Starting Friday, October 9, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy presents the fourth annual Night of Lights. This year’s Night of Lights will take the form of an extended public art installation activating Germantown Avenue and transforming Chestnut Hill’s familiar commercial corridor into an interactive exhibition of local history and architecture.

From October 9-25, historical images and films from the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Archives will be projected through storefront windows along Germantown Avenue, while neighboring historic buildings will be illuminated with colored lights. An expanded virtual experience—accessible on site and at home—will allow for socially distanced explorations of community history, while offering a platform for attendees to share your stories.

With less than two weeks until the start of this magical event, let’s take a peek at some of the historical images that are helping us bring our community’s history to light!

Every evening October 9-25, 7PM – 10PM

Don’t forget to RSVP on Facebook for even more sneak peeks and updates!

A Short Religious History

of Chestnut Hill

People seek spiritual sustenance in different ways. Over the centuries, many places of worship have been built in the Chestnut Hill area. They offer spiritual sustenance through varied religious traditions and reflect the ever-evolving demographics of this area.

The completion of what is now known as the Chestnut Hill East railway line in 1854 brought many changes to the village, including new and more prosperous residents, many of them Episcopalian or Presbyterian. The Presbyterian Church at 8700 Germantown Avenue, pictured above, was completed around 1853. The wooden spire was later removed. To the right is the former rectory, which now serves as the offices of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy.

Learn more about the growth and evolution of religious groups and their places of worship, from the 17th century to the present, in this illuminating slideshow!

Country Houses and Estates in Springfield Township

Along with the railroads in the mid-1800s came an influx of people to Springfield Township. What resulted was the construction of the area’s great estates and country homes, explored in depth in this slideshow developed by the Springfield Township Historical Society.

Pictured above is one of the Yeakle-Miller houses. In 1892, Daniel Yeakle and his son-in-law John Faber Miller built two identical Queen Anne-Shingle style homes on two acres of the Yeakle farm, located on the east side of Bethlehem Pike in Erdenheim. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the homes continue as private residences.

Learn more about Rauhala, Whitemarsh Hall, Belcroft (now the campus of La Salle College High School) and many other estates–existing and demolished–of the area through beautiful archival images!

Country Houses and Estates in Springfield Township is presented by Night of Lights and Conservancy sponsor

The Sivel Group.

It’s back! Visit all eight of this year’s Night of Lights slideshow locations, fill in the keyword for each location on your Pastport, and win a prize! Drop off your Pastport at any projection location, the Conservancy office (8708 Germantown Avenue), or wherever you see a Pastport Station sign in the window. Be sure to include your email address to receive your prize.

Your Pastport also includes information on participating businesses, special storyteller stations, building histories, and how to share your own stories and memories of the Chestnut Hill Area. Be sure to pick one up to enjoy the full Night of Lights experience!

Pick up your Pastport starting this week at the following locations:

2020 CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY LEAD SPONSOR

2020 CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY GENERAL SPONSORS

2020 NIGHT OF LIGHTS MEDIA SPONSOR

2020 NIGHT OF LIGHTS PARTNERS AND SPONSORS