PRESERVATION Preservation Alliance for greater philadelphia MATTERS THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA WINTER 2013 African American Heritage Trail Project Launches of Philadelphia’s historic African American is an anchor site on another planned Heritage communities. Trail tour that will feature North Philadelphia In the 19th century, Philadelphia, home treasures like the Blue Horizon, Freedom to America’s largest free-black community, Theater and the Church of the Advocate. played a major role in the fight against slavery Along with being anchors in their respective and for the rights of citizenship and opportu- neighborhoods, Ms. Richardson points out nity. The city was integral to the Abolitionist that sites such as the historic Uptown Theater movement and activities of the Underground and Mother Bethel AME Church are “gems Railroad, with the majority of activity located [that] are lifting up our communities.” around Lombard Street. This area, known as While learning about local history, African the 7th Ward, was an ideal location for W.E.B. American Heritage Trail tour-takers will also DuBois’ The Philadelphia Negro, and is home discover the vibrant shops and restaurants to the historic Mother Bethel AME Church along the trails. The tours aim to present these and its Richard Allen Museum. gems and their surrounding communities as According to project leader Aissia economically viable places worthy of prudent Richardson, the African American Heritage planning and steady reinvestment. Trail project seeks to promote cultural heri- The African American Heritage Trail tage, walkability, bike-ability and healthy project will officially kick off with a panel living—all with a community focus. discussion and unveiling event, hosted by Mural, entitled Mapping Courage: Honoring W.E.B. Dubois and Engine #11, at 6th and South Sts. “Community preservation is at the heart the Delaware Valley Regional Planning of this project. It is about the preservation Commission on Monday, February 25, 5:30- he Preservation Alliance’s 2009 The African American Heritage Trail proj- of the sites and the neighborhoods that are 7:30pm, at the African American Museum inventory of African American his- ect, created through a collaboration of com- important to us,” she said. in Philadelphia, 701 Arch Street. The public Ttoric sites comes to life this year munity leaders, stewards of historic sites and Ms. Richardson also serves as vice president is invited to join project stakeholders for in the first of five planned heritage tours representatives of various public agencies, of operations for the Uptown Entertainment a probing discussion of this multi-faceted created to get visitors and residents walk- will launch a pilot tour of Philadelphia’s and Development Corporation, a nonprofit project and pilot tour which will serve as a ing and biking through Philadelphia to 7th Ward. The tour will feature mural art, community development organization which model for citywide, regional and national experience the rich past and bright future of historic churches and public markers that owns, and is currently revitalizing, the Uptown tours of African American historic sites. This its neighborhoods. offer a glimpse into the life and times of one Theater at 2240 N. Broad Street. The theater conversation will examine the nexus between continued on page 2 Preservation Alliance Names New Executive Director he Preservation Alliance is pleased to College and an MA in Historic Preservation scapes, and the adaptive reuse of industrial announce that Caroline E. Boyce will Planning from Cornell University. sites. She is currently the principal of sbk + Tassume the leadership of the organi- According to Marian A. Kornilowicz, Chair partners, LLC, a historic preservation consult- zation in March. Caroline is a skilled execu- of the Preservation Alliance Board, “We con- ing practice, and has been a member of the tive, preservationist and development profes- ducted a thorough nationwide search. The Preservation Alliance board since 2011. sional with a background in planning. She has process began almost a year ago, and we were Suzanna is pleased to have an opportunity been serving as Executive Vice President of fortunate to have found the ideal candidate to work with the Alliance staff and lend her AIA Pennsylvania, a Society of The American to provide creative and innovative leadership support to making the executive director Institute of Architects, since 2002, where she to continue our work and move the organiza- transition process a smooth one. She can be spearheaded the growth of the organization tion forward.” reached [email protected] into a nationally recognized public policy lead- The Alliance thrived for the past ten or 215.546.1146, x1. er. She comes to Alliance with a reputation for years under the leadership of John Andrew strong financial leadership and organizational Gallery, who retired earlier this year. ability and is known for her successes in nur- Suzanna Barucco, a preservation consultant turing partnerships and coalitions. Caroline and Alliance Board Director, is serving as is a recipient of Preservation Pennsylvania’s Interim Executive Director. F. Otto Haas Award, which recognizes out- Suzanna is well known in the Philadelphia standing achievement in historic preservation preservation community having been the in the state. director of historic preservation for Martin Prior to AIA PA, Caroline was a founding Jay Rosenblum, RA & Associates and KSK director of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania Architects Planners Historians, Inc., and for and directed the Office of Statewide her service to local organizations as a board Partnerships at the National Trust for member and volunteer. Suzanna has been Historic Preservation. She was also Executive involved in the restoration and interpretation Director of Preservation Pennsylvania for five of many regional historic resources, including Caroline E. Boyce years. Caroline holds a BA from Connecticut house museums, institutions, cemetery land- Suzanna Barucco WWW.PRESERVATIONALLIANCE.COM continued from page 1 the economic and social impact of neigh- at historic resources in neighborhoods and been able to convince DVRPC that there was borhood improvement, history, historic how to feature them in a way that can be a body [of resources] to work with.” preservation and cultural enrichment. accessed by pedestrians or by bicycle,” she Ms. Richardson and Ms. Boulan worked The African American Heritage Trail said. “We’ll have a neighborhood-level out- together with other stakeholders for 26 project was conceived in November 2010 come. It’s nice to see this.” months, organizing and planning to bring at a public participation meeting hosted Both Ms. Richardson and Ms. Boulan the project to fruition. Work continues as by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning credit the Preservation Alliance as a sig- project participants advocate for the inclu- Commission, the organization responsible nificant contributor to the Heritage Trail sion of the Trail tours in local and regional for transportation and regional planning in project. Ms. Boulan said, “I can’t highlight planning, tourism and economic develop- the greater Philadelphia area. the usefulness of the Alliance data enough. ment efforts. According to Cassidy Boulan of DVRPC’s It was important to have this data in place “Data for data’s sake is useless, but when Office of Transit, Bicycle and Pedestrian to start.” that data is connected to a project, and to Planning, the trail project fit in well with Ms. Richarson agreed, saying, “Without a necessity and willingness, then you have the agency’s mission. “The [trail] idea looks the Preservation Alliance, we would not have something,” concluded Ms. Richardson. W.E.B. DuBois historic marker at 6th and Rodman Sts. Area Organizations Focus on Preserving Historic Resources he Philadelphia region is fortunate to have many organiza- Japanese House and Garden in Philadelphia’s West Fairmount Park. tions dedicated to the preservation, restoration and adaptive Shofuso is a traditional-style Japanese reuse of historic buildings, sites and landscapes. The Alliance house and garden that reflects the history of Japanese culture in Philadelphia, from T is pleased to highlight the important work of these organiza- the 1876 Centennial Exposition to the tions. If your organization would like to be featured in a future newsletter, please installation of its contemporary paintings in 2007. Shofuso was built in Nagoya, call 215.546.1146 x3 or email [email protected]. Japan in 1953 using traditional techniques and materials and first exhibited in the courtyard at the Museum of Modern Art Bartram’s Garden through nature, and to promote steward- in New York as part of “The House in the ship, both inside and out. In 2012, several Museum Garden” series. When the exhibi- significant and transformative initiatives tion closed in 1958, the house was moved were unveiled to help the organization to its present site in Philadelphia, replacing connect with more people, including a com- Aldie Mansion an earlier Japanese structure. munity farm and food resource center, the The grounds on which the Japanese Schuylkill River Trail through its meadow, House now stands has had a Japanese the first plant nursery since the 1850’s, and in America when craftsmanship reached structure and gardens almost continuous- the Green Room visitor center. an art form. After Martha Mercer’s death ly since the 1876 Centennial