Commission News
A note from Cheltenham Township:
"As of noon December 30 2021, all Cheltenham Township buildings and facilities (with the exception of the Waverly Road Compost Facility) are closed to the public. This closure is to protect the public and our staff members from the rapidly spreading COVID-19 virus. The closure will be re-evaluated at the end of January 2022.
Township staff will maintain continuity of services; business will continue to be conducted by appointment via phone calls and Zoom. If you need an appointment, please contact the specific department, and they will arrange a virtual meeting.
The Township switchboard will remain open for calls and can be reached at 215-887-1000."
As the Richard Wall House is a township building, it will be closed to tours at least until January 31st, 2022.
|
|
A Moment in History
Times Chronicle, January 26, 1928
MISS HEACOCK CELEBRATED 90TH BIRTHDAY
Miss Annie Heacock, of Wyncote, celebrated her 90th birthday on Monday, January 10th. Miss Heacock is one of the oldest inhabitants of this section and has been an educator all her life. She taught in local public schools, in the Friends Central School, in a school for the colored children at Port Royal Island, S.C. during the Civil War, and with her sister-in-law founded the Chelten Hills School in Wyncote, a very successful boarding and day school for boys and girls for over twenty-five years. She witnessed the raising of the Union Flag at Ft. Sumter after the war. Famous as a teacher, Miss Heacock is perhaps even better known as a suffragist. She worked for the cause of Woman Suffrage from its beginning, being active in committees, and working to enlist sympathizers until victory was won. In the Suffrage parades she always held a prominent place. Her brother, the late Senator Joseph Heacock, introduced the Suffrage Bill in the Pennsylvania Senate.
Editor’s note: Happy Birthday Miss Heacock! To learn more about Annie Heacock, her Chelten Hills School, and the illustrious Heacock family of Cheltenham, be sure to see the new Heacock exhibit at the Richard Wall House Museum.
|
|
Upcoming Historical Commission Meeting
The next meeting of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission will be January 13th at 7:30 PM via Zoom. Here is the agenda.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89838841307?pwd=OFRvR0g1K1F3SnRLc2RkbExpN05Cdz09
- Meeting ID: 898 3884 1307
- Passcode: 484769
|
|
DVDs for Sale
Longtime friend of the Historical Commission, Patricia Miller, is selling a DVD about the Elkins Estate: "A Story of the Dominican Retreat Property and Tyler School of Art in Cheltenham Township." Copies are $20 each. Please contact Patricia Miller, mpatmaida7@aol.com, 215-436-7449 to order copies. Proceeds are shared with Patricia and the Historical Commission.
|
|
Northeast Philadelphia History Network
Frankford Creek: The Sad History of an Urban Watershed
 
Wednesday, January 5, 7:00 p.m.
Frankford Creek begins near I and Ramona Streets in the city's Juniata Park neighborhood, where the Tacony Creek combines with the Wingohocking Creek (now the Wingohocking Sewer) to form the Frankford. Rock Run, which flowed into the Tacony, and Little Tacony Creek, which once flowed along Torresdale Avenue into the Frankford, are two other tributaries in this watershed that were buried in sewers as the city expanded in the 19th and 20th centuries. Sewage and industrial wastes once grossly polluted the creek, and a series of floods in the 1930s led to a ten-year flood control project, beginning in 1947, to straighten and channelize the stream.
If there is any example in Philadelphia that shows all the ways that it’s possible to mistreat an urban stream, Frankford Creek is it. Adam Levine, Historical Consultant for the Philadelphia Water Department, will give an illustrated lecture demonstrating the many ways this was accomplished.
Due to continuing Covid concerns, Adam’s presentation will be virtual only. We are hoping to resume live presentations at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse - hybrid, with a zoom option - in the near future.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84793446135?pwd=cjVvVXVFZkZXTFFPMk0rN3VTeFZTUT09
Meeting ID: 847 9344 6135
Passcode: 716057
Note: You Tube video recording of the NEPHN Byberry Friends at a Crossroads presentation on November 3, 2021 is viewable at https://youtu.be/p64Y2i8RYYw
|
|
The Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum
The Civil War in Story & Song
(Prerecorded)
Pennsylvania Balladeer Charlie Zahm takes us through 4 long years of Civil War through song and story, poems and reflections that illustrate the human experience---both on the battlefield and at the home front---during this most tumultuous time. The arts always reflect the personal side of tragedy and triumph, a window into the souls of those who lived it. Charlie shares with us some of his favorite selections from both North and South in this prerecorded session.
Make note of the passcode and then select this link to view the video:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/UOnhPbju7pWLKPOZQde6n9hqzOFoakB_MZlWxm7N1xSfMtqcjrVD3txwoHF8Wpye.NwvaZdhP6ptTt15i
Passcode: EhOB?8Sw
Our regular Zoom programs will resume in February 2022.
Note: You Tube video recording of the NEPHN Byberry Friends at a Crossroads presentation on November 3, 2021 is viewable at https://youtu.be/p64Y2i8RYYw
|
|
A Publication of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission
The fall 2021 publication of The Wall Paper is now available - click here. Back issues of The Wall Paper are available on the Cheltenham Township website. The edition features:
- The Richard Wall House Museum Is Back
- Chairman's Chatter
- Our Legacy Visitors
- Upcoming Events
- A Moment in History
|
|
Note: Cheltenham Township has once again temporarily closed all township buildings due to COVID. The Richard Wall House will NOT be open in January of 2022 as a result.
The Richard Wall House is open on the fourth Sunday of every month and upon request. To arrange for a tour, either private or for a group, either call the Township at 215-887-1000, ext. 227 during business hours, or send an email to wallhouse@cheltenham-township.org.
Learn more about the Wall House on the Cheltenham Township website.
Friends of the Wall House
Be a Friend of the Wall House and help preserve the rich history of Cheltenham Township. The suggested donation levels are:
- Benefactor: $100
- Sponsor: $50
- Patron: $20
Jack Washington Memorial Fund
In honor of the late Jack Washington, longtime Historical Commission member and chair, the Historical Commission created the Jack Washington Gallery in the Richard Wall House. This gallery serves as a starting point for the local history of Cheltenham Township. We are accepting donations to help pay for the new exhibits.
Send Donations
Mail a piece of paper with your name, address, email address, and "Friend of the Wall House" or "Jack Washington Fund" written on it, along with your check made payable to "Cheltenham Township Historical Commission" to:
Cheltenham Township Historical Commission
c/o Cheltenham Township
8230 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027-1589
|
|
|
|
|
|
