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The Ivy Today

eNewsletter of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission

May 2023

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Commission News


Our big event for May is our presentation at Curtis Hall.

Our regular monthly Wall house open house is cancelled due to Memorial Day.
 

Events at a Glance

  • May 11th - Presentation at Curtis Hall

 

Upcoming Historical Commission Event: Local Preservation Tools in Pennsylvania


When: 7:30 PM, Thursday, May 11
Where: Curtis Hall, Wyncote

"How do we preserve this historic resource?" is a question that preservationists, communities, and local advocates struggle with every day. From the National Register of Historic Places to state enabling legislation and local ordinances, the nuts and bolts of historic preservation can be difficult to navigate. While solutions to preservation challenges can be tied to individual buildings, there are protections that communities can put in place to safeguard the older and historic places and spaces that matter to them. Join the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office’s Eastern Region Community Preservation Coordinator, Megan McNish, as she breaks down the tools for preservation in Pennsylvania.

Megan McNish is the Eastern Region Community Preservation Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a bureau of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. As the Eastern region’s community preservation coordinator, she provides technical assistance to Certified Local Governments and community preservation partners. Prior to joining the SHPO, Megan was a historic preservation planner for the City of Columbia, South Carolina where she reviewed preservation projects at the local level. A graduate of Gettysburg College, where she received her bachelor’s degree in history, and West Virginia University, where she received her master's degree in public history, Megan is passionate about helping communities find ways to preserve their historic places.

Reckoning with Enslavement Event Recap

 
 
Thank you to everyone who came out for our Reckoning with Enslavement along Old York Road presentation. Working with Penn State Abington and Abington Friends, the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission hosted the second part of the Reckoning with Enslavement along Old York Road presentation. Under a tent, Historical Commission Chair Dr. Tom Wieckowski provided an explanation about the anti-enslavement remonstrance written by Pastorius, which was first read at the Richard Wall house. While some items were easy to understand, some needed more context. For example, the then-relevant section on Turkish pirates capturing other European ships for the intention to enslaving the passengers is an item lost to history for most people. An historical interpreter, Chris Seifert, portrayed Pastorius and gave a moving reading of the remonstrance. Following the reading, the new plaque provided by Penn State Abington was unveiled. All were invited to partake in delicious catered desserts. 

Upcoming Historical Commission Meeting


The next meeting of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission will be May 11th at 6:30 PM in person at Curtis Hall (1250 Church Rd, Wyncote). Historical Commission Meetings are open to the public. Here is the agenda.

A Moment in History

 

Reading Co. Denies Charges of Blight


The Reading Co., whose trains carry some 1000 commuters from Glenside every workday, has challenged the accuracy of statements linking the railroad with parking problems and blight in a controversial redevelopment project application for Glenside.

The applications, made by Cheltenham township through the Montgomery County Redevelopment Authority, resulted in a $20,066 Federal advance for the preparation of a General Neighborhood Renewal Plan for a 100 acre tract in Glenside.

 

RESIDENTS PROTEST

Disclosure last October of the Federal Government's approval of the application caused a furor in the Cheltenham township section of Glenside. Some 300 residents demanded an immediate withdrawal of the application.

Protesting residents were incensed over reports their homes would be razed in the proposed redevelopment of the Glenside tract. They also complained real estate values would be depressed by the stigma of a blighted area.


BOUNDARIES LISTED

The area proposed for redevelopment in Glenside lies within a line running roughly along Waverly rd., Keswick ave., Glenside ave., Rice's Mill rd., the Cheltenham township line, Mount Carmel ave., Clayton rd., Glenside ave., to Lynnwood ave., and Lynnwood to Waverly rd.

Included in this area is Glenside business center along Easton rd. and Glenside ave. Also within the boundaries are the Reading's station,118 non-residential buildings and 355 homes.

The Philadelphia Inquirer
March 5, 1961

Community Events

Northeast Philadelphia History Network

Sponsored by Friends of Northeast Philadelphia History
 

A History of Torresdale and the Morelton Inn

 
 
Morelton Inn, Torresdale

Presented by Patty O'Connor McCarthy

When: 7:00 PM, Wednesday, May 3
Where: Hybrid Zoom and in-person at Pennepack Baptist Meetinghouse 8732 Krewstown Rd, Phila, 19115
 
Local historian Patty O’Connor McCarthy examines the establishment of Torresdale in 1850 by wealthy financier Charles Macalester, and the history of the Morelton Inn, an elite Torresdale resort that catered to the privileged class at the turn of the twentieth century. Macalester built his mansion, Glengarry (now known as Glen Foerd), in the far northeastern corner of Philadelphia County and at his invitation, wealthy families purchased land in the surrounding area in the 1850s and 1860s for their country seats. By the 1890s, many of the early owners had passed away while others were willing to sell their land for a profit. Prominent businessman and politician, Edward de Veaux Morell, who in 1889 married Louise Bouvier Drexel, purchased a large portion of Torresdale to create a resort, The Morelton Inn. An expansive property that included the Inn, landscaped gardens, a casino, and guest houses, Morelton became a popular destination for Philadelphia’s elite. The Inn closed in 1898 and became a private club, and most of the outbuildings were torn down, repurposed, or sold. The main building went through various owners over the years and is presently a private home called Morelton Manor.

All FNEPH events are free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

GAR Museum & Library Open House Program

 

"The Average Civil War Soldier"
Including a special presentation on drummers and their instruments

 

When: Sunday, May 7, 2023; 1:00 PM
Where: Emmanuel Resurrection Episcopal Church, 8201 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia   Pennsylvania 19136

Join the GAR Museum to learn about the life and world of the average Civil War Veteran. Where did they come from? Why did they fight? What kept them in the ranks? Additionally, who were the drummer boys? What was their important role? And what made drums so unique in the 19th century?

Bryan Sigmund is a life-long advocate of Civil War preservation and an ally in education.  His passion is in the good works laid out by The Sons of Union Veterans within the Department of NJ. He works tirelessly on public outreach and on charitable initiatives such as fundraising, headstone restoration, and battlefield preservation. 

He is a proud member of :
  • The GAR Museum & Library
  • The Sons of Union Veterans
  • The General Meade Society
  • The Ancient Order of Hibernians 
  • The Army-Navy Union, Garrison 52 & The American Legion, Post #133

Old York Road Historical Society

 

Researching your Roots at the Office of the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Office

 
  
 

When: Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 7:30 pm.
Where: In-person and on Zoom. Please click here to log-in. Abington Friends Meeting, The John Barnes Room, 520 Meetinghouse Road, Jenkintown
 
Join us as Jeanne Sorg, Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, overviews the types of documents that are recorded with the Recorder of Deeds office and go through how to search the database for current and historical deeds on your property. These records date back to 1784 and are mostly public record. Historical deed research, and through other documents the Recorder of Deeds stores in perpetuity, can be a useful tool in learning more about your home and potentially family history.

A brief Society business meeting will occur prior to the start of the lecture.
 

About the Presenter


Jeanne Sorg was elected Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds in November 2015 and assumed office in January 2016. Sorg is originally from Minnesota and is the daughter of the first permanent female miner on the “Iron Range,” who was also the first female mayor of the small taconite mining town of Babbitt, located in Northern Minnesota.

Besides her position as Recorder of Deeds, Jeanne is currently Mayor of Ambler Borough. Sorg serves on the Ambler Main Street Board and is an active member of the Ambler Mennonite Church.

Masks are recommended but not required to attend the lecture.

The lecture series is sponsored by a grant from the Jenkintown Lyceum and all programs are offered free of charge. For more information, please call the Old York Road Historical Society at 215–886–8590.

If you are interested in learning about more of our future programs and are not on our email reminder list but would like to be, please send your email address to OldYorkRoadHistory@gmail.com. Information for upcoming programs and events can also be found on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

 

Rehabilitation of the Frankford Avenue Bridge, the Oldest Continuously Used Roadway Bridge in the United States

 
  

Presented by Margaret K. Sherman, P.E and Michael J. Cuddy, P.E.

When: Wednesday, May 9, 2023, 6:00 pm.
Where: Watch ONLINE via ZOOM from the safety and comfort of your home.
 
The Frankford Avenue Bridge, located in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest continuously used roadway bridge in the United States. The three span, stone masonry, arch bridge carries a two-lane road with flanking sidewalks over Pennypack Creek. Originally built in 1697 as part of the King’s Highway, the bridge was first paved in 1803 and widened in 1893. Worsening deterioration and collision damage necessitated that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering District 6-0 (PennDOT) take steps to repair the damage and preserve this engineering landmark. TranSystems served as designer on the award-winning bridge rehabilitation project, and construction was completed in September 2018.
 

About the Presenter


Margaret K. Sherman, P.E, “Meg”. is an Assistant Vice President with TranSystems. As the Office Director of the Philadelphia office, Meg is responsible for the company’s work through southeastern Pennsylvania. She has been with the firm for almost 17 years and has managed and contributed to many bridge design, rehabilitation, and inspection projects, particularly those involving historic bridges. A graduate of The University of Texas in Austin and Lehigh University, she is a registered professional engineer.

Michael J. Cuddy, P.E. is a Principal/Senior Vice President with TranSystems and Entity Manager responsible for the firm’s transportation work throughout Pennsylvania.  He has been with the firm for 38 years and is responsible for many of its major bridge design, rehabilitation and inspection programs, particularly those involving historic bridges and complex structural systems.  He has been the project manager on such notable rehabilitation projects as the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the oldest existing suspension bridge with a span greater than 1,000' and the University Avenue bascule bridge, designed by noted Philadelphia architect Philip Cret.  A graduate of The University of Pennsylvania, he is a registered professional engineer and is noted for his innovative and practical approach to the evaluation and rehabilitation of historic bridges.
 
  • $15 | General Admission
  • $10 | Alliance Member 

Students with ID or individuals with financial difficulties free with email to vcheng@preservationalliance.com

This bonus talk for the Spring Speaker Series is presented by the Young Friends of the Preservation Alliance. If you are registered to the Series Pass, you will automatically be registered for this presentation. 
 
Register

The Wall Paper

A Publication of the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission

 

 

The spring 2023 publication of The Wall Paper is now available. Back issues of The Wall Paper are available on the Cheltenham Township website. This edition features:
 
  • A Police Story: Remembering Regina Currie
  • Chairman's Chatter
  • Historical Notes
  • Upcoming Events
  • New Member Needed
  • A Moment in History

The Richard Wall House

The Richard Wall House is open on the fourth Sunday of most months 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@cheltenhampa.gov.

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
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