Chestnut Hill Conservancy February Newsletter

February Newsletter Spring Takes Root at the Conservancy Photo and text by the late author Paul Meyer—former Chestnut Hill Conservancy board member and F. Otto Haas Executive Director of the Morris Arboretum—noted in his Conservancy Tree of the Month articles. Eastern White PineEastern white pine is the tallest tree in the eastern North American forest. Many trees more than 150 feet have been recorded and historical accounts note trees exceeding 200 feet. It is a long-lived species, often living more than 200 years, and trees over 450 years old have been observed. Its natural distribution ranges from the southern Appalachian Mountains in Georgia northward into southeastern Canada, and northwest into Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.Here in Chestnut Hill, white pine is an important landscape tree. Once established, it grows rapidly, up to 3 feet a year for the first few decades of its life. After that, growth gradually slows to less than 1 foot a year. When young, eastern white pines have a formal, pyramidal form, but as they mature the crown opens and becomes more irregular. It is common for eastern white pine branches to break in storms, contributing to a picturesque habit. Beautiful mature white pines can be seen throughout our communities, often towering over nearby homes. Notable white pines can be seen in Pastorius Park and the Morris Arboretum.

From the Executive Director’s Desk:It’s hard for me to believe that a year has passed since I joined the Conservancy as Executive Director at the beginning of 2025. Thanks to the work of the staff and the board and the support of the community, we’ve accomplished a lot, and time has certainly flown by.

We created a framework for our five-year strategic plan; opened our Mapping The Wissahickon exhibit; received a grant to plan a more accessible public experience at our headquarters; negotiated the preservation of the interior of the Germantown Trust building; stewarded our accredited easement program; engaged in project review as part of the Philadelphia Zoning Code’s Registered Community Organization process; partnered with other community organizations for a spectacular Night of Lights; and led advocacy work in response to a problematic City Council bill that could damage historic preservation efforts in Philadelphia.

	Most importantly, we spent significant time connecting with people in the lower Wissahickon watershed, explaining our updated mission and listening to their priorities in preservation, conservation, and history.

This year, we plan to lead with our core values, as outlined in our mission statement: “inclusive and proactive community engagement.” This will include a series of programs to inform the public about how land use regulation currently works, hear what people care about in their own communities – from particular buildings to landscapes to storytelling – and brainstorm what city planning and advocacy techniques can address collective concerns. One of those programs is next week: Ask the Experts: Preservation and Conservation in Philadelphiaon Wednesday, February 25. I hope you will join us. During this free, virtual program, I will present with Kim Chantry, Historic Preservation Planner Supervisor at the Philadelphia Historical Commission, and Meg Cavanagh, Environmental Planner at the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, on understanding and navigating tools for community advocacy in Philadelphia. Learn more and register below.  David Gest, Esq.  David@CHConservancy.Org

Spring Gala 2026 | An Evening at Binderton! Save the date and join the Chestnut Hill Conservancy on Saturday, May 30, for a memorable evening at a historic Chestnut Hill house at our 2026 Spring Gala. Binderton was designed by architects Cope and Stewardson in the Jacobethan style and built in 1903 for its first owner, J. Wilmer Biddle. The house features a garden designed by James Frederick Dawson, of the Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects.We look forward to honoring Dennis F. Meyer for his lifelong dedication to stewardship that has helped preserve the craftsmanship, history, and character of our community, and hope you will join us! Benefactor tickets are available now, with Patron tickets available in April. As the Spring Gala typically sells out early each year, we hope you’ll save the date and plan to join us.Benefactor Tickets If you cannot join us but would like to make a donation in lieu of attending or in honor of Dennis Meyer, our Spring Gala honoree, click HERE. The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s 2026 Spring Gala is made possible through the generous support of our Lead Sponsor, Chubb, General Sponsors, Event Sponsors, and Gala Benefactors. Thanks to our generous Spring Gala Sponsors, including Jacobson Strategic Communications, Peter Zimmerman Architects, Practiced Hands Tree Care, and Springer Capital.Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Please contact our Development team to learn more by emailing our Director of Development, Ashley Maass, Devlopment Associate Anne Oltmanns, or our Executive Director, David Gest.

Spring Programs in Full BloomBelow is a look at most of our Spring 2026 public programs, with special highlights on two upcoming offerings that reflect the Conservancy’s commitment to accessible education, principled advocacy, and the celebration of underrecognized stories throughout the lower Wissahickon watershed.As the season continues to unfold, more announcements will be budding soon, including an active members-only program in May, a special Discovering program in June, and another Ask the Experts session later this spring.A reminder that when you register for Conservancy programs, you’ll receive access to the program recording. For low-cost programs such as Discovering, recordings are shared only with registered attendees. Conservancy members receive discounted registration for Discovering programs, helping support the Conservancy’s work in preservation, conservation, and community education. Recordings of our free Ask the Experts programs are made publicly available on the Conservancy’s YouTube channel; however, only registered attendees receive handouts and additional materials.

Ask the Experts: Preservation and Conservation in PhiladelphiaUnderstanding and Navigating Tools for Community AdvocacyWednesday, February 25, 2026 Virtual, via Zoom | 7:00–8:30 PM Registration: Free; advance registration required.Click here to register.This free virtual program provides a clear, high-level overview of the legal and planning tools that shape zoning, historic preservation, and environmental conservation in Philadelphia.The session will be led by David Gest, Esq., Executive Director of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, with presentations from Kim Chantry, Historic Preservation Planner Supervisor at the Philadelphia Historical Commission, and Meg Cavanagh, Environmental Planner at the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. The program concludes with a moderated Q&A led by Jean McCoubrey, AIA, architect and Conservancy board member.Looking ahead to the program, David Gest shared the following perspective on the session and its goals:“I’m very excited for our program on preservation and conservation tools for community advocacy, during which my focus will be zoning. I know that the Zoning Code can often feel like a very dense—and dare I say boring—topic, but I really enjoy explaining how zoning works in understandable terms, and helping people gather information that they can apply in their own neighborhoods. I’m thankful for our partnership with the Philadelphia Historical Commission and the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, and we will work together to pack a lot of information into one session!” The program is intended for a broad audience and applies citywide, with a contextual focus on Northwest Philadelphia.Learn more and register Ask the ExpertsAsk the Experts provides free expert advice on key issues related to historic homes, collections, and landscape care. The Conservancy organizes this free public education series in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

Discovering: Elizabeth R. Hirsh FleisherPhiladelphia’s First Registered Woman ArchitectThursday, March 12, 2026 Virtual, via Zoom | 7:00–8:30 PM Registration: $20 for Conservancy members and docomomo Greater Philadelphia members | $25 for non-members Advance registration required. The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants approximately one day prior.Click here to register.This virtual lecture explores the life and work of Elizabeth R. Hirsh Fleisher, Philadelphia’s first registered woman architect, whose career spanned the early decades of the 20th century and whose contributions have long been underrecognized in architectural history.Presented by Amy Lambert and co-presented with docomomo Greater Philadelphia, the program examines Fleisher’s modernist design work, professional practice, and collaborative approach to architecture. Through archival research and built examples, the lecture situates Fleisher’s work within broader conversations about authorship, labor, and gender in architectural practice.As Lambert notes, “A deeper dive into Elizabeth R. H. Fleisher’s career allows us to better understand the collaborative nature of design. Dispelling the myth of a lone genius handing off a scribble for a draftsperson to create construction documents, Elizabeth seems to have played to her collaborators’ strengths, flattening the design hierarchy within a project team. Her legacy of nurturing relationships among clients and colleagues alike underscores the power of the collective over ego.”The program concludes with a moderated Q&A led by Jean McCoubrey, AIA, architect and Conservancy board member.Learn more and register DiscoveringThe Discovering series, one of the Conservancy’s signature public programs, spotlights the area’s rich architecture, history, and natural beauty through guided tours and lectures. Active Conservancy members enjoy discounted tickets and exclusive access to events, fostering deeper connections throughout Northwest Philadelphia and the Wissahickon watershed.

Discovering: Chestnut Hill’s Victorian DistrictFrom Trains to Utopia: Uncovering Chestnut Hill’s 19th-Century Charm

	Saturday, April 11, 2026 In-person walking tour | 2:00–4:00 PM Led by George McNeely, architectural historian and Our Town columnist Registration: $20 for Conservancy members | $25 for non-membersClick here to register.

Discovering: Pastorius Park History, Trees, and the Art of Stewardship

	Saturday, May 9, 2026 In-person walking tour | 2:00–4:00 PM Led by Rob Fleming, ASLA, and James McNabb Registration: $20 for Conservancy members | $25 for non-membersClick here to register.

Membership support plays a vital role in sustaining programs like Discovering, Ask the Experts, and other public education initiatives that advance the Conservancy’s mission.Learn more about becoming a member The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s public programming is free or low-cost, made possible through the generous support of our Lead Sponsor, Chubb, as well as our General Sponsors, Event Sponsors, and dedicated members. The 2026 Ask the Experts Event Sponsors are Ace Hardware Home Services and Krieger Jacob Architects,while Atkin Olshin Schade Architects serves as the 2026 Supporting Sponsor. Our 2026 Discovering Event Sponsor is John B. Ward & Co. Arborists. Heritage Consulting Group and Laurel Hill Gardens are both proud 2026 Discovering Supporting Sponsors.

Historic District Advisory Committee Meeting — March 5The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Historic District Advisory Committee (HDAC) will meet virtually on Thursday, March 5, at 6:30 PM. The HDAC reviews projects affecting historic buildings, properties, and landscapes within the Chestnut Hill National Register Historic District and participates in the Conservancy’s Registered Community Organization (RCO) process.At the upcoming meeting, the HDAC will review a zoning variance application for 102 E. Mermaid Lane, which proposes the construction of 28 new dwelling units.Community members are encouraged to learn more about the project and register to attend the public RCO meeting to participate in the discussion.

Learn more and register

Highlights from the Conservancy’s 2026 Annual MeetingThank you to everyone who joined the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s 2026 Annual Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, whether in person at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy or virtually. We were grateful to gather with members, supporters, and friends from across the community and extend our sincere thanks to Springside for generously hosting us.

	Following opening remarks from Executive Director David Gest, Esq. and Board President Bill Webster, Conservancy staff shared highlights from the past 12–18 months across preservation, conservation, archives, and community engagement, with an emphasis on alignment with the Conservancy’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.

The meeting also included required governance actions, including the approval of Board Directors and Historic District Advisory Committee members.At the outset of the meeting, Bill Webster recognized and thanked outgoing Board members Alice Lea Tasman, Patricia Marian Cove, Federico Mingozzi, and Kevin Chung, followed by an In Memoriam honoring community members whose contributions helped shape preservation, conservation, and civic life in Chestnut Hill and the Wissahickon watershed.The Conservancy was pleased to welcome Cindy Hamilton, President of Heritage Consulting Group, whose special presentation traced the evolution of historic preservation over nearly two centuries, highlighting the deep connections among preservation, environmental conservation, public policy, and community advocacy. Reflecting on her remarks, Gest noted that “the history of historic preservation includes the history of environmental conservation,” underscoring the Conservancy’s integrated approach to its work.2026 Chestnut Hill Conservancy Legacy AwardsThe evening concluded with the presentation of the 2026 Chestnut Hill Conservancy Legacy Awards, honoring two individuals whose leadership and dedication have left a lasting mark on the organization.Patricia Marian Cove was recognized for her decades of service and steady leadership as Chair of the Historic District Advisory Committee, where her guidance, institutional knowledge, and collaborative approach strengthened the Conservancy’s preservation efforts.

Shirley Hanson, Co-Founder of the Conservancy, reflected on nearly 60 years of involvement, including memories of a 1970 panel discussion featuring architect Louis Kahn, whose words continue to resonate today:

“Chestnut Hill . . . depends so much on its natural features—its streams and trees and general contours. The old houses have become inseparable from the trees and the landscape.”We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and to our community for its continued support of the Conservancy’s mission.

Ongoing Policy and Planning WorkIn September 2025, the Conservancy was also one of 45 signers of a regional letter regarding the President’s House site in Philadelphia, and contributed to the letter’s development. Earlier this month, a coalition led by the National Parks Conservation Association, American Association for State and Local History, Association of National Park Rangers, and the Union of Concerned Scientists filed a federal lawsuit challenging recent National Park Service actions that removed or altered historically and scientifically accurate interpretive materials—prompting a federal judge to order the restoration of the slavery exhibit at Philadelphia’s President’s House site.Discussions around proposed amendments to Philadelphia’s Historic Preservation Ordinance (Bill No. 251030) are ongoing. Since the bill’s introduction last fall, the Conservancy has met with City officials, testified before the Planning Commission, and participated in a series of meetings with Councilmember Squilla, the Law Department, preservation advocates, and community stakeholders to seek improvements to the legislation.While no revised bill has yet been formally introduced and details remain fluid, we expect updated legislative language to be drafted in the coming weeks.The Conservancy will continue to advocate for stronger preservation tools and meaningful collaboration and will keep the community informed as this process evolves.For more information or to connect with our advocacy team, please email Info@CHConservancy.Org or reach our Executive Director, David Gest Esq., directly at David@CHConservancy.Org.

Staff News Beginning January 1, 2026, and announced during the Conservancy’s Annual Meeting on February 3, three dedicated staff members were promoted to Director roles.

Please join us in congratulating Krista Gebbia (Director of Stewardship), who joined the Conservancy in February 2023; Chrissy Clawson (Director of Programs and Communications), who joined in April 2023; and Ashley Maass (Director of Development), who joined the team in January 2024.

We invite you to reach out to learn more about their roles in advancing the Conservancy’s mission.

Year-End Appeal SuccessAs reported during our Annual Meeting and highlighted in the Snapshot shared that evening, we are grateful to share that—thanks to your incredible generosity—the Conservancy not only met but exceeded our 2025 Year-End Appeal goal of $62,000. Your support strengthens our ability to advance the Conservancy’s mission and puts our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan into action, supporting preservation advocacy, conservation stewardship, archives access, and public programs across Chestnut Hill and the lower Wissahickon watershed. Thank you for helping make this progress possible.

SupportYour support allows the Conservancy to continue free or low-cost public programs, preservation efforts, and advocacy for Chestnut Hill’s historic architecture, open space, and cultural resources. Donations directly sustain educational initiatives, conservation easements, and the Archives, ensuring our shared history is protected for future generations.Donate

SponsorshipLooking to sponsor the Conservancy in 2026? Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to support local preservation efforts while gaining visibility among a community passionate about history, conservation, and sustainability.Contact our Director of Development, Ashley Maass, to explore available sponsorship options.Learn more

News February 18 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Friends of Pastorius Park secures funds to restore northeast woodlands”February 12 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Foliage to close at end of month”February 5 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Conservancy to host virtual lecture on Pastorius Park”February 5 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Still preserving Black history in a year of milestones”January 7 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Hiram Lodge rebuild moving forward; new store coming from Tallulah & Bird Interior Design”January 2 – Chestnut Hill Local, “How Chestnut Hill’s ‘stag’ night was liberated by the does”January 2 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Insects, disease, and invasive species, oh my”December 30 – Chestnut Hill Local, “The Conservancy’s year in review and the road ahead”December 23 – Chestnut Hill Local, “The year in community news: New faces, new initiatives, tough fights”December 18 – Chestnut Hill Local, “State awards nearly $4 mil to museums, historical organizations”December 4 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Advocacy alert: Speak up to protect historic resources in Philadelphia”December 4 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Celebrate ‘sandwich bliss’ with part of Philadelphia’s heritage”December 3 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Conservancy’s strategic plan looks at community engagement and expansion”Events Wednesday, February 25 — Ask the Experts: Preservation and Conservation in Philadelphia (Virtual)Thursday, March 5 — HDAC (virtual)Thursday, March 12 — Discovering: Elizabeth R. Hirsh Fleisher (Virtual)Thursday, April 2 — HDAC (virtual)Saturday, April 11 — Discovering: Chestnut Hill’s Victorian District (In person)Thursday, May 7 — HDAC (virtual)Saturday, May 9 — Discovering: Pastorius Park (In person)Tuesday, May 19 — Members-Only Lecture (Virtual)Saturday, May 30 — Spring Gala (In person)Thursday, June 4 — HDAC (virtual)Thursday, June 11 — Discovering: Woodmere (In person)

2026 LEAD SPONSOR2026 GENERAL SPONSORS2026 SPRING GALA SPONSORS2026 DISCOVERING SPONSORSEVENT SPONSOR  SUPPORTING SPONSORS  2026 ASK THE EXPERTS SPONSORSEVENT SPONSORSSUPPORTING SPONSOR

215-247-9329 | 8708 Germantown Avenue, Phila., PA 19118 | info@chconservancy.org