PRESERVATION Preservation Alliance for greater philadelphia MATTERS THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE FOR GREATER PHILADELPHIA FALL 2011 Philadelphians Honored by Preservation PA hiladelphia organizations and individuals will receive eight of the nineteen awards that will be presented by EXECUTIVE Preservation Pennsylvania at its annual awards luncheon ceremony to be held on September 30 at the DIRECTOR’S Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg, PA. Two additional awards will honor projects in the region. Preservation MESSAGE PPennsylvania’s awards program began in 1979 to recognize significant contributions in the field of historic he Preservation Alliance is cur- preservation made by both individuals and organizations. See the complete winners list, which includes all project partic- rently developing a new strategic ipants, and info on sponsorship and tickets here: www.preservationpa.org/programs/awards/index.php. Tplan to guide our efforts over the coming years. You may have received a The Preservation Alliance congratulates each of the following award winners, many of whom have also received awards request to fill out an online survey, in which from the Alliance. case I hope you did. (The survey is still avail- able online at https://www.surveymonkey. com/s/QTZVK6Q.) Our last strategic plan PHMC Visionary in Preservation was done in 2001-2002 and at that time I served as a consultant to the Alliance to assist Award, Robert A. Jaeger in its development. In fact it was the desire to Sustainability in Historic help implement that plan that led me to Preservation Award: become executive director. Strategic planning is an exercise of trying Wagner Free Institute of Science to look into the future and then figure out how to get there. Right now is an important Project Awards time to do strategic planning, given the eco- nomic difficulties affecting real estate in gen- Single Family eral and most non-profit organizations, but it The Jayne House is at the same time a very difficult period in which to do planning because so many of the John Milner Architects, Inc. things that affect historic preservation are in Multi Family flux. Certain issues that have been of impor- Presser Senior Apartments tance in the past nine years will continue to be important. However, when I think about Bob Jaeger co-founded Partners for Sacred Presser Senior Apartments, LP Places in 1989 and has led its growth and devel- the future of historic preservation in Institutional opment for the past 22 years. PSP is the only Philadelphia I realize that whatever the key national advocate for the sound stewardship Smith Memorial Playground issues are, addressing them effectively will be the task of a next generation, a younger gen- and active community use of America’s older Public religious properties. Through training pro- eration that hopefully cares enough about grams, an information clearinghouse, technical Philadelphia Main Post Office the character of Philadelphia as have others assistance and grants, PSP has served over Brandywine Realty Trust in the past. Nurturing new leaders must 100,000 sacred places across America. Bob has Special Historic Property be a component of our strategic plan. been an active advocate for sacred places in Consequently, in 2012 the Alliance will be Philadelphia, initiating innovative programs to Old Mortality Sculptural Group at Laurel Hill Cemetery launching a mentoring program to support help preserve many of the city’s architectural emerging leaders in historic preservation to masterpieces. He is truly a visionary whose Great hall of the Jayne House Laurel Hill Cemetery Company help meet the challenges of the future what- work has been critical to historic preservation ever it may bring. not only in Philadelphia but across the country. JOHN ANDREW GALLERY Executive Director Gallery Receives Jordan Award leagues, but an even greater honor to receive this award because I admired Henry Jordan so John Andrew Gallery, executive director of much. He was not only an important leader for the Preservation Alliance, is the recipient of Preservation Pennsylvania, but he was very Preservation Pennsylvania’s 2011 Henry A. supportive of the Preservation Alliance and Jordan Award. The award honors Henry A. generously gave me advice and support. Jordan, a former Preservation Pennsylvania However, awards like this only serve to make Board Chairman and life-long supporter of the you conscious of how much of the accomplish- historic preservation movement. In keeping ments attributed to yourself are really the with Henry Jordan’s belief that it is at the local results of the work of others. I would therefore level where real historic preservation occurs, like to acknowledge the support and hard work the award recognizes outstanding historic of the Preservation Alliance board and staff preservation efforts at the local/regional level. who have been instrumental in helping me Future preservation leader? When informed of the award John said: “It’s carry out my preservation dreams over the past a great honor to be recognized by your col- nine years.” WWW.PRESERVATIONALLIANCE.COM Area Organizations Working to Preserve Historic Resources The Philadelphia region is fortunate to have many organizations that focus on historic preservation. These range from organizations that are the responsible for one historic house to organizations that offer a variety of programs focused on one aspect of historic preservation. The successful preservation of the region’s historic resources is the result of their dedicated work. To show our appreciation, the Alliance is high- lighting a few of these organizations in this newsletter and intends to highlight others in future newsletters. If your organization would like to be featured in a future newsletter, please contact Holly Keefe at [email protected]. Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust ing visitors to see multiple sites in one afternoon. Visitors can Partners for Sacred Places stroll through historic gardens at Wyck and Grumblethorpe, see The Fairmount Park Historic Preservation Trust preserves the the table where the first protest against slavery in America was historic resources of the Fairmount Park system by providing written at the Germantown Mennonite Historic Trust, and walk investment opportunities for underutilized park properties through short and long-term leasing programs. In addition, the through the home where George Washington stayed during two Trust’s award-winning conservation program provides architec- summers at the Germantown White House. tural conservation services to organizations that steward historic The annual Revolutionary Germantown Festival, scheduled properties in the Fairmount Park system and throughout for October 1, reenacts the Battle of Germantown, fought on October 4, 1777, where the British Army used Cliveden as a fortress against the Continental forces. In addition to reenact- ments at 12pm and 3pm, visitors can view a special exhibition in the Cliveden Carriage house, tour the historic mansion and par- ticipate in family friendly activities at the sites of Historic Germantown, and conclude the day at Grumblethorpe’s annual Oktoberfest, with food and music at the colonial home of the Wister family. For more information about Historic Germantown and upcoming programs, call 215.844.1683 or visit www.freedoms backyard.com. Karl Seifert Inis Nua Theatre Company performs Dublin by Lamplight at Broad Street Ministry in May 2011. Thomas Mansion, built by George Clifford Thomas in 1869. Partners for Sacred Places is a national, non-sectarian advo- Philadelphia. Some of the well-known landmarks in the Trust’s cate and resource for the sound stewardship and community use family of properties are Valley Green Inn, Fox Chase Farm and of historic churches, meetinghouses, mosques, and synagogues. historic Ridgeland Mansion, home of the Cancer Support With offices in Philadelphia, Chicago and Ft. Worth, Partners has Community. worked with congregations in all 50 states through research, Properties currently available for long-term lease include grants and training. Thomas Mansion, a building unique in character, combining Garden view of Wyck, home to nine generations of the same Quaker family. Through intense surveying of both arts groups and congrega- eclectic Victorian architectural detail with the traditional build- tions within Center City Philadelphia, Partners has found that ing materials of the area. The mansion, situated in Clifford Park congregations will often share their spaces with performing and near the intersection of Walnut Lane and Wissahickon Avenue, Historic Germantown Welcomes New visual arts organizations. This space sharing enhances their min- was constructed by George Clifford Thomas in 1869 and boasts Executive Director istry, accesses new communities, and generates revenue. Partners an almost impossibly cantilevered porch roof, decoratively has promoted these relationships, which strengthen congrega- carved verge boards, and a series of carved animal heads adorn- tions and provide much-needed space to artists hungry for more ing the structure of the entrance hood. Intact decorative details continue throughout the building, including polychrome wood Historic Germantown has appointed Barbara Hogue as its first ever exec- venues and offices. First Baptist Church in Philadelphia was an ideal matchmak- wainscoting, original marble fireplaces and decorative rope utive director. Hogue has a background in the arts and non-profit sector, ing candidate.