If you'd like a chance to see a really unique historic site in southwest Philadelphia that was not obliterated during the past 200 years, come to Bartram's Garden at 54th and Lindbergh this Saturday for our annual Holiday Greens Sale and Open House. Wreaths and loose greens are available for purchase, kids can make ornaments (free), and there are free house tours as well. It is Saturday the 4th from 10am to 4pm.
Bartram's Garden is the home of John Bartram who founded North America's earliest botanical garden. His house, a National Historic Landmark constructed in 1731, and garden are part of Fairmount Park and are operated by the non-profit John Bartram Association. The greens for the Holiday Sale are displayed in Philadelphia County's oldest surviving barn. Even in the winter, the gardens are great...lovely views of the Schuylkill and the skyline. Hope some of you can stop by. It's really another world over here, tucked behind the petroleum refineries, iron works, and paint plants. Free parking and we're on the Route 36 Trolley line. Alison McDowell Membership Associate Bartram's Garden 54th and Lindbergh Boulevard Philadelphia, PA 19143 215-729-5281 ext. 103 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Daniel Flaumenhaft Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 1:10 PM To: Univcity Subject: [UC] local history (was another idea from California) > Vast areas of West Philadelphia were in fact still farms the Civil War > era, from Samuel Powell's estate (i.e. Powelton Avenue) to Clark park. > Independent Townships, such as Kingsessing, Hamilton Village, > Blockley made up the area prior to 1854. Philadelphia county became > the City of Philadelphia in 1854 with the passage of the "City County > Consolidation act." [The Consolidation Act (P.L. 21, February 2, > 1854)] Originally, there were two townships in what's now West Philly, Kingsessing to the south and west and Blockley to the north and east. (The border was, more or less, Mill Creek). Strips along Market, Lancaster, and Woodland became urbanized pretty soon after the Market Street Bridge was built in the 1800 and the part of Blockley between Girard, Mill Creek, Woodland, and the Schuylkill became the "Borough (later District) of West Philadelphia," which had thousands of residents by the time of consolidation in 1854. Hamilton Village was a subdivision in Blockley Township which later became the Hamilton ward of West Philadelphia Borough. There were a number of small, unincorporated villages in Blockey and Kingsessing as well. In any case, very few buildings in West and Southwest Philly predate consolidation. The areas that were densely built up that early have been pretty much obliterated by the universities, the science center, and later commercial development, and most of the rural buildings were demolished by 19th and early 20th century housing developers. > A quick study on the history can be found at the UCHS website: > http://www.uchs.net/ > > "Rosenthal's History of University City." This is generally good as an outline, but has many errors of detail. The other thing to keep in mind is that until just before Rosenthal wrote that book in 1963, University City (which for him ends at 44th Street) didn't exist. It's as if he had written a history of the United States since 1400 in 1776 -- a serious conceptual problem. Unfortunately, there isn't anything much better. Matt Grubel and I were working on a historical website history for the Penn Community Housing office about 5 years ago, but they dropped the project for reasons that I only half remember. Sklar's recent book on West Philadelphia architecture is more reliable, but (understandably) not very detailed on anything other than architecture. There's a (naturally very old-fashioned) history of West Philadelphia that was published about 100 years ago, if you can find a copy, It's about as accurate as Rosenthal and the conceptual problems are much more subtle (which is not necessarily a good thing). Daniel ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
