July/August 2003 The Newsletter of The Society Hill Civic Association SOCIETY HILL Reporter www.societyhillcivic.com Society Hill Towers Celebrates 40th Anniversary Architect Ioeh Ming Pei to be Honored the Year by the American Institute of Architects and went on to build such icons as the John F. ou can’t miss Society Hill Towers. As Kennedy Library in Boston, Massachusetts, the Ymuch a landmark on the Philadelphia National Center for Atmospheric Research in skyline as the statue of William Penn atop Boulder, Colorado, the East Wing of the Smithso- City Hall, these three graceful high rises were nian National Gallery in Washington, D.C. and among the projects cited when their architect, the Pyramide de Louvre in Paris. The 37 Phila- Chinese-born I. M. Pei, was named the 1983 delphia townhouses in the Society Hill complex Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate, the earned Mr. Pei a 1964 design award from the profession’s highest accolade. U.S. Housing and Home Finance Agency. “Waffles?” “Uniquely On July 30, residents of the Towers and Society Hill Towers owes its origin to a few styled aluminum picture visionary Philadelphians, among them Edmund frames?” However they the 37 surrounding townhouses will celebrate were characterized by the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking for Bacon, Charles Peterson, Joseph Clark and architectural critics in the Society Hill project with a small reception Richardson Dilworth, who in the 1940’s and the past, Society Hill for the 85-year-old Mr. Pei in two of the apart- 50’s vowed to stop the exodus of affluent city Towers and architect ments and at a poolside cocktail party. Among dwellers to the suburbs and save Philadelphia’s I.M. Pei will be honored commercial and residential buildings, over on July 30. other tributes planned is a commemorative book detailing the Towers’ history and the 30,000 of which were vacant at the time. architect’s life; a scholarship in Mr. Pei’s Society Hill, then called Washington Square name at Philadelphia’s Charter High School East, with its hundreds of historical but crum- of Architecture and Design; and, in honor of bling houses and its proximity to what would Mr. Pei’s love of natural materials, a garden become Independence National Historical featuring an Italian marble bench and a Park, was a natural place to begin. sundial created by artist Jill Sablosky. Construction on the Towers began in 1963 “Ieoh Ming Pei has given this century some of after the Dock Street produce market, consid- its most beautiful interior spaces and exterior ered one of the worst commercial slums in the forms,” said the Pritzer jury in awarding the country, was moved to the Food Distribution prize. It was not the first major award for the Center in South Philadelphia. Thirty-one acres architect, known for his reliance on abstract were purchased for urban renewal, with five form and use of stone, concrete, glass and of these set aside for a new apartment develop- steel. His firm, I. M. Pei & Partners (formed in ment. In 1963 the Aluminum Corporation of 1958), was named 1968’s Architectural Firm of America (Alcoa) took over 90 percent of the project. Perhaps surprisingly, a London firm, the Second Covent Garden Property Company, WED. MARK YOUR CALENDAR held the remaining 10 percent. July Society Hill Civic Association The Towers officially debuted to mixed reviews Board of Directors Meeting at a widely attended dedication on October 21, Wednesday, July 16, 2003, 7 p.m. 1964. One Inquirer reporter called the slim buildings “three…waffles poking into the 16 Old PIne Community Center Society Hill skyline.” Despite Pei’s growing 4th and Lombard Streets reputation, the amenities offered by Alcoa All Society Hill Civic Association members are encouraged to attend. (underground parking, a planned outdoor pool, If you will be driving to the SHCA Board meeting and plan to park in the well lighted walkways and elegant landscaping), lot on 5th Street, please DO NOT leave your car in the Fire Lane or in any and the city’s earnest efforts to renovate the “No Parking” zone. Vehicles illegally parked will be towed without warning. neighborhood around the complex, the continued on page 7 PAGE 2 SOCIETY HILL Reporter SOCIETY HILL Reporter Editors (July/August Issue) Submissions Vicki Chatley See page 11 for details. Sandra Rothman Deadlines for the next issue: Editorial: August 11, 2003 Editorial Board Advertising: August 1, 2003 Bernice Hamel Carole LeFaivre-Rochester Signed letters to the Editor are always welcome and Business Manager may be published. and Photographer Matthew DeJulio Send submissions to: Society Hill Civic Association Contributors P.O. Box 63503 Matthew DeJulio Philadelphia, PA 19147 Martha Levine tel: 215-629-1288 Liza Seltzer fax: 215-629-9914 Keri White Linda Witt September Reporter Editors: David Woods Bernice Hamel Carole LeFaivre-Rochester Graphic Design [email protected] Visit our website: www.societyhillcivic.com In this Issue… Page 15 Page 22 SHCA Members Greet Project Street Trees: Spring at City Tavern Keeping Society Hill a “Greene Countrie Towne” Page 16 City Tavern, Page 27 the Reconstruction The Bookshelf: The of a Historic Building Scourge of Pestilence Page 19 Page 30 South Street, Re-inventing Noteworthy Neighbors: Itself Once Again John Allen + Sheila Paulos Oops! The May/June 2003 Reporter incorrectly stated that Bonnie Halda served for three years on the Board of Directors of the Society Hill Towers. It should have reported that Bonnie served on the SHCA Board as a representative of the Society Hill Towers. Bonnie has never served on the Management Council of Society Hill Towers. In the last issue the Reporter also failed to acknowledge Linda Skale, the long-time co-chair of Society Hill Open House and Garden Tours. A special thanks is extended to Linda for her role in coordinating this successful program. Caveat Emptor! From time to time the Reporter will print articles about new commercial products or services available in our neighborhood. The purpose is to provide basic information to the reader. It does not signify endorsement of the product, service or business by the Reporter or SHCA. The reader should check references and conduct further investigation before making a purchase. JULY / AUGUST 2003 PAGE 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Join Us! ne of the things I’ve enjoyed most during Omy nine years in Society Hill is working with my neighbors on projects that help our community remain one of the most desirable urban neighborhoods in the country. By taking on the role of president of the Society Hill Civic Association (SHCA), I’m hoping to work closely with as many of you as possible. I hope you agree that SHCA is an important forum for neighborhood communication and action. But it only serves the neighborhood well if the individuals who are served by the association participate in it. So I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you, my neighbor, to get involved to whatever degree you are able. First and foremost, please join SHCA as a dues- paying member. We deliberately keep our dues At the May meeting Liza Seltzer, newly elected SHCA low to ensure that financial barriers won’t keep president, on behalf of the association presented a neighbors from joining. For just $40 a year per framed antique map of old Philadelphia to Malcolm household, our members benefit in many ways. Lazin, who completed his term as president of SHCA. Our streets are cleaner and better lit, we have if you don’t have the time or interest to get a library, new neighbors get SHCA Welcome involved in a formal capacity, there are other Baskets and, of course, we all get the Reporter, things each of us can do to support the work our outstanding community newsletter. of the association. You can: These are just some of the most tangible • Call us at 215-629-1288 when you see benefits, but there are others, too. For example, graffiti so we can arrange for its removal; SHCA works closely with our elected officials on issues such as the future of Penn’s Landing • Take the time to sweep your block on and the transfer of Washington Square to the Clean-up Day and pick up trash wherever National Park Service to ensure respect for you see it; and our neighborhood’s interests. SHCA is vigilant • Call us when a new neighbor moves in so on zoning and historic preservation issues that we can offer a Welcome Basket with gift have a direct impact on the character of our certificates and products from various community. In addition, SHCA is pursuing an neighborhood businesses. ambitious project to transform the underuti- lized Foglietta Plaza into a state-of-the-art These may seem like small things, ones many public facility. Rest assured that your dues of us — including myself — overlook. But if do make a big difference in the quality of life we remind ourselves that we are responsible we enjoy in Society Hill. for guaranteeing that Society Hill remains a place we’re proud to live in, perhaps we can do I’d also love to see more neighbors actively a better job in the future. So for the sake of our participate in SHCA. Come to our Board community, please be active and aware. And meetings — they’re open to all members let people know that the civic association is of the association. It’s a great place to share there to help make this a better neighborhood your ideas and concerns. Think about joining for everyone. a committee, becoming a Block Coordinator or offering to help out in an ad hoc way.