FEBRUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER
Upcoming Programs – Virtual and In Person!
Upcoming Programs
NEW! Living Among Landmarks:
The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill
Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted Historic Site
A Conversation and Exhibit
Wednesday, April 6 at 7pm
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy Middle School
8000 Cherokee Street
2022 is the bicentennial of Frederick Law Olmsted—a leading cultural figure of his time and founder of the profession of landscape architecture as we know it and as it is practiced today.
Olmsted’s personal career and the practice that was his legacy flourished for more than one hundred years. He and his successors worked in virtually every state and large city in America. In Philadelphia and surrounding communities the firm secured commissions for nearly two hundred projects. At least forty of these were for clients in Chestnut Hill. Beginning in 1897, this work spanned forty years.
April 26, 2022 is Olmsted’s 200th birthday. As part of the national celebration, Chestnut Hill Conservancy will host an evening symposium, “Living among Landmarks: The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill,” featuring a conversation among current-day owners of homesteads and gardens designed by his successors in the firm of Olmsted Brothers, Landscape Architects. Olmsted biographer Witold Rybczynski will introduce the program. Before and after his remarks and the panel discussion, the audience will have access to a pin-up display of photos and plans of all the known projects from the Olmsted Brothers’ decades of involvement in Chestnut Hill.
Please note: this is an in-person event. Attendees will be asked to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask during the event. If the city changes its Covid restrictions, it may be switched to a virtual format.
Tickets: $10 members/$20 non-members
Discovering Chestnut Hill Virtual Lecture
Recasting the Victorian Suburb: Two Young Architects at Work in Germantown and Chestnut Hill in the 1880s
Thursday, February 24 at 7pm
Virtual
This illustrated talk by Jeffrey Cohen will illuminate recent research exploring Wilson Eyre’s beginnings with the architect James Peacock Sims. Cohen teaches architectural history at Bryn Mawr College. His previous research has focused on 19th century streetscapes and on architects with significant contributions to Philadelphia’s legacy including Benjamin Latrobe, Frank Furness, and Wilson Eyre, architect of several beloved Chestnut Hill houses including The Anglecot.
This popular series of guided tours and lectures invites you to explore the architecture, history, and natural beauty of our urban village. Conservancy Members save on tickets.
Tickets: $10 members/$20 non-members
Zoom link will be sent the day of the event.
Ask the Experts Program
Garden Friends & Foes: Integrated Pest Management for your Garden Challenges
Wednesday, March 16 at 7pm
Virtual
As gardening season draws near, landscape designer Christopher Sohnly will discuss means of managing your home garden in harmony with nature. His firm Spruce Hollow, LLC, is a full-service landscape design company in Mt. Airy providing garden design, installation, and maintenance.
A free program to the community, Ask the Experts addresses a featured topic by an expert on prevalent issues relating to historic home and landscape care. Ask questions; get solutions! Organized by the Chestnut Hill Conservancy and co-sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Community Association.
Free, registration required to receive zoom link on the day of the event.
  • February 24 – Discovering Chestnut Hill virtual Lecture “Recasting the Victorian Suburb” 7:00pm. Purchase tickets HERE.
  • March 16 – Ask the Experts virtual Program “Garden Friends & Foes” 6:00pm. Register HERE.
  • April 6 – In-person conversation and exhibit “Living Among Landmarks: The Olmsted Legacy in Chestnut Hill” 7:00pm. Purchase tickets HERE.
Thank You!
Sponsors and supporters are community champions. Your support now will continue our work
in the coming year!
2022 CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY LEAD SPONSOR
2022 CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY GENERAL SPONSORS
2022 CHESTNUT HILL CONSERVANCY PROGRAM SPONSORS
Were you forwarded this email?
Sign up to get Conservancy updates sent to your inbox!
Always feel free to contact us with any questions about the Conservancy, our
programs and events, or your membership at info@chconservancy.org
Chestnut Hill Conservancy | 8708 Germantown AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19118