THE CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY ILLUMINATES GERMANTOWN AVE IN THE 7TH ANNUAL NIGHT OF LIGHTS STREETSCAPE EXHIBITION
The Conservancy Lights Up Germantown Avenue with Historical Projections Showcasing Chestnut Hill’s Archives and Architecture
PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 6, 2024)—The Chestnut Hill Conservancy, a nonprofit educational center advocating for the preservation of architecture, open space, and history in Chestnut Hill and surrounding Wissahickon communities, is thrilled to bring back the much-loved Night of Lights streetscape exhibition for a lucky seventh time. The event will occupy a section of Germantown Avenue from Thursday, Oct. 3 to Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 7 to 9 p.m. nightly.
Night of Lights will transform Chestnut Hill’s iconic main street — Germantown Avenue — into a vibrant nightly streetscape exhibition of local histories and illuminated architecture. Seven storefront windows will project archival images from the Conservancy and other archives, including Historic Germantown and Springfield Township Historical Society. Colorful lights will theatrically highlight often overlooked architectural features of neighboring historic buildings.
Kicking off with a soft preview on Thursday, Oct. 3, this captivating seven-night event will transform Germantown Avenue, bringing its vibrant architecture, archives, and local history to life. The main festivities begin with the much-anticipated brief but spectacular “Flip the Switch” ceremony on Friday, Oct. 4, from 6:45 to 7 p.m., near 8318 Germantown Avenue.
In addition to the projections, this year’s Night of Lights will feature a brand-new digital laser show on the 8300 block of Germantown Avenue by Mid Atlantic FX. Thanks to support from Councilperson Cindy Bass’ office and the City of Philadelphia. For the first time since the exhibition began, Night of Lights will feature archival films digitally mapped to project onto 8318 Germantown Avenue. Moreover, local food and beverage establishments will offer fun and delicious themed specials and extended hours during the exhibition for attendees to enjoy before, during, or after experiencing Night of Lights.
Following the opening ceremony on Friday night only, the Avenue will be full of lively entertainment. That evening, storytellers will interpret and answer questions about each of the seven themed projection locations. At the same time, local musical talents—like jazz group Limited Time Only (LTO), MilkBoy co-founder Tommy Joyner’s Pep Rally, and Maplewood Music Studios (featuring the Rich Rudin Trio and Ralph Salerno)—will set the perfect tone for the evening. Families and history enthusiasts alike can visit the “Ask the Archivists” table for interactive, hands-on activities, including discovering local house histories and diving into the area’s heritage. The fun continues until 9 p.m.
From Saturday on, the exhibition continues with exciting highlights throughout the week, such as the History Jam at the Venetian Club on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and a special themed Trivia Night at Chestnut Hill Brewery onWednesday, Oct. 9, to wrap up the week.
During the nightly event, each of the seven illuminated windows will present themed slideshows comprising historical images and educational content, which will be projected through storefront windows.
The seven themes of this year’s slideshows are as follows:
· A Soup to Nuts History of the Wissahickon Valley – A slideshow showcasing the history of the Wissahickon Valley, from the days of the Lenape Nation to the present, will also celebrate the centennial of the Friends of the Wissahickon.
· Chestnut Hill Architectural Hall of Fame – A celebration of one of the nation’s most architecturally distinguished communities, showcasing exceptional examples of architecture spanning three centuries, presented by the Chestnut Hill Conservancy
· JH Dulles Allen and the Enfield Pottery and Tile Works – The Springfield Township Historical Society will offer a glimpse into the origins and legacy of J.H. Dulles Allen’s Enfield Pottery & Tile Work
· Local Visions: Exploring Northwest Philadelphia’s Vibrant Arts and Artists – A celebration of the vibrant arts scene in Northwest Philadelphia, featuring a curated selection of works from local artists by Woodmere Art Museum. It showcases the rich artistic heritage and diverse talents that have shaped the region’s cultural landscape.
· Public Transportation in Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, and Germantown – A historical exploration of public transportation in Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy, and Germantown, presented by Alex Bartlett, the Conservancy’s Curator and Archivist. This presentation highlights the development and impact of local transit systems and supports the ongoing ‘Save the Train’ campaign, aimed at preserving vital rail services that connect these communities.
· The Heart of Germantown: Discovering the Urban Village Historic District– A presentation exploring the newly created Germantown Urban Village Historic District, which centers on the area surrounding the circa 1704 Market Square in central Germantown
· Venetian Club – A celebration of the Venetian Social Club’s 100th anniversary, honoring its century-long legacy as a community cornerstone in Chestnut Hill. Founded by Italian immigrants, the club has played a vital role in preserving traditions, fostering friendship, and contributing to the neighborhood’s unique history.
“Every year, we look forward to our beloved Night of Lights Germantown Avenue streetscape exhibition,” said Conservancy Executive Director Lori Salganicoff. “This seventh Night of Lights will reveal otherwise hidden layers of history. The Conservancy is excited by new features and thrilled to collaborate with Historic Germantown and Springfield Township Historical Society again to showcase their archival materials. We can’t wait to transform Chestnut Hill’s vibrant commercial corridor with archival and modern images, colorful lights, and a rich diversity of fascinating stories.”
In addition to the Conservancy’s Lead Sponsor, Chubb, General Sponsors, and members, Night of Lights event sponsors include Projection Sponsors: Chubb, Chestnut Hill Hotel, George Woodward Co., Kurtz Construction, MIS Capital, The Sivel Group, Bowman Properties, and Electrical Wizardry, Presenting Sponsors: Ace Hardware Home Services, Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Mid Atlantic FX, and Robertson’s Flowers & Events, and Supporting Sponsors, Chestnut Hill Business District, Garden State Tile, Chestnut Hill College, and Heiler Painting. Night of Lights is also possible through the support and partnership of many local businesses and organizations, including the office of Councilperson Cindy Bass’ Office, the City of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, and is proudly partnered with DesignPhiladelphia and Ar
Thanks to the sponsors and event partners, this event is open to the public and free to attend. The Conservancy’s Night of Lights provides an accessible and exciting way to learn about the area’s history, vitality, and past and future stewardship while enjoying all that Germantown Avenue has to offer. For more information on Night of Lights, click here.
ABOUT THE CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY
The Chestnut Hill Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the historical, architectural, and cultural resources and the open spaces that define the character of Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities in the Wissahickon watershed. Founded over 55 years ago to protect and celebrate the area’s historic architecture, since 1990, it has protected over 105 acres of land through its easement program as the nation’s first urban accredited land trust. The Conservancy houses a professionally maintained archive with over 52,000 items accessible to the public and engages the community through educational programs, advocacy, and events. The organization has also documented thousands of structures, contributing to Chestnut Hill’s designation as a National Historic District. Open Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm and Saturday 11 am – 4 pm. 8708 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 | 215-247-9329 | https://chconservancy.org/