by Alex Bartlett Last spring, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy held its first of two programs on the history of railroads in Chestnut Hill. The focus of the spring program was the history of SEPTA’s Chestnut Hill East line and consisted of a walking tour, highlighting the history and architecture of buildings and landscapes along the […]
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by Kevin Hughes and Alex Bartlett For nearly a century, Friends of the Wissahickon has worked tirelessly to protect, care for and restore the urban oasis we know as the Wissahickon Valley Park. Founded in 1924, FOW is a 2,500-member nonprofit organization that works in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to restore historic park […]
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by Kevin Hughes Look around Chestnut Hill and you will undoubtedly notice a common theme: beautiful, architecturally-significant buildings framed by stately, manicured lawns. In fact, it’s kind of Chestnut Hill’s “thing.” But, walk around one of these lawns in the spring and summer and you may notice that aside from an aesthetically-pleasing view, lawns do […]
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by Leah Silverstein On Friday, Oct. 4, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy is presenting the third annual Night of Lights. Designed to immerse visitors in the ongoing story of Chestnut Hill, this innovative public art exhibit will transform Germantown Avenue into an interactive exhibit of local history and architecture. Using the commercial corridor as a canvas […]
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by Lori Salganicoff This week, we are diving into the Conservancy’s Archives to bring you some of the proud history of the nation’s oldest country club. Chestnut Hill first became a destination for leisure activities because of its elevation, cool breezes, countryside, and the natural beauty of the Wissahickon gorge. English hosiery weavers living in […]
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by Alex Bartlett In 2007, the Chestnut Hill Conservancy (then the Chestnut Hill Historical Society) received an invaluable donation by the Chestnut Hill Local of a collection of thousands of photographs taken by Local staff members for publication in the community newspaper. Since then, volunteers and staff of the conservancy have been cataloging the collection, […]
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by Peter Saylor, FAIA Recognized as a National Historic District, Chestnut Hill has been described by David Contosta and Carol Franklin in their book, “Metropolitan Paradise,” as an assemblage of “delectable details” formed by a sympathetic bond responding to original land forms, connecting fabric of forest vegetation, natural materials, and an astonishing variety of housing […]
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by Alex Bartlett, Archivist, Chestnut Hill Conservancy As the month of June draws to a close, it is signal for many that summer has arrived. Many will travel “down the Shore” to enjoy the waves of the ocean and a cool breeze. Some will turn their attention to other summer activities, including making their way […]
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by Kevin Hughes Chestnut Hill is one of the region’s most beautiful and architecturally distinguished communities. Flanked by the spectacular Wissahickon Gorge and Cresheim Valley, it began as a rural farming and milling community in the early 1700s and became the site of one of the first planned suburban communities in the 19th century. With […]
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by Shirley Hanson, Chestnut Hill Conservancy A few weeks ago, a three-bedroom stone house on Navajo Street sold for “close to the highest dollar per square foot in Chestnut Hill.” There was demand: Nearly 20 showings over the course of four days resulted in six families placing offers. I talked with Troy Brady, who, with […]
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