October Newsletter

What’s your favorite treasured place in Chestnut Hill?

View the thirty treasures already chosen by you and your neighbors for the Architectural Hall of Fame to see the company this year’s inductees will be keeping.

Residential Finalists

•    Rex House – 8840 Germantown Avenue (1750, 1801; Jacob Scheetz)
•    East Benezet Street Twins, Unit Block “Worker Housing” – Benezet Street (1817-1910; Duhring, Okie & Ziegler, Architects)
•    8003 Navajo Street – Navajo Street (1924; Robert R. McGoodwin, Architect)
•    Dorothy Shipley White House – 717 Glengarry Road (1963; Romaldo Guirgola, Architect)

Institutional Finalists

•    Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill – 8700 Germantown Avenue (1852-1853; John Notman, Architect)
•    The Eldon Hotel – 156-186 Bethlehem Pike (1860; Joseph Eastburn Mitchell, Builder)
•    John Story Jenks School – 8301 Germantown Avenue (1922-1923; Irwin T. Catharine, Architect)

Commercial and Public Finalists

•    Blum’s Antiques – 45 E Chestnut Hill Avenue (1870, 1925; Charles Taylor, Builder)
•    St. Martins Station – 311 W Springfield Avenue (1884; Washington Bleddyn Powell, Architect)
•    Streeper’s Pharmacy – 8532 Germantown Avenue (1892; George Pearson, Architect)

The voting will be open from now until Friday, November 15. The inductees will be revealed at our Preservation Party on Tuesday, December 3.

Preservation Party

Join us for an evening that honors the dedicated stewardship behind Chestnut Hill’s architectural heritage at the Preservation Party on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 PM, where the Conservancy’s Preservation Awards merge with the Chestnut Hill Architectural Hall of Fame to celebrate the community’s finest preservation projects and treasured landmarks.

Enjoy an Italian buffet dinner with wine and beer as we recognize our 2024 Preservation Award Winners and Architectural Hall of Fame Inductees.

This festive evening will be a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow preservation enthusiasts, learn about the stories behind our honorees, and celebrate the legacy of Chestnut Hill’s architectural and cultural heritage.

Details:

•    Date: Tuesday, December 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
•    Location: Venetian Club, 8030 Germantown Avenue
•    Tickets: $45 per person – includes Italian dinner and drinks

Tickets are available now for this memorable event, which honors the places and people dedicated to preserving Chestnut Hill’s character.

In addition to our Lead Sponsor, Chubb, and our General Sponsors, and members, the Preservation Party is made possible by the support of our event sponsor, Kurtz Construction Company, and our supporting event sponsor, Harth Builders. For additional opportunities for organizations and businesses to sponsor the various award categories, please reach out to Ashley Maass, Development Manager, at Ashley@CHConservancy.Org to learn more.

Explore Insights from Recent Ask the Experts Sessions: Recordings Now Available! 

We’re excited to share recordings from our recent Ask the Experts sessions, Recycled Landscapes with Hans Hesselein and Martha Keen of Apiary Studio, and Case Studies in Restoration and Loss Prevention with Kate MacDougall of Chubb and Shawn Swanson of Pinemar. Whether you attended or couldn’t make it, we hope you’ll find these discussions valuable!

For Case Studies in Restoration and Loss Prevention, Kate and Shawn took us through the unique challenges of insuring and renovating historic homes. They shared essential tips on working with trusted contractors, preserving original architectural features, and incorporating sustainable upgrades. For historic homeowners, renovation means more than just maintaining a property—it’s about honoring history while preparing for the future.

These free public programs are made possible thanks to Lead Sponsor Chubb, along with our General Sponsors, our members, and the Ask the Experts event sponsor, Harth Builders, and the supporting sponsor, Wallace Landscape Associates. It is done in collaboration with the Chestnut Hill Community Association.

If you’d like to watch or revisit these engaging sessions, please visit our YouTube Channel for the recordings.

Night of Lights!

Thank you to everyone who came out for our opening night on Friday, October 4, for the seventh annual Night of Lights! We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Special thanks goes to all of our incredible sponsors and volunteers who made the event possible, as well as to the Night of Lights Committee and our dedicated slideshow creators who brought the Wissahickon watershed’s history to life in such a beautiful way.

We also want to thank our partner archives, including Historic Germantown and the Springfield Township Historical Society, for contributing to the rich storytelling throughout the evening.

Missed the event or want to relive the experience? Be sure to visit our website to view photos from the event! We will be adding this year’s Night of Lights slideshows to our YouTube channel next month, but in the meantime, you can explore previous years’ slideshows as part of our History at Home series.

If you’d like to see more historical images like those used for Night of Lights, remember that our archives are always open to you! The Conservancy maintains a rapidly growing, professionally managed collection of architectural drawings, photos, deeds, diaries, and more. Contact Alex Bartlett to schedule a research appointment or explore our online photo collection anytime.

Thank you again for helping us celebrate Chestnut Hill’s unique history and charm. We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Night of Lights!

From the Archives

Joseph DePetris worked out of a small studio near what is now the parking lot of Fresh Market on the 8200 block of Germantown Avenue.

If you know someone in the community whose story should be preserved, please reach out to our Curator and Archivist, Alex Bartlett, at Alex@CHConservancy.Org.

Gifts to the Lori Salganicoff Stewardship Fund will directly support the organization’s work to advocate for a culture of stewardship through conservation, preservation, and the Archives.

• •  Energizing This Green Old House: Retrofitting the Conservancy’s historic building to improve energy efficiency while preserving architectural integrity and serving as an educational tool and demonstration project for the public. Projects may include window repair, insulation, improved building systems, stormwater management, and more.
  • Expanding the Archives: Support the space planning and growth of the Conservancy’s Archives as it continues to collect and share diverse local histories.
  • Growing the Native Plant Garden: Enhance the Conservancy’s existing Native Plant Garden to improve water retention and diminish stormwater damage to the building and the watershed. Projects may include planting new natives, sustainable garden management, and educational signage and demonstration.

Please join us in honoring Lori as a tireless champion for protecting, preserving, and celebrating Chestnut Hill and surrounding communities in the Wissahickon watershed.

If you have any questions, please contact the Conservancy’s Development Manager, Ashley Maass, at Ashley@CHConservancy.Org.

Conserving Water During Philadelphia’s Drought

With Philadelphia facing dry conditions, the need for water conservation and smart rainwater management is pressing. The Chestnut Hill Conservancy offers some engaging resources to help residents make a difference, year round.

• • Ask The Experts: Residential Rainwater Management Systems
    In this session, Hap Haven, a nationally recognized sustainability expert, discusses the implementation of residential rainwater management systems. Haven brings over 40 years of hands-on experience to the presentation. Pictured is a rain barrel connected to a trellice down spout. View the recording HERE.

• • Ask the Experts: Landscape Tools to Protect Our Watershed
    Beth Anne Lutes and Tim Linehan from the Philadelphia Water Department, along with homeowner Sarah Andrews, explore landscape practices that safeguard our watershed. View the recording HERE.
  • Ask the Experts Watersheds & Waterways
    Deputy Commissioner Glen Abrams of the Philadelphia Water Department shares insights into the department’s innovations, including the Green City, Clean Waters program and climate adaptation initiatives. View the recording HERE.
  • History at Home: History of Water Use in Northwest Philadelphia
    Developed by Drew Brown, this presentation delves into the historical context of water use in Northwest Philadelphia, featuring images from the Philadelphia Water Department. View the recording HERE.

SEPTA CEO Leslie Richards called these possible cuts “devastating” at a recent Senate Transportation Committee hearing.

So what’s the holdup? According to Spotlight PA, transit funding is caught up in a disagreement over taxing and regulating convenience store “skill games.”

Save the Train Coalition members recently published an op-ed in the Chestnut Hill Local calling on Gov. Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker to step in. With limited time left, your voice can still make a difference. Please consider calling our leaders to prevent these catastrophic cuts:

Key Contacts:

• • Gov. Josh Shapiro: 717-787-2500
  • Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman: 717-787-8724
  • Republican State Sen. Wayne Langerholc, Chair of the Transportation Committee:
    • Harrisburg: 717-787-5400
    • Johnstown: 814-266-2277
    • State College: 814-806-1197
    • Clearfield: 814-765-0555

Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to call, too – and if you’re interested in volunteering with us to spread awareness around Pennsylvania, reach out to Bob Previdi at RobertWPrevidi@Gmail.Com.

In the News

• • • October 31 – Chestnut Hill Local, “More testimony but no zoning vote on Greylock” (PDF)
    • October 31 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Hall of Fame voting is open” (PDF)
    • October 10 – Chestnut Hill Local, “‘Night of Lights’ on the Avenue” (PDF)
    • October 5 – CBS3, News at 7am
    • October 4 – PHL17, “This weekend in Philly: October 5 and 6 🎃 🍂👻”
    • October 4 – CBS News, “Chestnut Hill Conservancy holds “Night of Lights” kickoff party”
    • October 4 – CBS3, News at 9am
    • October 3 – Q102, Radio Show
    • October 2 – Axios Philadelphia, “Philadelphia weekender: Simone Biles, Out & About and GOAToberFest”
    • October 2 – Metro Philadelphia, “Fun fall things to do in Philly this weekend”
    • October 2 – MSN, “Fun fall things to do in Philly this weekend”
    • October 1 – The Times Herald, “Chestnut Hill Conservancy announces return of ‘Night of Lights’ streetscape exhibit”
    • October 1 – Where Philly, “Chestnut Hill Conservancy to Illuminate Germantown Avenue with 7th Annual Night of Lights”
    • September 30 – Visit Philadelphia, “Things to Do in Philadelphia This Week & Weekend”
    • September 30 – The Philadelphia Citizen, “Fun Things to do in Philly This Weekn and Weekend”
    • September 30 – Philadelphia Magazine, “187 Things to Do in Philly This Week and Weekend”
    • September 30 – Dosage Magazine, “Night of Lights 2024”
    • September 25 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Conservancy’s Night of Lights returns” (PDF)
    • September 21 – Chestnut Hill Local, “It’s time to get out and Explore!” (PDF)
    • September 21 – Chestnut Hill Local, “November Events” (PDF)
    • September 21 – Chestnut Hill Local, “October Events” (PDF)
    • September 16 – Philadelphia Rowhome Magazine’s Blog, “The Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s 7th Annual Night of Lights Returns to Germantown Avenue!”
    • September 13 – Metro Philadelphia, “Chestnut Hill lights up with art events this season”
    • September 5 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Announcing a new Conservancy board member” (PDF)
    • September 4 – Chestnut Hill Local, ” Another zoning delay and more questions for Greylock” (PDF)
    • August 29 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Conservation easements protect the Wissahickon Watershed” (PDF)
    • August 22 – Chestnut Hill Local, “A long fight over Watershed rules pits old maps against new ones” (PDF)
    • August 22 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Prolific Hill professor pens fictional ‘Climate Change’” (PDF)
    • August 21 – Chestnut Hill Local, “New Chestnut Hill RCO for housing and pedestrian safety” (PDF)
    • August 15 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Another Royal Rummage sale celebrates Hill history” (PDF)
    • August 8 – Chestnut Hill Local, “Conservancy is an essential resource” (PDF)

Upcoming Events

• • • Saturday, November 23 – Circle of Trees, click HERE to learn more
    • Tuesday, December 3 – Preservation Party, click HERE to learn more

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.

2024 GENERAL SPONSORS

2024 PROGRAM SPONSORS

2024 NIGHT OF LIGHT SPONSORS

PROJECTION SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

2024 PRESERVATION PARTY SPONSORS

EVENT SPONSOR

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

Great architecture is in our nature.

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