1956 Peterson was appointed by Mayor at Christ Church, 20 N. American Street. Dilworth as the first member of the Phila- delphia Historical Commission. Under his We shall miss him; Charles Peterson was one leadership and supported by the Historical of the great “movers and shakers” of our age. PAGE 6 SOCIETY HILL Reporter JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 7

Don’t Fence in Our Freedom! Proposed Security Measures Stir Residents

nless you’ve been on Planet Mars in (Philadelphia Inquirer, August 9) said that the UAugust, you have probably heard about proposal “...would erect a hideously inappro- the latest security scheme for Independence priate toilet/screening combo facility behind National Historical Park. The National Park the old hall. Completing the desecration of Service proposes to build an eight-foot-high Independence Square would be a tall fence per- fence that would cleave Independence Square manently slicing the square in two.” Another in two. This would block access to Indepen- Inquirer editorial by Harris Steinberg, director dence Hall, America’s symbolic birthplace and of the Penn Praxis program at the University the site of the first public reading of the Dec- of Pennsylvania, asks, “Do we want to fence in laration of Independence. Behind this soaring our bedrock values of freedom and liberty?” He fence the Park Service also proposes to install says, “Can’t we put our vaunted technological a 2,500-square-foot “blast-proof” structure for know-how and can-do American pragmatism security and screening purposes, providing to better use? A spindly fence along the front supplementary restroom facilities. This project, of Independence Hall isn’t going to do anything combined with another screening site at the but chip away at our liberties and self-esteem.” new Liberty Bell Center, will cost $7.5 million. IMBARC worked with Laurie Olin of the The latest Citizens, historians, civic groups and preser- highly respected architectural firm, the Olin vation leaders have joined to heap scorn upon Partnership, to keep Chestnut Street open security scheme the Park Service’s newest proposal. Their initial and to develop a feasible alternative for park proposes an plan, in response to 9/11, would have closed security. IMBARC’s plan eliminates the need eight-foot-high the 500 block of Chestnut Street in front of to fence off Independence Square. It proposes fence that Independence Hall to vehicular traffic. That to screen visitors in either the east or west would cleave scheme was the catalyst for the creation of a wings of Independence Hall — wings that are Independence group of activists — the Independence Mall not considered historic. Either or both wings Business and Residents Coalition (IMBARC) could be “bomb-proofed” in the way the new Square in two. — whose challenge stopped the blocking off Liberty Bell Center is. This arrangement would of Chestnut Street, asking how many security be sufficient to screen visitors under most measures can be built before we end up being conditions. Currently IMBARC continues its less free. Needless to say, SHCA is a card-car- efforts to have the Park Service adopt their rying member of IMBARC, and we are repre- less intrusive security and screening strategy. sented by both Carter Buller, its chair, and Independence Park is a part of our neighbor- Robert Lonergan, its secretary. hood, and whatever security measures the According to Carter, there is legitimate National Park Service enforces will affect our concern for arriving at a realistic balance quality of life. Many of us agree that the pro- between access to Independence Square and posed fence is inimical to what the Hall stands appropriate security and screening measures. for — freedom and liberty. Many of us also But the park’s newest proposal has resulted agree that a sensible security system must in an outcry from many quarters. An editorial be put in place.

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Landscaping the McCall School Campus Park or Asphalt Jungle?

meeting held at the McCall Elementary not wish to have an improved outdoor play Vallas said A School on Tuesday night, August 24, area, then the money will go to another city centered on a proposal to replace the existing school for the specific purpose of improving that the play- vacant “asphalt jungle” into a “campus park” that school’s exterior space. So it’s a no-brainer ground design that will function as a school and community — “the status quo is unacceptable.” will consist of playground. Because the current “asphalt jun- Three issues of concern expressed by neigh- only what gle” of open space faces houses on 7th Street bors related to trash, parking, and playground neighbors and the 600 blocks of Spruce and Delancey maintenance. Mr. Vallas said that the resolu- request: “What Streets, all of these and other nearby neighbors tion of these issues would be decided by our were notified of the meeting to discuss the you want is what neighborhood, and that the School District will project and address any concerns related to you’ll get.” comply with our requests. Design was another security and quality-of-life issues. issue. Specifically, people wanted to know what The meeting was well attended by many near- play equipment would be chosen and whether by residents, as well as several SHCA members or not park benches would be included in the and directors. School Principal Paula Bantom- plan. Again, Vallas said that our neighborhood Waters and Ms. Imani Wilson, vice-president will get only what we request — e.g. if we don’t of McCall’s Home & School Association, were want benches because neighbors fear the there to lend support to the project. Also in homeless will sleep on them, then we won’t attendance were Senator Vincent Fumo’s chief have benches. If we don’t want basketball assistant, Carl Engelke, and Brian Abernathy, hoops that could attract teenagers who would a staff member in Councilman Frank DiCicco’s play basketball at night (or worse!), basketball office. The primary speaker for the evening hoops will not be included in the design. If we was none other than Paul G. Vallas, Chief want motion-sensitive lighting for security Executive Officer of the School District of purposes, we will get it. Philadelphia, who spoke about the opportunity Mr. Vallas thanked those individuals who to transform this vacant city-owned space into a have worked so hard to get this renovation useful and enjoyable play lot for neighborhood initiative under way. He suggested the need children. The good news is that the School for a task force consisting of school personnel District will allot approximately $100,000 and neighbors who will speak on behalf of the toward this “campus park project,” and that entire community — so that all issues of con- our immediate community has both the oppor- cern will be addressed. The pace at which the tunity and obligation to become involved in the task force works to create a plan will determine development of the plan. “What you want is when the improvement project will be completed what you’ll get,” Vallas said. — as early as the spring of 2005 if we wish and One person expressed concern that perhaps if we work efficiently. In any case, Vallas the $100,000 allotment could be used for a promised that the project will reflect our more important pedagogical purpose. But Mr. neighborhood’s needs and wishes — and Vallas quickly shot that notion down, because that the transformation of a vacant “asphalt the allotment is designated only for the school’s jungle” into a “campus park” will be up to us. outside recreation area. If our community does We will keep you posted.

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SAFE AND SOUND IN SOCIETY HILL Recent Crimes Solved

WINDOW WASHER SCAM: It appears that a ATTEMPTED BURGLARY: Burglars tried to window washer scam artist has been arrested “jimmy” a door open on a Sunday afternoon in CITY by the police — and he may be the same scam- Lawrence Court, but they were stopped by the SMARTS mer that’s been working Society Hill for a cou- alarm system. Motion detector lights have also Got a front door light? ple of years. We urge anyone who has been a saved homes from being burglarized. If you • Put it on a timer or victim to contact Detective Dave Wiegart at don’t have these safety measures, you might manually turn it on 215-686-3093. It’s important to determine if this want to think about installing them. every night. same man has victimized several homeowners TWO MORE SCAMS TO WATCH OUT FOR: Got a garage? in Society Hill in addition to the crime for The Fire Department is NOT doing a survey, • Keep the door closed which he has been arrested. unless you’re walking as confirmed by the Fire Department. Do not or driving in or out. We know you’re curious, so this is how the let anyone into your house purporting to be a This will discourage alleged scammer was caught: he was detained fireman doing a survey! Licenses and Inspec- burglaries. by police at 3rd and Spruce because he was tions (L&I) is NOT inspecting houses. Do being investigated for stealing a large ladder not let anyone into your house purporting to Got a ladder? • Prevent unwanted from a worksite. A window washer scam victim be from L&I asking about numbers of smoke access to your home! saw the police and identified the man as the same or carbon monoxide detectors, or anything else. You or a contractor person who had come into her home a few days L&I does not send out inspectors without an should never leave a before to “wash the windows.” Our officers were appointment, and they have clearly visible IDs. ladder propped up on the ball and knew about the scam from the against your building. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY: In light of the recent many times it was noted at roll call. Thanks to tragic loss of neighbor Giovanni Petri, we are Got a destination? the police, to SSSH for educating them and to working hard to improve pedestrian safety. • Plan the safest route Captain Korn for following through. to your destination— Speed limit signs and other traffic safety well lit, busy streets. MUGGING: A mugger was caught at 6th and measures are being considered. Avoid vacant lots, Fitzwater Streets. Early one morning in July alleys, construction FRANKLIN LIGHTS: Does your street lamp have a Society Hill resident was assaulted in the sites. If it is safer, a bad bulb? Call Streets Lighting Department, walkway between 5th and Lawrence, just south take the long way 215-686-5610, provide address, and they will home. of the Super Fresh. The assailant had a knife replace the bulb within 24 hours. (which may not have been visible). The victim was punched, her blouse was ripped, and her OLD CELL PHONES: Thanks to everyone who packages and purse were taken. She screamed, donated cell phones. They have been delivered and neighbors immediately called 911. to the DA’s office to be reprogrammed to call only 911. They will be given to senior citizens Police responded within minutes and caught and abused persons. We will continue to collect the mugger at 6th and Fitzwater, where some them. Drop them off at 414 Spruce Street. alert neighbors pinned him down. Six police cars, sirens blaring, had responded by that FLEA MARKET: to be held in October to time, and the mugger was arrested and raise money for the joint Police and Civilian identified by the victim. What happened was Christmas Party for first graders from every Police are trying to not the victim’s fault — she did nothing wrong school in the Sixth Police District. Gifts, food take fingerprints — but it shows that we must all be cautious. and entertainment purchased with proceeds from cars that have will be used to give more than 200 children been broken into. The morals of these stories: concerned neighbors To avoid compromis- a memorable Christmas experience. Call can be instrumental in keeping the area safe; ing potential prints, Marilyn at 215-922-2626 to arrange for pickup be wary of taking these walkways early in the victims should not of donated items or monetary contributions. touch anything while morning or after dark. awaiting the police.

THREE STEPS TO TAKE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS 1. CALL 911 2. Make sure the police officer writes up an incident report. Check by calling Community Relations Officer Brown at 215-686-3063.

3. Email [email protected] so that SSSH can keep its own database. PAGE 12 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

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Happy Birthday, Society Hill Town Watch!

his month, Society Hill Town Watch Society Hill Town Watch celebrated National The revitalized Tcelebrates the first anniversary of its revi- Night Out and had an early birthday party on talization. By all objective measures, the first August 3rd. The weather was perfect, the food Society Hill year has been a hit — during this time, Society was delicious, and the turnout to Three Bears Town Watch Hill Town Watch achieved the following: Park was tremendous! In fact, more than 60 celebrates its residents participated, and 17 signed up to be • More than 90 people joined this group of 1st anniversary SHTW’s newest members. The event concluded neighborhood volunteers. with a candlelit stroll through Society Hill. • 60 members engaged in “community policing” SHTW would like to thank the following estab- by taking part in neighborhood patrols. lishments for their generous donations of food for National Night Out: Chef’s Market, Home- • Two dozen members served as home base made Goodies by Roz, Jeffrey Miller Catering operators during these patrols, communicating Company, Philadelphia Java Company, Super with patrollers via walkie-talkie or cell phone. Fresh and Zeke’s Deli. • Patrollers disrupted several crimes in progress Society Hill Town Watch would also like to and helped alleviate many other hazardous express its appreciation to Jane Cooper and conditions observed while on patrol. Marilyn Appel for their hard work in coordinat- • Patrollers and base operators helped police ing the food for the event; to Martha Levine locate and arrest individuals engaged in and the Society Hill block coordinators for criminal behavior. their distribution of fliers; to Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham for attending • SHTW worked with the police to obtain and for her avid support of community-based updated crime reports. efforts to fight crime; to the Sixth District • SHTW worked with Safe and Sound Society Police for their presence both at the event that Hill to alert residents about ongoing crime night and in our neighborhood every day; and sprees in our neighborhood. to the following individuals who helped bring about a wonderful evening: Diana Anhalt, • New SHTW street signs were erected. Edwin Coyle, Matt DeJulio, Philip Hodgson, • SHTW was recognized by the citywide Tobias Klauder, Laurie Magid, Jeff Riddle, Operation Town Watch and the Philadelphia Jennifer Spiering, and Nancy Zabaga. Police Department as the Town Watch of the Would you like to join the good people at Year in the 6th District. Society Hill Town Watch as partners against • SHTW members provided residents and crime? Please call 267-251-0749 or drop a line police with a growing presence in Society Hill. to [email protected].

Above, left to right, Jane Cooper and Alan Simpson joined Mike Erdos, chair of Society Hill Town Watch and co-chair of SHCA’s Safe and Sound Committee, and many other Town Watch volunteers to celebrate National Night Out. PAGE 14 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

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ZONING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION REPORT

BY PAUL BONI Update on The St. James and York Row

he Civic Association has tried for several On July 30, 2004, Mr. LiPuma, on behalf of SHCA continues Tyears to preserve the historic facades of the Civic Association, filed a 31-page brief with the York Row townhouses (c. 1807), located at the Court of Common Pleas. The brief first to challenge the 700-718 Walnut Street. At various times in the argues that the Board of L&I Review violated developer’s plans mid-1990s, staff members at the Philadelphia the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act when, after the to replace marble Historical Commission have described York hearing, it took this matter under advisement cornices with Row as a “substantial piece of one of the earli- and conducted a vote behind closed doors. fiberglass est rows in the City;” “some of the very finest The brief next argues that it was improper for reproductions. Federal style townhouses in Philadelphia;” the developers to appear and participate in the and “some of the best of what Philadelphia has hearing. Finally, the brief argues that, accord- to offer.” With the approval of the Historical ing to the historic preservation standards that Commission, the developers of the St. James are binding on the Commission, it was unlawful apartment tower were allowed to perform a to allow the marble cornice to be replaced with “façadectomy” (as Inga Saffron would call it) a fiberglass reproduction. The City, and pre- on the townhouses and incorporate the façades sumably the developer, have until the end of into their overall high-rise apartment project. August to respond to our brief. Although the Civic Association has written Meanwhile, on August 10, 2004, the City filed a to the developers and the City over the past motion to quash our appeal. The City’s motion couple of years complaining that the façades seeks to have our entire appeal dismissed on were not being protected sufficiently, the the grounds, the City argues, that the Civic marble cornices collapsed in February 2003 Association does not have the requisite legal and smashed onto the marble steps below. standing (i.e., the right) to appeal the Historical In August 2003 we were dismayed to learn that Commission’s decision. Since the City’s motion the developers had applied to the Historical could end this litigation, the City also requested Commission for permission to replace the a stay on other aspects of the proceedings, cornices with fiberglass reproductions. We such as their obligation to respond to our brief. had a glimmer of hope when the Commission’s It is too soon to tell how this litigation will end Architectural Review Committee (ARC) recom- and what sort of substantive success, if any, we mended a denial of that request. Those hopes might obtain. However, the Board of the Civic were dashed, however, when the members Association is steadfast in pursuing this matter. of the Commission decided not to accept the We feel that the Historical Commission has ARC’s recommendation and, instead, granted made a wholly improper decision to allow a the request for replacing the marble with fiberglass reproduction under these circum- fiberglass reproductions. We appealed stances. We also feel that the review processes the Commission’s decision. (that is, the Board of L&I Review) did not afford us a proper hearing. Win or lose, we Our first stop was the Board of License feel it is important to keep advocating for & Inspection Review. In January 2004 this our rights. We will keep you updated. little-known City Board heard testimony from the Civic Association, the City and from the SHCA’s Zoning & Historic Preservation developers, who showed up unannounced on Committee (ZHP) works with property the day of the hearing with their attorneys and owners in the neighborhood. The ZHP urges an expert witness. After the hearing concluded, owners to present their plans to the ZHP – the Board took the matter under advisement and to nearby neighbors who are invited to and on February 12, 2004 we received a letter the meeting – before seeking approval from from the Board advising us that they had the Historical Commission or the Zoning affirmed the Commission’s decision to allow Board of Adjustment (ZBA). Presentations fiberglass reproductions. We decided to appeal can be arranged by contacting Paul Boni, this decision to the Philadelphia Court of ZHP chair, at [email protected], or Common Pleas and hired our own attorney, Matt DeJulio, SHCA Administrator, at Michael D. LiPuma, Esquire, a local litigator. [email protected] or 215-629-1288. PAGE 16 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

CONGREGATION MIKVEH ISRAEL 44 North Fourth Street Phila., PA 19106 Please join us for a unique experience to worship within the traditional Sephardi Minhag in an atmosphere of warmth and devotion. 5765/2004 ————— Rosh Hashanah Services ————— Wed. Sept. 15 6:30 P.M. Thurs. Sept. 16 8:00A.M. & 6:30 P.M. Fri. Sept. 17 8:00A.M. & 6:30 PM —————— Kippur Services ——————— Fri. Kal Nidre Sept. 24 6:15 P.M. Sat. Yom Kippur Sept. 25 8:00 A.M. All Day Students Are Welcome Rabbi Albert E. Gabbai Leon L. Levy, Parnas, President For information, please call the office at 215-922-5446

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Leil Rosh Hashanah * 7:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Rosh Hashanah I* 9:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Rosh Hashanah II 9:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Kol Nidre* 6:15 p.m. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Yom Kippur* 9:30 a.m.-6:45 p.m. 3rd Yizkor Service approx. 4:45 p.m. Shofar 7:30 p.m.

*Restricted Seating, Members only www.societyhillsynagogue.org 215-922-6590 JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 17

A Busy Fall Season Music and Ritual at Houses of Worship

Society Hill is home to some of the city’s most Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church historic houses of worship. As autumn gets under- With the variety of churches and synagogues in way, we thought it a good idea to let you know what Society Hill, Old Pine Street Church felt it important our churches and synagogues are planning for the to hold interfaith group discussions. The sessions, coming season. which began on Wednesday, September 8th with a discussion of Judaism, are intended to promote dialog Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church among people of various religions and provide a basic A warm welcome to Father Dominic Chiaravalle understanding of the religious beliefs of our interna- (pronounced Key-ara-vall-a) at Old St. Mary’s. tional friends, co-workers, and Society Hill neighbors. Born and raised near the old Connie Mack (See calendar on page 36 for the schedule.) Stadium, Father knows Philadelphia well. He was ordained in 1965 and has spent his entire Old Pine will have a Film Series in October. All films career in Philadelphia parishes, also working start at 7 p.m. in the Community Center, with discus- part-time at Philadelphia hospitals and prisons. sion following. Refreshments will be served, but it is As a frequent tour guide for friends and family, BYOP— bring your own popcorn! (See the film he knows the neighborhood well, but he never schedule in the calendar on page 36.) On September 21 thought he would end up serving here. Father at 7 p.m. Old Pine is showing the film “Bonhoeffer.” Chiaravalle loves opera and classical music and Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran Theologian in enjoys having them as part of the service. He Germany’s Third Reich. He was one of the first has a passion for beautiful services and liturgies pastors to speak out against Hitler, and admonished that inspire people to grow. He is excited about Christians to stand in solidarity with Jews. Discovered this opportunity to know his parishioners and for joining a plot to kill Hitler, he spent two years in all those who visit Society Hill and St. Mary’s. a concentration camp and was hanged in April 1945. St. Peter’s Episcopal Church On the third Sunday of every month at 5 p.m. strains With great excitement and anticipation we of Jazz Vespers fill Old Pine Street Church. (See page welcome Peter Hopkins as St. Peter’s new 36 for the performance schedule on September 19 Director of Music Ministry and Choirmaster, and October 17.) Also in October, the church will have and his wife, Paula Pugh Romanaux, as a Fundraising Gala in the Church Yard and a Family Artist-in-Residence and Principal Organist. Halloween event, but details are not yet in place. Please contact the church at 215-925-8051, or the Community Peter is an international-level conductor, Center for further information on any of these events. most recently serving as Minister of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Old St. Joseph’s Rapids, Michigan and Director of the Grand The nomination of Old St. Joseph’s for historical status Rapids Symphony Chorus. Paula served as goes before the National Park Service Advisory Board Organist and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Landmarks Committee on Sept 21-23, in Washington Music in Michigan at Kalamazoo College and D.C. We should know if the nomination is approved by as Director of Music at St. Mark’s, Grand Rapids the time the November/December Reporter is assem- and St. Luke’s, Kalamazoo. bled. The listing is on the website at www.cr.nps.gov/ nhl; go to news and then listings — page 2 under PA. Peter and Paula make an exciting, committed team. They combine passion for their art with a Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church strong grounding in administrative and manage- On July 12, a day of retreat was held at the Downtown ment skills. Employing the tradition of the Royal Club to which local historians, museum directors, School of Church Music, both have built success- architects, church leaders and other interested parties ful children’s choral programs, and view their were invited. The goal was to examine the proposed roles as teachers and mentors who will nurture Richard and Sarah Allen Archives Center from a the musical gifts of children to help them grow variety of perspectives, particularly focusing on the in their faith. They have a daughter who will Center’s goals and the means to obtain the funds to be entering second grade in September. build and endow it. The Center will be built on the See article on page 27 about The Food Cupboard. corner of Sixth and Lombard Streets, next to the historic church which now houses — in addition Local Synagogues to its magnificent sanctuary — a museum of local Look for the High Holiday schedule for local African-American history, the cornerstone of synagogues on page 16. which are the tombs of Richard and Sarah Allen. PAGE 18 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

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McCall School Plans New Recreation Area Kid’s Quote

new, community-inspired recreation area like improved landscaping and well-managed “I don’t want to A is proposed for the McCall School, which I recreation amenities, can help as well. Just as go to Pietro’s; hope will feature the latest and greatest in slides Three Bears Park works for all families with let’s go to Jones!” and climbing equipment atop a safe rubber sur- younger children, a quality playground at McCall could continue to serve Society Hill face. (Please see related articles on pages 3 and Annabel, age 2 9.) Unlike Three Bears Park, which is designed families as their children grow.” for toddlers to four-year-olds, this structure will The School District’s team is working to ensure serve the needs of kids aged 5 to 12. Careful that the play space is a positive addition to the attention is being paid to color and design that community. In July, they sent a letter inviting will make it respectful of our historic neighbor- the immediate neighbors of McCall to voice hood. The plan avoids coverings, wide platforms, suggestions and then hosted a Q&A in August tunnel slides, and other items that can attract to present the proposed design. They have been loiterers or vagrants. in close communication with SHCA’s Zoning & Paul Vallas, CEO of the School District of Historic Preservation Committee to insure Philadelphia, visited McCall in the spring, compliance with all procedures and guidelines. and the schoolyard’s lack of play apparatus Fortunately, R10 classification confirms this disturbed him. He immediately put the school area as a “play and recreation space.” The team on “Campus Park Initiative” list, a program has also sought advice from Safe & Sound that constructs school recreation areas which Society Hill and the Town Watch to maximize are then available to neighborhood kids after security in and around the recreation area, and hours. Paul Levy, Executive Director of Center to ask Town Watch to add the area to their City District and new resident of Society Hill, patrol. Captain Brian Korn of the 6th District expressed his support for the project: “Quality has been alerted to the project. Every effort will public schools are key to the long-term vitality be made to maintain a safe, secure play envi- of Center City neighborhoods. Simple things, ronment for the school and our neighborhood.

Fall Festivities Planned for Three Bears Park

The Three Bears Park Annual Fall Festival To volunteer for the Fall Festival, donate items Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 2, or assist in the coordination of the Halloween from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for the Three Bears festivities, please contact Tania Rorke at Park Annual Fall Festival. (Rain date is Sunday, 215-925-4544 or [email protected]. October 3.) There will be all kinds of fun activi- Planter Entered in Garden Contest ties for the kids, plus various sales, such as a food and bake sale, a gently used toy sale, and With the help of the Philadelphia a silent auction. A new feature for this year’s Horticultural Society Parks Revitalization event will be the sale of handmade craft items. Program and friends from the neighborhood, Many of our neighborhood moms are quite we have replanted the round planter in the talented and have donated goodies to be sold at park. The Horticultural Society, deciding that the Festival. If you have a talent and would like we had done such a wonderful job, entered it to donate an item to sell that will benefit the into the City Parks Small Garden Contest. park, we will happily accept it. We will hear soon how we compare with other city gardens. Halloween Parade and Costume Contest Bring the kids to Three This year, Halloween falls on a Sunday! Unfortunately, children have been seen tram- Bears Park on Saturday, Bring your children to Three Bears Park at pling through the plants. Mothers and other October 2, from 10 a.m. 4 p.m. for a Parade and Costume Contest. caretakers, we ask you to keep your children to 3 p.m. for the Fall Prizes will be given for the best costumes. from running through the greenery on the Festival. Come again on Sunday, October 31 Our annual Halloween Festivities will follow, round planter. Have them walk along the at 4 p.m. for a Halloween with pizza and apple juice for children. designated path of paw prints — because Parade and Halloween A great time is always had by all! we have had to replace several ruined plants. Costume Contest. PAGE 20 SOCIETY HILL Reporter Jazz Vespers at Old Pine Church . No Rats, Just a Friendly Possum here was some panic for a while with Sunday, September 19, 5:00pm Trumors of a giant rat in Lawrence Court, Barbara Montgomery Quartet but a note to Matt DeJulio from J. Pattison Rev. Mindy Huffstetler, preaching says that the “super-sized vermin is a Virginia Opossum, better known as just a Sunday, October 17, 5:00pm plain old Possum. I have seen him (or her) Mary Ellen Desmond Quartet on Lawrence Court several times and the Rev. Osvaldo Nuesch, preaching animal does all the possum-like things: it waddles, it can’t really run fast, and it sticks it’s nose to the ground as it tries to scurry 412 Pine Street • 215-925-8051 • www.oldpine.org into the bushes to hide….It isn’t a health problem, and because it is a nocturnal itinerant, it will probably move on.” Glad to know it wasn’t a rat playing possum!

Independence Branch Library

he Friends of Independence Library Twelcomes Meryl Levitz, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, to speak at its fall general membership meeting on Monday, September 20. Meryl will share exciting news about “Philly’s More Fun When You Sleep Over,” the plans for the 2005 tricenten- nial celebration of Ben Franklin’s birth, and its new marketing campaign aimed at gay and lesbian travelers. Then learn about a storytelling program to be launched in Philadelphia and plans for an academy to train people in the art of storytelling. The program begins at 6 p.m. with a brief business meeting. Ms. Levitz’s talk begins at 6:15. The location is 18 S. 7th Street.

Starr Garden Clean-Up

ast spring Starr Garden held its first L annual “Spring Into Your Park” clean-up day. Turnout was high — approximately 40 people — drains were cleaned, branches Every Weekend Memorial Day pruned, trash collected and graffiti removed. Thru October 24th Pannula Construction Company is now repairing the sprinkler drain and leveling Historic Headhouse Square the area to prevent water from pooling. 2nd & Pine Street Repairs should be completed by mid- Philadelphia October! Nicole Kilcullen, President, and Eileen Saturday 12 noon - 11 pm Measley, Vice President of the Starr Sunday 12 noon - 6 pm Garden Association will serve in these positions until elections can be held in 215-790-0782 February. At present, there are openings www.geocities.com/ccartsfair for Treasurer and Secretary. Any interested and willing parties, please contact Nicole at [email protected]. JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 21

NOTABLE NEIGHBOR OF THE PAST

A COLUMN BY CAROLE LE FAIVRE-ROCHESTER An Institution for Mothers and Babies Opens on Spruce Street

ewcomers to Society Hill may wonder Supporters formed the Jewish Maternity Asso- “With thanks to Nabout the sturdy apartment house near ciation, and subscribers paid 25 cents a month 6th and Spruce with the words “Rebecca to belong to this benevolent association. As the the Almighty… Gratz Club” etched in stone above the door. Home expanded, it added a nurses’ training every mother Old-timers know that the Club housed young school in 1894. Nearly 40 women with names in the Obstetric women for a good part of the 20th century. such as Leary, Pankhurst, Campbell, and Blum Wards was re- Many more know that the Club was named graduated in the first eight years. Some of turned in health after a member of one of the most famous these young women had been sent from St. to her family.” Jewish families in early 19th-century Joseph’s and St. Timothy’s Hospitals for obstet- Philadelphia. I want to focus, however, on rical nursing classes. In 1902 directors of the the period after the Civil War when one of Home voted to change the name to the Jewish the largest immigrant groups moving into Maternity Hospital in keeping with its growing the area were Jews, most of them from Russia. reputation as a medical institution. Other ser- One need only remember the end of “Fiddler vices had been added as needs arose: care for on the Roof” to understand motherless infants what drove them here — (under age one) and pogroms. By the end of the a seaside house in 19th century a good portion Atlantic City for of Philadelphia’s Jewish invalid women population resided in the and children. area bounded by 2nd and Records for 1901, 7th and Christian and housed at the Lombard Streets. By 1899, Philadelphia Jewish the northern boundary had Archives Center*, moved to Spruce Street. exemplify the Jewish Many of these immigrant Maternity Hospital’s families lived in deplorable accomplishments: 101 conditions, with 20 to 25 infants were born that people to a house and with year, 800 were treated one privy for a block of ten- in the clinic, 1,796 ements. Numerous syna- Nurse and child at the Jewish Maternity days of support were Hospital, c. 1899. Courtesy of the given to mothers and gogues had sprung up to care Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center. for their spiritual needs, but 1,414 to infants. The there was an urgent need to provide maternity Hospital’s annual report noted that “with thanks and pediatric care for indigent Jewish women. to the Almighty…every mother in the Obstetric In 1873 a group of women led by Ester Amram Wards was returned in health to her family — from the Anshe Emeth Synagogue — found- despite the many serious conditions encoun- ed the Ezrath Nashim (Help of Women) for tered.” In addition, that year the Hospital Jewish immigrants. For almost two decades initiated a department for children’s diseases they cared for young mothers and infants by with special staff trained to care for them. visiting their homes with volunteer doctors and By 1928, the Jewish Maternity Hospital and nurses. As the population grew, the need for especially its teaching facility had outgrown permanent quarters with professional staff its quarters. Becoming more recognized for its became clear. quality obstetric care, it merged with Mt. Sinai In 1891, the group purchased a property at Hospital in South Philadelphia. The Rebecca 532 Spruce Street (later extended to 534). Gratz Club became the new owner, erected a Thus, the Jewish Maternity Home became a new building and served women in the area reality. Ester Amram, assisted by a group of until the latter part of the 20th century. prominent Philadelphia Jews, served as presi- *The Philadelphia Jewish Archives Center is located dent of the Ezrath Nashim for 22 years. within the historic neighborhood at 18 S. 7th Street. PAGE 22 SOCIETY HILL Reporter JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 23

A Neighbor’s First-Hand Account, by Keri White Have A Complaint? Call the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs

s there any more universal experience for the all parties involved (the design group, the con- The Mayor’s Ihomeowner than the incompetent, unreliable, tractors, us, and the respective lawyers) to set Office of absent, dishonest contractor? Everyone has at up a meeting, with the intention of helping us least one horror story, and most of us have to reach a settlement. The meeting took place Consumer several. Sadly, this is often the reality; happily, in my unfinished kitchen — Pat’s suggestion Affairs offers Philadelphians now have relief and recourse. and a stroke of genius — which made it very relief and The Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs was difficult to claim things had been completed recourse for created last fall to protect citizens from con- satisfactorily when we were sitting in a con- consumer’s sumer fraud and mistreatment large and small. struction zone. During the evening, we had complaints. Lance Haver and Patricia McNamara run this serious doubts that we could reach an agree- program, and I have first hand experience with ment, but Pat kept at it, telling us that she had their efficiency and effectiveness. rarely failed to reach an agreement when she assembled all interested parties. After two hours, After several years of resistance, we embarked we managed a compromise. While compensa- on a kitchen renovation. We hired a well-known, tion was less than we felt we deserved, it was highly regarded local design group who hand- more than the other side felt they should pay. picked a contractor with whom they had suc- cessfully worked in the past. We then selected The Office of Consumer Affairs uses a variety our new kitchen cabinets and equipment, of tactics including litigation, moving to revoke handed over a substantial amount of money, operating licenses, delegation meetings (such and the work began July 2003. We won’t bore as the one described above), and oversight of you with the predictable saga, but suffice it to payment and reimbursement plans. In addition say that two lawsuits, three contractors, and to these responsibilities, they research con- nine months later, we finally had a new sumer protection laws in and out of Pennsyl- kitchen. In the midst of the nightmare, a vania in a quest for the most effective and suc- member of the Reporter staff brought to my cessful policies. They maintain ceaseless vigi- attention the Mayor’s Office of Consumer lance for potential consumer fraud and abuse. Affairs and suggested that they might help Based on our experience, we recommend con- me get out of kitchen hell. tacting them if you are faced with any of a vari- We contacted them immediately, and they ety of complaints, such as those who have been were helpful, sympathetic, and willing to wronged by building contractors, car salesmen, intervene on my behalf. Pat McNamara sent mechanics, roofers, etc. To contact the Office me some forms to fill out detailing the mis- of Consumer Affairs, call 215-686-7598, visit handling of our project, and requested copies mayorsoffi[email protected], of receipts and contracts. She then contacted or email [email protected]

Arms & All e g Lisa Pytlewski stomach hiFitness Trainer / Consultant ip B.S. Exercise Physiology gs h (610) 308-2023 s [email protected] PAGE 24 SOCIETY HILL Reporter JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 25

Keeping an Eye on our Neighborhood Treasures Dilworth House – A Significant Preservation Icon

f you’ve ever walked along the edge Iof Washington Square on S. 6th Street, you have surely passed the Dilworth House. It sits inconspicuously between the Athenaeum and the Lippincott Building. While this is not a particularly old house relative to many of Society Hill’s 18th-century homes — it was built in the mid-20th century — it has historic significance as a leading edge in the resurrection of Society Hill, which had, at the time, been a rundown neighborhood teetering on the brink of decay. The house also has significant value as part of the cultural, political and historical heritage of Society Hill and, by extension, the rebirth of Center City as a residential area. The house is associated with one of the most significant leaders of Philadelphia. The Dilworth House was the first privately built residence in this part of the city prior to Society Hill’s rebirth. Building this house on Washington Square was The Dilworth House a show of commitment from one of the was a catalyst in the rebirth of Society Hill. preeminent forces in City politics. The owner was the mayor of Philadelphia from 1956-1962, Richardson Dilworth, a leader in the reform movement. He felt strongly that Society Hill was a place Happy Anniversary to these Historic 200-Year-Old worth saving and had faith in the poten- Society Hill Properties — Here’s to 200 More! tial of revitalizing the neighborhood so that it would attract more prosperous 229 Pine 608 Spruce 618 Spruce (i.e. middle-class) citizens. Dilworth built for Rebecca built by Alexander built for Joseph Ingles, commissioned the well-known architect Leaming, widow Thompson, House Accountant, by Samuel and Ship Painter White, Carpenter George E. Brumbaugh to design his 527 Pine residence. Brumbaugh served on the built for Isaac Watson, 610 Spruce 620-622 Spruce Independence Architectural Advisory Merchant built by Dillaplain built by George Krebs, Committee for restoration of Indepen- Ridgeway, Bricklayer, and Brickmaker dence Hall and was also responsible for 507 Spruce Daniel Knight, Carpenter built by William McDonough, 226 S. 4th designing, in 1966-67, the Presbyterian House Builder 612 Spruce built by Edward Bonsall Historical Society on Lombard Street. built by George Summers, and William Shoemaker 600-602 Spruce House Carpenter Dilworth’s commitment to move to this built by Edward Bonsall, 418 S. 7th Street corner of the city has great symbolic House Carpenter 614 Spruce built for John H. Brinton, significance for us all, as his fine newly built for Catherine Howell Attorney, by Jasper Carter, constructed home served as a catalyst to 604 Spruce by James Pancoast, Painter and Glazier built by Michael Fox, Lumber Merchant other pioneers, so that a grassroots effort Source: Historical Brickmaker to rebuild the area was accomplished Commission building 616 Spruce inventory, 1804 listings with the full support of City Hall. 606 Spruce built for Reverend built by Thomas Bradley Robert Blackwell, D.D., Let’s keep an eye out for the Dilworth and Jacob Keigher, by Joseph Barger, House — to assure that it will stand Coppersmiths Lumber Merchant in perpetuity. PAGE 26 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

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The National Italian Memorial of Greater Philadelphia New Memorial Will Honor Italian Achievements

rom the earliest days of settlement in the grants and later a swimming pool and gather- A “Night of F New World through the great waves of ing place for Italian-American families. immigration beginning in the late 1800s and Italian Song” Viking Sculpture & Design, owned and operated continuing to today, millions of Italians have on Monday, by two accomplished Philadelphia sculptors, made the journey from their native land to October 25th, Christopher Buonomo and Michael Gaudioso, the United States to start a new life. has been chosen to create the monument. will help raise Italian contributions to America and to the An internationally renowned architect, Rocco funds for the City of Brotherly Love are immeasurable. Leonardis, has been selected as the project’s new memorial For example, the belief that all men are created consulting architect. When completed, the equal, written in Philadelphia by Thomas memorial will be the site for open air concerts Jefferson, was first published by Jefferson’s and receptions — a welcome addition to dear friend Filippo Mazzei. The vestibules of Philadelphia’s cultural scene that will likely both City Hall and the Wanamaker building become a popular tourist destination. were adorned with the mosaic tile art of Raffael Volunteers, supporters and donors are needed Carfagno. Beyond the noble, Italian Americans to make the National Italian Memorial of have contributed some of Philly’s most endear- Greater Philadelphia a reality. Please consider ing symbols — including, of course, hoagies attending a “Night of Italian Song” on Monday, Detail of planned and cheesesteaks! October 25th, which will help raise funds for Italian Memorial. The National Italian Memorial of Greater this effort. A wine and Philadelphia, conceived by Vernon Anastasio, cheese reception will president of Bella Vista United Civic Associa- be held from 6 to 7 p.m., tion, is a monumental project that will acknowl- prior to the concert, which edge the heritage and achievements of Italian will take place at the First Americans. It will be a relief sculpture, located Unitarian Church at 2125 just steps from the Italian Market. The site is Chestnut Street. For more the Fante Leone Pool, left to ruin for nearly a information, please contact decade by the City of Philadelphia, which was Carolyn Verdi at 215-925- first a community bath house for Italian immi- 2997 or [email protected].

Neighbors Feeding Neighbors St. Peter’s Food Cupboard Fills a Local Need

ince 1988, the Food Cupboard, a small Volunteers for the Cupboard come from Ssocial outreach ministry at St. Peter’s all walks of life. The children at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, has helped those who School bag groceries every Thursday afternoon struggle to keep food on their shelves. Staffed during the school year and adult volunteers fill entirely by church and community volunteers, in during the summer. Between 60 and 80 bags the Cupboard distributes approximately 3,000 per week are handed out between 8 and 10 a.m. bags of groceries annually (over 49,000 total every Saturday morning in the parish house since 1988) to low and fixed income individu- at 313 Pine Street. Acquiring the food is als, families, and the elderly. Over the past 16 becoming increasingly difficult. Volunteers years the Food Cupboard has distributed about collect donated food from canned food drives, $750,000 worth of food, right in our backyard! low-cost distribution centers, and the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank. Everyone works Surprisingly, many of their clients are Society towards one goal, eliminating the hidden Hill residents with fixed incomes. Most are hunger problem within our community. elderly. Many recipients rely on the Food Cupboard for proper nutrition. Clients may To volunteer your time and/or resources come to the Food Cupboard on a biweekly to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Food basis to obtain one bag of nutritionally Cupboard, contact parish administrator balanced groceries. Kate Randall at 215-925-5968. PAGE 28 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

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Free Report shows Two Agents for the Price of One – how to get the highest price More Time and Attention for You! for your home when you sell… Marybeth Robinson has joined me Guaranteed!! as a full time Licensed Assistant. Philadelphia, PA – A recently released report created by industry insiders Rosemary Fluehr, GRI reveals the mistakes to avoid and the Associate Broker steps to take when selling a home. 215-440-8195 – Direct While not difficult to understand, this 215-627-6005 – Office information has not been public know- rfl[email protected] ledge before now. To get your free copy, call 1-800-949-4758 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your Free Copy will be delivered within 7 business days! Limited number available, call today. JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 29

Is This Town Big Enough for Warring Ducks?

n article by Jim Nolan in the August 6 issue Super Ducks obtained a parking space at 6th Amphibian A of the Daily News cited claims of dirty and Chestnut Streets, as well as a ticket kiosk dealings, insider politics and preferential treat- right next to Ride the Ducks. Thus, the war Invasions, Part 2 ment for the owners of Philadelphia’s latest of ducks began, and a judge’s decision barred tourist attraction, Super Ducks. This new access to the ramp into the river by Super company is affiliated with Milton Street, the Ducks, because that ramp was originally built Mayor’s brother, and Ed McLaughlin, formerly and contracted for exclusive use by Ride the the city’s Commissioner of Licenses and Ducks. That decision is now being appealed. Inspections. Super Ducks is a profit-making Money’s the issue, which reflects a 26 percent tourist ride in competition with Ride the Ducks, upsurge in the city’s tourist trade in the last the successful moneymaking firm that began year. So, is there something fishy going on, operating in the historic district in 2003. These as asserted by Milton Street? Is there no amphibious vehicles tour through city streets appearance of impropriety, as asserted by Ed and then descend for a swim into the Delaware McLaughlin? Is Super Ducks getting preferen- River. Ride the Ducks features upgraded tial treatment because of its connections? WWII-era amphibious vehicles that are 34 feet Or will the 10-year contract for exclusive use of long, while the 39-foot long Super Ducks the ramp by Ride the Ducks be upheld? What vehicles were newly designed and built. does this add up to, and what do you think?

2004 SHCA BUSINESS/INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERS

SHCA welcomes the support and Hotels/Inns Realtors/Real Estate Developers membership of businesses, institutions, Gaskill House B &B 401 S. 2nd Street Assoc – Wayne Spilove professionals and religious organizations. Independence Park Inn Howard Lander We ask our neighbors to support or Omni Hotel Maxwell Realty patronize the following businesses Sheraton Society Hill Prudential, Fox & Roach – W. Wash. Sq. and institutional members: Plumer Realtors Insurance/Finance Plumer Realtors – Izzy Sigman Advertising, Public Relations Advest Turchi Properties Domsky & Simon Advertising The Contributionship SUDI Ltd. Partnership Gannon Coyne Agency Banks & Financial Institutions The Green Tree Perpetual Assurance Co. Religious Institutions Commerce Bank Mather & Company Episcopal Community Services Wachovia Bank Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Interior Design Contractors Mother Bethel AME Church Laugh Out Loud Design A Lott of Repairs Old Pine Presbyterian Church Weixler, Peterson, & Luzi Crafts Old St. Joseph’s R.C. Church Museums/Tourist Attractions Creative Collective Gallery Old St. Mary’s R. C. Church Lights of Liberty Show Society Hill Synagogue Dance School The National Liberty Museum St. Mary’s Convent Society Hill Dance Academy Painters/Contractors St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Dentists R. Chobert Decorating Restaurants & Clubs Pennsylvania Dental Associates Pet Services Ava Ristorante Robert Solomon, D.M.D. Society Hill Veterinary Hospital Downtown Club Food Supplies Fork Restaurant Pharmacy Nicholas Trantas Lamberti’s Cucina Washington Square Pharmacy Graphic Design Schools Printers Parallel Design Friends Select School Media Copy Center Octo Design Group St. Mary’s Interparochial School Property Owners Associations St. Peter’s School Hair Salons 100 Lombard Owners Ass’n Salon @ 5th Other Commercial Enterprises Bingham Court Ass’n Pileggi’s Carol Corson Hopkinson House Owners Ass’n Eberhardt-Wallace Historic Institutions Independence Place Owners Ass’n Terri Grayboyes Phila. Soc. for Preservation of Landmarks Penn’s Landing Condominium Ass’n Pam Laws & Robert Whitelaw Hospitals Society Hill Towers Owners Ass’n Don Kates & Brian Gordon Pennsylvania Hospital Willings Mews Ass’n National Watch The Papery PAGE 30 SOCIETY HILL Reporter The Conway Team Does It Again! Thank you for helping us achieve 2nd PLACE in Center City for Sales and Listings in the Entrepreneurial Category by the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, with a Grand Total of: • $65 Million in Sales for 2003 • 194 Homes Sold in 2003 • Ranked in the TOP 1% of Realtors Nationwide • Diamond Award Winner from The Greater Philadelphia Association Of Realtors • Prestigious PREA 100 WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU, THANK YOU SINCERELY! Kathy Conway 215-440-8190 Patrick Conway 215-440-8172 Visit www.ConwayTeam.com Many Fabulous New Developments 90% Of Our Business Comes From Friends Telling Friends JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 31

Six Years of Welcome Baskets

HCA’s Welcome Basket program marked “We enjoyed the fresh food items immediately and its sixth anniversary in July 2004. During have now been taking advantage of the restaurant S and theater gift certificates one by one. This is a that period 300 bountiful, beautiful and valuable great program of a great group!” baskets were delivered to new homeowners — — S.S. and R.S., Independence Place. about 50 each year. These baskets were filled “We have greatly enjoyed our basket of local with fresh food, local information and gift goodies and information about Philadelphia. certificates to a variety of restaurants, salons Thank you so much for the hospitality you have and theaters. Here is a brief sampling of notes shown to us. It has certainly made us feel welcome. we’ve received from recipients who expressed — L.K. and T.S., Spruce Street their appreciation. SHCA’s Welcome Basket coordinator, Martha “Thank you for the wonderful basket you gave us Levine, is busily trying to catch up on assembling “The neighbor- and your great introduction to Philadelphia and this these baskets of goodies for all new Society Hill great neighborhood.” homeowners. If she’s inadvertently missed hood is a special — V.M. and A.G., Penn’s Landing Condominiums you, please contact her at 215-629-0727 or one and we “Thank you for welcoming us in this most gracious [email protected]. ...And by patronizing appreciate all way. The neighborhood merchants who donated all the businesses and institutions that make each that the associa- of the wonderful items deserve much thanks. The of our Welcome Baskets “one-of-a-kind,” you neighborhood is a special one and we appreciate all tion does to that the association does to make it that way.” will express your thanks and help us continue make it that way.” — E.K. and B.K., Delancey Street the success of this program.

SUPPORT OUR WELCOME BASKET DONORS! Coffee Shops Deux Cheminees, 1221 Locust Olde City Coffee, 221 Church & Reading Fork, 306 Market Terminal Market Mustard Greens, 622 S. 2nd Starbuck’s Coffee Inc., 347 South Street Overtures Restaurant, 609 E. Passyunk Food Stores Panorama Ristorante, 14 N. Front Chef’s Market, 231 South Street Sfizzio Restaurant, Society Hill Towers ShopRite, 29 Snyder Salons Super Fresh Food Markets, 5th & Pine Brescia Salon, 118 South Street Whole Foods Market, 929 South Street John Romano’s, Curtis Center Museums/Theaters/Entertainment Pileggi on the Square, 717 Walnut Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, 36th & Walnut Salon @5th, 316 S. 5th Arden Theatre Co., 40 N. 2nd Specialty Foods Ghost Tours of Philadelphia, 215-413-1997 Dairy Queen, 514 South Street Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Columbus Homemade Cookies by Roz, 510 S. 5th The Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Metropolitan Bakery, 1114 Pine and 126 Market Lights of Liberty Show, 6th & Chestnut Mums and Pops Confectionery, 932 Locust Mann Center for Performing Arts, 52nd & Parkside Pink Rose Pastry Shop, 630 S. 4th The National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut Rita’s Water Ice, 239 South Street New Jersey State Aquarium, Camden, NJ Zeke’s Deli, 318 S. 5th Pennsylvania Ballet, 1101 S. Broad Specialty Shops Phila Chamber Ensemble, Old Pine, 400 Pine American Pie Crafts, 8 South Street Phila Shakespeare Festival, 2111 Sansom Paper on Pine, 1108 Pine Phila Theatre Company, 1714 Delancey Show of Hands Gallery, 1006 Pine The Prince Music Theater, Broad & Chestnut The Write Touch, 215-413-2738 Ritz Theatre, 2nd & Walnut Society Hill Dance Academy, 409 S. 2nd Sports Clubs/FItness Training Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. 8th Philadelphia Sports Club, 220-250 S. 5th TLA Video, 517 S. 4th SCULPT-Fitness Training by Randi Skibinsky, 215-928-1433 Wilma Theatre, 265 S. Broad Other Services Restaurants Patricia Bentz K-9 Training, 215-551-5254 Bridget Foy’s South Street Grill, 200 South Street Riff Cleaners, 314 S. 5th City Tavern, 138 S. 2nd James Scott AID Interior Design, 215-922-2737 Creperie Beau Monde, 624 S. 6th Pearls by Leah, 215-627-4049 PAGE 32 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

Earthlight Images Gallery is happy to announce that we will have weekend hours starting September 4th. The Gallery will feature the Fine Art Photography of Armond Scavo Gallery hours: Friday – Saturday: 11am – 6pm (fine art framing specialist available Fridays) Monday – Thursday by appointment

All are invited to the opening celebration that will coincide with the gallery’s participation in the Philadelphia Open Studio Tour, October 16th and 17th.

Earthlight Images Gallery 764 S. 7th Street, Philadelphia. Pa • 215.592.8832 E-mail: [email protected] www.earthlightimages.com JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 33

MEMBERSHIP NEWS Do You Want Cleaner Sidewalks?

ur anti-litter campaign, initiated in Septem- Membership Nears 1,000 Ober 1996, was conceived as a visible benefit for Society Hill residents. Eight workmen pick Renewals 856; New 131; Total Members 987 up litter from our sidewalks following weekly In mid-August, SHCA’s Administrator Matt trash pickup. To help fund the program, SHCA DeJulio reported that we have 987 members. annual dues were raised from $30 to $40, and a Only 13 more memberships are needed to goal of doubling the number of members from arrive at our record-breaking goal of 1000! 400 to 800 was set. It took several years to reach We ask Society Hill newcomers or “old-timers” that goal, and we had to skip several months of who haven’t renewed in recent years to show additional clean-up service due to lack of funds. support for our year-round efforts by signing up now. Our activist organization gets work Eventually we reached beyond our modest goal done on many fronts. Just read the article on of 800 participating SHCA members — enabling this page about how we help keep our streets us to improve the sidewalk clean-up program clean. Indeed, there would as follows: August 2001: Added an anti-graffiti be nothing to read if our clean-up component; June 2003: Added a group of professional vol- mechanical sweeper to sweep along the build- unteers failed to keep you ing lines of our most heavily traveled thru- informed by writing and streets; October 2003: Included the south side assembling this quality of Lombard Street (not officially within Society bi-monthly newsletter! Hill’s district). Do fill out the coupon Currently we are considering an additional day and send it to us today. of follow-up cleaning — Mondays for the 2005 Thanks so much. spring and summer tourist season. The cost is about $10,000 for a six-month period, but the SOCIETY HILL CIVIC ASSOCIATION number of months we will be able to fund the program will depend on your response to our 2004 Membership Application/Renewal upcoming membership campaign. If you want o Renewal o New it and are willing to pay for it, it will be there! Remember: every 40 additional members who o $40 Household o $100 Business join our current group of almost 1,000 mem- o $60 Businesses with under 5 employees $ bers will allow us to pay for one additional Additional contribution for o Anti-Graffiti month of sidewalk clean-up on Mondays! o Tree Tending o Lighting o Litter Control $ How you can help: Join or rejoin SHCA in the upcoming 2005 Total enclosed $ membership drive — and if you haven’t yet Check if you wish to receive joined for 2004, what are you waiting for? o Guide for Property Owners o Historic Windowpane Plaque

Add a voluntary contribution for litter clean-up. I/We would be interested in working with one of SHCA’s committees. Two-thirds of SHCA members already provide My/Our interests include: funding for one or more of our initiatives. For example, you, your firm, or a group of your Name block’s neighbors can co-sponsor the current sidewalk program in any of the following ways: Address Apt. # $ 25 Your own block for one month; City, State, Zip $300 Your own block for all year; Home Phone $140 The “green machine” for one month; $350 the 8-person clean-up crew for one day. Work Phone It is up to those of you reading this article to E-mail determine if the Board should add a second Mail to Society Hill Civic Assoc., P.O. Box 63503, Philadelphia, PA 19147 SHCA paid-for clean-up day next spring. Let If you cannot afford membership dues, please donate what you can. your voice be heard. PAGE 34 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

NOTEWORTHY NEIGHBORS

A COLUMN BY DAVID WOODS Franklin and Lynne Roberts

ranklin Roberts is an Ernest F Hemingway look-alike. Sipping a glass of Cuban rum in the luxuriant garden of the Delancey Street home that he and his wife, Lynne, built in the 1960s, he is certainly a creative force. He’s also extremely versatile. Starting out as a sports writer after graduating in English at Penn, he went on to become a vice president for radio and TV at a New York ad agency before joining his brother’s ad agency in Philadelphia. Later, he invested in Broadway plays including “Fiddler on the Roof” and “1776” both of which won Tony Awards. Lynne Roberts has a background in He then went on to create and produce theatre and politics, too, working in public affairs and performing arts production at the Theatre of the projects for corporate and institutional Living Arts, running in a primary ODE TO THE ELDERS OF SOCIETY HILL organizations. His latest includes what against the elder James Tayoun and Composed by Franklin S. Roberts he calls his own bicentennial project, helping the campaigns of George Summer, 2004 “Four Little Pages,” a musical play McGovern and Bill Green. A graduate starring Benjamin Franklin. of Vassar with a master’s degree from Some forty years ago this eve Temple, Lynne is now a director of A handy few who did perceive And it’s his namesake that’s occupying programs and grants developer at A treasure lost to sloth and grime Franklin Roberts now, as the tercente- Temple’s College of Education. She Might live again in modern times nary of Benjamin’s birth will be cele- served as president of the Citizens And resurrect historic myths brated in 2006. In an age when people Committee for Public Education, Faint mem’ries in the Bloody Fifth identify themselves by their trade or was associated with the McCall School, So gingerly they ventured forth profession, Roberts’s precise métier is which the couple’s children Andrew From sheltered dens and suburbs north hard to define. “I do whatever I can get and Laura attended, and was involved Young architects with damp diplomas away with; I’m a thinker,” he says. His in the drive to prevent I-95 from being Artistes sampling strange aromas thoughts about the tercentenary have built as an elevated highway right here Young lawyers yet to craft a tort to do with creating public awareness of in our own neighborhood. Conjoined with folks of last resort the myriad talents of Franklin and how, Heroic stoic pioneers like his acclaimed historical vignettes Oh, and one other Hemingway Accompanied by their dainty dears involving Washington, Twain, Lincoln connection. The author was kicked Soon testing bricks and termite borings and other American icons, Roberts can out of Cuba when Fidel Castro came Privy pits and ancient floorings create pageantry in the great philoso- to power; the Roberts’s faced a similar Making do with wine and gorgon’ pher’s and inventor’s honor. rebuke when they were refused entry Hauled overland from Front and Or’gon to the country after arriving from Franklin — Roberts, that is — has Today the Hill is once more chaste Mexico. The Pope was visiting and historical antecedents of his own. He The formstone fronts have been erased security was especially tight. grew up in Society Hill and has lived Cute flower pots frame Franklin Lamps here ever since, except for a brief The couple are true originals, not only And candlelight leads tourist tramps period in New York. He served as the as longtime denizens of Society Hill, All hail the wheezing heroes bold third president of the Society Hill Civic but as local noteworthies. When not You fought decay and restored old Association and initiated an earlier on the local scene they are often in All now can see Ben Franklin’s dream incarnation of the neighborhood’s Mexico, a country whose culture The perfect spot for slot machines! newsletter. and ambience they love.

David Woods can be reached at [email protected] JULYSEPTEMBER/ AUGUST/ OCTOBER2003 2004 PAGE 35

The Green Tree Perpetual Assurance Company Episode VIII • Confusion After War After the Revolution had freed us from the lutionary War excepting the right to tyranny of King George III and in the hurly- pay taxes. Many were exiled; others burly that follows war and attends political improvisation, the common drive to create had fled to Nova Scotia or returned a new nation vied for public attention with to England. In the course of time, the the individual pursuit of self-interest. The economic value of restoring Loyalists passage below is from an unpublished histo- to their rights and property was finally ry of The Green Tree by Clifford Lewis, Jr., recognized, and the odious Test Laws who was elected Secretary of The Green Tree in 1925. In so doing, he followed his were repealed by the General Assembly brother, Colonel David; his father, Clifford; of 1789. Loyalists were still excluded and his grandfather, David Lewis. from the “Dancing Assembly,” and Free Quakers, about whom Dr. S. Weir The population of Philadelphia Mitchell, a Trustee of The Green Tree they therefore propose to employ a in 1784, then the largest city in from 1867 until 1914, wrote in his number of scavengers for the ensuing the Thirteen States, was said to be historical novel Hugh Wynne, Free year, that will rake up and haul away between thirty and thirty-five thou- Quaker, were actively engaged in a the filth and dirt as often as necessary sand. Measuring the size of the city campaign against the proposed New to keep the streets clean.” Another by built-up blocks, it may be said that Theatre “in Chestnut Street in the item in the same paper reads: “Where- Philadelphians began and ended their neighborhood of Sixth from Delaware.” as my wife, Jane Newlin, hath for sev- day within the area bounded by Sixth There was a roughness in the eral years past treated me with con- Street, Delaware River, Vine and South routine life of the city in 1784. tempt and abuse, and upon the 16th Streets. Here they lived, worked, slept, Newspapers of the day told of gangs day of October 1782 conveyed all the and enjoyed a leisurely social life in of villains who were robbing in the goods and furniture out of my house well-built houses. streets and breaking into houses almost and eloped from my bed and abode… Americans were rediscovering every night and sometimes stealing These are to forewarn any person or themselves after the War, wondering Oyl from the city lamps, or even the persons from trusting her on my how to govern themselves, how to pay lamps themselves! Public pumps, account as I am determined not to their bills, and what to do with Loyal- private wells, and numerous streams, pay any debts of her contracting.” ists. They had governed themselves as including Dock Creek, supplied the One week before The Green Tree thirteen separate commonwealths under city with water; improvements to the met for organization on September 29, the Articles of Confederation, but it public roads were financed through 1784, THE PACKET carried the follow- was easier to unite for a common de- the State Lottery Commission. ing notice: “Dr. Le Mayeur, Dentist, fense in time of War than to unite on During the absence of Benjamin who has been successful in transplant- a plan for governing themselves in time Franklin, then in France negotiating ing Teeth in New York, proposes to of Peace. The rights, jealousies, and the terms of Peace, there was no all- be in Philadelphia the latter end of interests of the several States had to be seeing eye to watch over the city’s September.” In November, a further reconciled before an agreement on the housekeeping. THE PACKET reported item in THE PACKET reported that form of government could be reached. comments of a merchant revisiting the “Dr. Le Mayeur, Lately from New There was also the problem of city after an absence of some little time, York, who transplants Teeth, has finances, of public and private debts; “It is surprising to find that Philadel- taken lodgings at Mr. Greenfield’s, a State currency rather than a phia has grown to such opulence and in Market Street. Any person disposed National currency complicated extent without marking the streets or to sell their Front Teeth, or any of matters, and specie was drained from numbering the houses. In a city where them, may call on Dr. Le Mayeur at the American market by an excess of these are attended to, such as London, his lodgings and receive Two Guineas foreign importations after the War. Dublin or New York, it is much easier for each Tooth.” Credit was supplied through the Bank for a stranger to find a maker of pin With the Quaker influence ever of North America until, in response heads or a coal porter than it is to present, Philadelphians held strong to public clamor against the Bank’s find the most noted merchant in views on what should be and what monopolistic policy, its State Charter Philadelphia.” should not. What was liked was right, was revoked in 1785. An advertisement appeared in what was disliked was very wrong. Still to be solved was the third THE GAZETTE, saying that the Street The individualist prevailed, blazing the problem—what to do with the Loyal- Commissioners find “that letting out trail he had made himself. Collectively ists. They had been deprived of all the Streets to be cleaned by individuals he was making a new country. © rights of citizenship during the Revo- has not had the wished for effect; that (To be continued.) Advertisement 215-925-0609 · 1-800-468-tree www.thegreentree.com PAGE 36 SOCIETY HILL Reporter

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

September 8 - November 17 Wednesday, September 22 Sunday, October 17 Old Pine Church Interfaith Series SHCA Board Meeting, 6 p.m. Old Pine Church Jazz All meetings take place at 7 p.m. SHCA General Meeting, 7 p.m. The Mary Ellen Desmond Quartet on Wednesdays at 4th & Lombard Old Pine Church, 4th & Lombard 4th & Lombard, 5 p.m. September 8: Judaism See page 1 September 22: Catholicism Monday, October 25 Sunday, September 26 September 29: Islam “A Night of Italian Song” October 27: Protestantism Physick House Garden Party First Unitarian Church, November 3: Hinduism 321 South 4th Street, 4:30-7:30 p.m. 2125 Chestnut St., 6 p.m. November 17: Buddhism $45 in advance; RSVP appreciated For information call 215-925-2997 See page 17 for more information For information call 215-922-6926 See page 27 on this important series Saturday, October 2 Sunday, October 31 Saturday, September 18 Raindate Sunday, October 3 Halloween Parade and Costume Contest Memorial Service for 3 Bears Park Annual Fall Festival Three Bears Park, 4 p.m. Charles E. Peterson, F.A.I.A. Three Bears Park, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 300 block Delancey St. Christ Church 300 block Delancey St. See page 19 20 N. American Street, 1 p.m. See page 19 (at 2nd & Market) Saturday, October 2 - October 23 Sunday, September 19 Old Pine Church Film Series Old Pine Church Jazz All films will be screened at 7 p.m. The Barbara Montgomery Quartet on Saturday evenings at 4th & Lombard 4th & Lombard, 5 p.m. October 2: “Central Station” October 9: “Italian for Beginners” Monday, September 20 October 16: “Shipping News” Free Library, Independence Branch October 23: “Amelie” Meryl Levitz reports on Philadelphia tourism See page 17 SOCIETY HILL 7th & Market, 6:15 p.m. See page 14 Reporter www.societyhillcivic.com

$375,000