In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the remarkable story of Louise Reid, a Black woman whose life exemplifies resilience and dedication. Historically, domestic work provided one of the few opportunities for Black women in the early 20th century, and in Chestnut Hill, this reality persisted.
Thanks to the diligent work of our Curator/Archivist, Liz Jarvis, and her husband, Andrew Jarvis, we have the privilege of preserving Louise Reid’s documented life story. On January 10, 1988, Andrew Jarvis recorded an oral history interview with Louise, capturing the essence of her experiences.
Click HERE to read the full article written by the Conservancy’s Tatiana Paden.
Save the Train
The Conservancy has been an active participant in the Save the Train Coalition. With the support of our sponsors, speakers, and registrants, our recent virtual Discovering Chestnut Hill “Northwest Philadelphia: Connected by Railroads” lecture with Ted Xaras on Tuesday, March 12, program proceeds will all be donated, totaling $2,000.
Additionally, Conservancy members, including our Lori Salganicoff, joined dozens of others from across Northwest Philadelphia, including Linda Bell (pictured below), on a trip to Harrisburg to advocate for public transportation.
Lori shared, “Our communities were fundamentally shaped around the train lines introduced in the 19th century. As the City increasingly encourages residential density around our public transit hubs and seeks to reduce car emissions, our train lines must also be a fundamental part of our future. They must be better funded and more frequently chosen by all of us.”
Following up on the success of our program on March 12, the Conservancy is hosting a self-guidedDiscovering Chestnut Hillwalk to three stops along the Chestnut Hill West railroad on Saturday, April 20 (rain date is Saturday, April 27) from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Chestnut Hill West, Highland, and St. Martins.
Docents will be at each station to share the station’s history and the current stewardship of the landscape. Register at the link below!
Registration is free; however, we offer a suggested donation option when registering for the event. Any contributions received will be allocated to the Save the Train campaign.
As an exciting new chapter begins for its possible reuse, a storied and historically significant part of the Germantown Avenue commercial corridor may soon be added to the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places. Almost 100 years after it was built for the Germantown Trust Company, the former Wells Fargo Bank building was nominated to the Register by the Chestnut Hill Conservancy in February.
Buildings under consideration for Historic Register listing, such as this, are provisionally protected until the Historical Commission makes a final decision. Read more about the building’s history and significance HERE.
The Conservancy is proud to have protected this historic property in 2017 and is grateful to have been working for years with the neighbor’s group, the Rex Avenue Neighbors Association (RANA), on their efficient and effective advocacy on behalf of neighbors. RANA, the How Group, and the property’s owners seem close to a resolution on the final elements of the project to adapt the historic mansion and sensitively add new housing to the adjacent open space. Read more about the project HERE and the property’s history HERE.
On Friday, April 12, the Philadelphia Historical Commission will hear and possibly decide on designating the Chestnut Hill Women’s Center as historic. This former home and doctor’s office stands as the last intact historic structure on the Hospital’s campus.
The designation of this or any building does not prohibit future alterations. Many designated buildings have received approval from the Historical Commission for significant additions that prioritize preserving the visible parts of properties from public vantage points. The Conservancy would endorse a compromise and balance that safeguards the building’s most publicly visible aspects while allowing for sensitive alterations at the rear to accommodate needs and uses.
Please save the date and register for the meeting. The link to attend the meeting will be posted on the Conservancy’s homepage when released by the Historical Commission.
Greylock Mansion, 209 West Chestnut Hill Avenue
The Conservancy is glad to share some Greylock FAQs HERE to give you a fuller understanding of efforts and constraints concerning the property’s past and future and related roles and responsibilities of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and Friends of the Wissahickon.
We encourage you to explore these FAQs to learn more about our commitment to conservation and preservation. The FAQ was crafted to describe what we can do while respecting the private nature of agreements with easement owners. That said, if you still have questions about any issues, please contact Lori Salganicoff at lori@chconservancy.org, and we will update the FAQ wherever possible.
Thank you for your continued support as we strive to preserve and protect our community’s invaluable assets.
Save the date for our Spring Gala – June 8
Join the Chestnut Hill Conservancy on Saturday, June 8, with our gracious hosts Sara Lapham and Jeff Roeseler for a gorgeous evening in Wyndmoor on the grounds of a beautiful historic Norman-style home by architect Robert Rodes McGoodwin.
This year, we will honor the remarkable Charles Dilks and recognize his decades-long commitment to conserving, preserving, and protecting our natural resources.
The Gala is our only fundraiser of the year. Benefactor tickets are available now, and patron tickets are available on the website at the end of next week. There is still time to sponsor the Gala. Please reach out to Ashley Maass, Development Manager, for more information.
Spring Programs
Get ready for an exciting lineup of spring programs with the Chestnut Hill Conservancy! From farm tours to virtual lectures, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. You never know when another program might spring up, so subscribe to our Programs and Events calendar on our website and stay tuned!
Here’s what’s coming up:
Saturday, April 6, and Saturday, April 13:Discovering Chestnut Hill “Erdenheim Farm: Centuries of Farming at the Edge of Philadelphia” at Erdenheim Farm. Join us for a special 90-minute walking tour led by Dan Lurie, Erdenheim Farm’s esteemed manager. Explore the historic Horace Trumbauer designed Sheep Barn, meet the adorable lambs, learn about chickens and composting, and discover a preservation project featuring the endangered Arapawa goat. Space is very limited for this rain-or-shine event!
Thursday, April 10: Virtual event via Zoom. Ask the Experts “SunHaven Carriage House” at 7:00 PM with Hap Haven. Join us for a fascinating journey around SunHaven, a 100-year-old stone carriage house in Germantown, where you’ll explore nine innovative rainwater management systems designed to reduce stormwater runoff.
Saturday, April 20 (rain date Saturday, April 27): Discovering Chestnut Hill “Train Stations of Chestnut Hill West.” Take a self-guided walk to Chestnut Hill West, Highland, and St. Martins train stations. Engage with knowledgeable docents stationed at each location, learn about the historical significance and current stewardship of the stations, and support the Save the Train campaign.
Join us for these captivating events and uncover the rich history, preservation initiatives, and commitment to conservation in Chestnut Hill. Don’t miss out, register today! If you have any questions, please email Chrissy Clawson.
Friends of Pastorius Park‘s first volunteer event is our Spring clean-up scheduled for Saturday, April 6, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, with Sunday, April 7 as the rain date.
Please help Chestnut Hill Tree Tenders get more residential tree applications in for the fall. Apply by Monday, April 15, to get a free street tree for your home this fall. See the link below for an online application, or contact the Chestnut Hill Community Association for a printout version by calling 215-248-8810 or emailing info@chestnuthill.org.
“It’s been an exciting few months since joining the Conservancy. We’re currently gearing up for our only fundraiser of the year, the Conservancy’s Spring Gala, on Saturday, June 8. Since January, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with volunteers, longtime friends, and partners- new and old,” said Ashley. “It’s been inspiring to hear why the Conservancy’s mission resonates with so many—whether through the Archives, preserving historical treasures, or supporting green spaces for future generations. With over 25 years of connection to this community, I’m excited to deepen relationships with those passionate about stewardship and our shared legacy.”
Tuesday, May 7, Virtual, via Zoom. Discovering Chestnut Hill “Erdenheim Farm: A Legacy of Preservation from 1862 to the present day” at 7:00 PM. Registration is coming soon!
Saturday, June 8, Spring Gala. Registration is coming soon!
Support the Conservancy
If you’re interested in volunteering for future Conservancy programs and events, contact Programs and Communications Manager Chrissy Clawson.
In addition to supporting our work, did you know that members receive special benefits like discounted admission to programs and free research in the archives? Join today!
Your support is a commitment to celebrating and sustaining the history, architecture, and open green space of Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities in the Wissahickon Watershed.
.jpg)
.png){kind=logo}
.png)
