Chestnut Hill Conservancy announces 2023 Hall of Fame winners

Posted 6/8/23

Five buildings, structures and landscapes were inducted into the Chestnut Hill Architectural Hall of Fame.

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Chestnut Hill Conservancy announces 2023 Hall of Fame winners

Posted

A distinguished list of five beloved and significant buildings, structures and landscapes was inducted into the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s Chestnut Hill Architectural Hall of Fame at the organization’s annual fundraising gala on June 3. Four were chosen by public vote and the Conservancy’s Preservation Committee selected a fifth property.

The 2023 inductees are, from oldest to youngest, Casey's Ice House (1843, 1913, 1924), Our Mother of Consolation Complex (from 1855 to 1916), Mermaid Inn (1913), Valley Green Inn (1850, 1937), and Pastorius Park (1937). The 2023 inductees join 25 already chosen by thousands of public votes to join the Hall of Fame.

The Architectural Hall of Fame recognizes Chestnut Hill’s most treasured buildings, structures and landscapes. These properties represent groundbreaking approaches to planning and design; are significant for their design, materials, and craftsmanship; are an exceptional example of their style; or are of historical significance because of an association with an event, a person, or by age.

"The Architectural Hall of Fame supports the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s mission to protect and manage change in the built environment by raising community awareness about its irreplaceable assets," said Lori Salganicoff, Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s executive director. "A vibrant community such as Chestnut Hill must grow and evolve without losing what makes it special.

Chestnut Hill, a National Register Historic District, is "blessed" with "outstanding examples of architecture, spanning four centuries," Salganicoff said.

"These are some of the nation’s most beautiful, green, and architecturally distinguished communities, with stunning natural landscapes that weave throughout," Salganicoff said. "It’s remarkably unusual that so much still remains here."

More than 200 people attended the Architectural Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday, which was held at the Boxly estate. A historically and environmentally significant property protected with a conservation easement, it was a perfect location for the Conservancy’s one fundraiser of the year. 

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of local landscape architect, award-winning visionary land steward, and sustainable practices advocate Robert (Rob) J. Fleming III. Rob’s passion for sustainable practices is now actively helping shape a fruitful evolution of the Conservancy’s existing conservation and preservation work. The Conservancy with Arader Tree Co., Charlie and Gene Dilks, and the Friends of Pastorius Park surprised Rob by planting a small grove of three Bur Oak trees in Pastorius Park.

The event was sponsored by Chubb, the Conservancy’s 2023 lead sponsor, along with Dennis F. Meyer Inc., MIS Capital LLC, Pure Insurance, Shechtman, Millan Architects, Friends of the Wissahickon, Bowman Properties, Merrill Nottingham, Walsh, Goodman & Associates, George Woodward Co., Kurtz Construction, Springer Capital, Tallulah & Bird, Regan Construction, and Regan Kline Cross.