The Chestnut Hill Conservancy will celebrate architectural excellence and preservation at its first Preservation Party on Dec. 3 at the historic Venetian Social Club on Germantown Avenue, marking a new chapter in the organization's 55-year history of protecting the area's architectural heritage.
“We’re thrilled to honor these projects and share the joy of preservation with our neighbors,” said CHC executive director Lori Salganicoff, adding that the venue – another one of Chestnut Hill’s historic institutions – is celebrating its centennial year. "This event exemplifies the stewardship and passion of our community to preserve what makes Chestnut Hill so unique.”
The highlight of the evening will be the announcement of new inductees to the Chestnut Hill Architectural Hall of Fame, properties that will join 30 landmarks previously recognized for architectural excellence and historical significance. The prospective inductees, selected through popular vote, represent the community's most treasured buildings, structures and landscapes.
Once again, this year’s nominations reflect the diversity of Chestnut Hill's architectural heritage, which spans residential, institutional and commercial properties. Each property tells a unique story of the architectural evolution of the neighborhood and the community's commitment to preservation.
Residential
In the residential category, the Rex House at 8840 Germantown Ave. stands as one of the avenue's earliest surviving structures. Built around 1750 in Federal style, the house evolved through additions in 1801 and 1920, reflecting generations of change in American architecture and living patterns.
The East Benezet Street Twins exemplify the transformation of early 19th-century worker housing. Between 1909 and 1910, under Dr. George Woodward's innovative vision, these structures were converted into twin homes with designs by the renowned architectural firm of Duhring, Okie & Ziegler, showcasing early 20th-century adaptation of historic structures.
The property at 8003 Navajo St. represents another facet of Woodward's influence on Chestnut Hill. Designed in 1924 by Robert R. McGoodwin in Cotswold style, this house forms part of Woodward's historic developments near Pastorius Park, demonstrating the early 20th-century embrace of European architectural influences.
The Dorothy Shipley White House on Glengarry Road brings modernist innovation to the nominations. Romaldo Giurgola's 1963 International Style design, recently rehabilitated and expanded, shows how historic preservation can embrace mid-century modern architecture while maintaining character-defining features.
Institutional
Institutional nominees are standout examples of the community's religious and educational heritage.
The former Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill at 8700 Germantown Ave. (now Chestnut Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church), designed by John Notman in 1852, demonstrates the evolution of religious spaces through multiple congregations.
The John Story Jenks School, opened in 1924, represents nearly a century of educational architecture and community service.
The Fairview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, formerly the Eldon Hotel on Bethlehem Pike, showcases successful adaptive reuse. This Gothic Revival villa's transformation from summer hotel to healthcare facility demonstrates how historic structures can meet changing community needs.
Commercial
Commercial nominees feature the ongoing architectural transformation of familiar places of business.
Blum's Antiques, operating from an 1870 barn at 45 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., has served three generations of the Blum family, preserving both architectural and business heritage.
St. Martins Station, designed by Washington Bleddyn Powell in 1884, represents successful community-driven railroad architecture preservation. The Tudor-style building at 8532 Germantown Ave., built in 1892, demonstrates the adaptability of historic commercial spaces through various business iterations.
In addition to announcing its inductees to the Hall of Fame, the Conservancy will also unveil the winners of its Preservation Recognition Award – which identifies projects that show exceptional innovation in historic preservation.
They include the Light up the Tower initiative for the preservation of the Chestnut Hill Water Tower, which demonstrates early-stage organizational excellence in site stewardship; the preservation of the Hirst-Duhring House, which exemplifies effective community action; the restoration of Historic RittenhouseTown's Homestead and Bake House, which demonstrates exemplary stewardship by an established organization; and the restoration of a Wisshickson Park trail arch. In addition, three private houses will be honored for specific renovation projects.
As the nation's first urban accredited land trust, the Conservancy has protected more than 105 acres through its easement program since 1990. Its archive of more than 52,000 items serves researchers and community members, documenting the architectural heritage that earned the neighborhood’s National Historic District designation.
The party, set for 6-8 p.m. at 8030 Germantown Ave., includes an Italian buffet dinner from From the Boot with wine and beer. Tickets are $45.
"We chose an affordable ticket point to share the joy of preservation with our neighbors," Salganicoff says.
Due to limited seating, early registration is encouraged at chconservancy.org.
