The Woodward family on October 9, 1944. A young George Woodward III, seated beside his grandmother, Gertrude, with his sister Quita Woodward (Horan) on floor to right. Around them (from left to right) are Charles H. Woodward and wife Elizabeth Gadsden Woodward; Dr. George Woodward; Stanley Woodward and wife, Shirley Rutherford Woodward; and George Woodward Jr. (Photo courtesy of the Stanley Woodward collection.)[/caption]

by Pete Mazzaccaro

Chestnut Hill is a neighborhood noted for its preservation. It has an unrivaled stock of historic homes and institutions that make it one of the most desirable places to live in the region.

But what made Chestnut Hill what it is today? Many would argue that much of what makes Chestnut Hill Chestnut Hill was put in motion by the Woodward and Houston families, who not only created the first planned residential developments in the neighborhood, but also kick-started some of its most important institutions – Chestnut Hill Academy, the Church of St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

In recognition of those contributions, a group was formed to hold a weeklong party in celebration of the accomplishments of the Woodwards and Houstons. Known as “The Woodward Celebration 2016,” the event will begin on Wednesday, June 8, and run through Sunday, June 12. It will feature more than a dozen events in Chestnut Hill marking the contributions the families have made to the neighborhood.

“The Houston-Woodward family played a pivotal role in shaping not only the Chestnut Hill landscape but also the community spirit,” said Will Detweiler, chairman of the Celebration Committee and former president of the Chestnut Hill Community Association. “Over the span of 100 years, they have provided affordable and diverse housing options throughout the region, served as champions for the conservation of green open space and gifted Chestnut Hill with land and facilities that are not only historically significant but will play a vital role in the future of Chestnut Hill.”

The family’s legacy begins with Henry Houston, a director of the Pennsylvania Railroad who owned much of what is today Chestnut Hill. Houston brought a line of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Chestnut Hill (Chestnut Hill West) and built residential developments west of Germantown Avenue that would make Chestnut Hill the first genuine railroad suburb.

Houston’s development plans were continued by his daughter Gertrude and his son-in-law Dr. George Woodward. The family continued to build the neighborhood, donating land,, time and money that continues today. The Woodward Company is one of the largest residential rental companies in Northwest Philadelphia. This year it finalized the donation of a 41-acre open space easement to Chestnut Hill.

“Chestnut Hill is a unique community where civic pride, engagement and caring stand at the core of its mission,” said community advocate Charles Woodward, great-grandson of George and Gertrude Woodward, grandson of Charles H. and Elizabeth Woodward, son of Quita Woodward Horan. “My family has long valued the strong commitment to the preservation of the land, infrastructure and architecture that make up this exceptional neighborhood.

“Chestnut Hill is rich with history, design and green space – that is what makes this community sustainable and desirable. On behalf of my family, we are honored to call Chestnut Hill home and to be able to contribute to its flourishing spirit.”

Central to the week-long celebration, Detweiler’s committee will begin a capital campaign to restore and maintain the Chestnut Hill Community Centre, a more than 100-year-old building at 8419 Germantown Ave that was given to the community by Gertrude Woodward in 1916.

The Community Centre, formerly the home of The Happy Butterfly and still home to Bird in Hand will be formally dedicated to Gertrude Woodward and renamed The Woodward Community Centre. A large meeting room will be named The Quita Woodward Horan Gathering Center in recognition of Horan’s remarkable generosity to the community for several decades.

In addition to recognizing the Woodward family’s local accomplishments, several dignitaries from Charleston, S.C., including the city’s popular former mayor Joe Riley, will travel to Chestnut Hill for the event. Charleston was a favorite summer retreat for the family, and the home of Elizabeth Gadsden Woodward. The family made significant contributions to the city’s historic preservation community in the form of direct support to the Historic Charleston Foundation and The Charleston Museum among others.

“The Woodward Family is a true friend to Charleston,” Riley said. “They have left a legacy of good work throughout our community. Their generosity and vision will have a lasting impact on our city as it undoubtedly will also have on Philadelphia.”

Riley will be joined by Kitty Robinson, president and CEO of the Historic Charleston Foundation.

The Woodward Celebration 2016 is led by a planning committee comprised of the Chestnut Hill Community Association, the Chestnut Hill Historical Society and the Chestnut Hill Business District, as well as individual community members of Chestnut Hill. Celebration contributors include Chestnut Hill College, the Chestnut Hill Hotel, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Woodmere Art Museum. For more information on The Woodward Celebration visit www.woodwardcommunitycentre.org or call 215-621-7064.

All proceeds from The Woodward Celebration 2016 and contributions to the capital campaign will go to the Chestnut Hill Community Centre, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and earmarked solely for the preservation, restoration and maintenance of the building under the direction of John Milner, a noted architect who specializes in historic renovations.