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Hunt for History

The Historical Society of Frankford is on a Hunt for history and we need your help!

In order to complete a fuller picture and fill in the gaps in Frankford’s history, we are asking our friends and neighbors to tell us their stories. If you are, or have been a resident of Frankford, we need you to tell your stories of life in Frankford as you lived it.

There are four categories we are interested in:

Memories of Frankford

If you have lived in Frankford for any length of time, you must have some memories of your neighborhood. Tell us the places you remember, and what you did as a child and as an adult. Where did you go to school? What church did you belong to? What was the street you lived on, and who were your neighbors.

Families of Frankford

If you are, or were a long time resident of Frankford, then tell us about your family. Who were they? Were they immigrants? Where did they come from? When did they come to Frankford? Name their names and tell us where they lived and what they did.

Organizations in Frankford

Did you belong to any organization that was active in Frankford. Were you a member of the Lions Club, the Oddfellows, the VFW, or the American Legion? Were you a Boy Scout or Girl Scout? Did you go to the Northeast Boys Club or the Frankford Y? Tell us about your organization. What it was. Where it was. What it did, and who was there. What part did you play?

Where I worked in Frankford

If you worked anywhere in Frankford, tell us about it. Did you own a business in Frankford? Were you a store clerk on the avenue, a waiter or waitress, a barber or hair stylist. Did you work in any lite industry In Frankford? Were you a paperboy or did you shine shoes? The type of job is not to big or too small. Tell us the name of the place, where it was located, who were the owners, and what your job was there. We want to hear all about the places you worked.


We are asking you to take some time and reflect on your life in Frankford. Write it all down in an electronic file. If you are not able, ask a friend or family member to help. Give your stories a title if you want to. Make sure you list yourself as the author. Include pictures or other graphics if you wish. Use any font style you want, but keep it at size 11. Titles can be larger, in color or underlined. Send your stories to

www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org

All stories will be logged and kept in both an electronic file and a printed out open book file at the Historical Society of Frankford. Come and visit us at 1507 Orthodox St.

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Historical Society to Celebrate the Eagles with the Frankford Yellow Jackets

The Historical Society of Frankford, at the meeting on March 13th at 7 PM, will celebrate the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl win with a display their extensive collection of Frankford Yellow Jackets memorabilia for viewing and discussion. The Frankford Yellow Jackets, the original Philadelphia NFL franchise, won the NFL Championship in 1926.

Frankford Yellow Jackets 1926 – from Wikimedia Commons

There will also be the Annual report and election of Board Members, a guest appearance by State Representative Jason Dawkins to discuss how his office can be of service to HSF and the neighborhood.

The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Historical Society of Frankford at 1507 Orthodox Street.  Admission is free but donations are very welcome.

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Transit-rich and ripe for revival, Frankford struggles to make space for Penn Fruit landmark – Philly

Philly.com turns the spotlight on Frankford today and aims it at the old Holiday Thriftway at Pratt and Frankford.  It is a landmark and yet it is still vacant 2 years after Thriftway closed.

It sounds like either nobody wants to use it or more likely, Rite Aid, the owner of the property, has no incentive to cooperate in turning it over to a new owner.  Read the story at the link below.

An iconic 1950s supermarket is now shuttered, and a debate has grown over how best to reuse the historically preserved property in Frankford, where revitalization is much needed.

Source: Transit-rich and ripe for revival, Frankford struggles to make space for Penn Fruit landmark – Philly

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Frankford Memories from 2001

The video below was produced back in 2001 when there was a great deal of very positive activity on Frankford Avenue.   The five people who were interviewed for their recollections of Frankford give first person accounts of things we can now only read about.  It is only about 20 minutes long but well worth seeing again. Thanks to Joe Menkevich for digging up the old VHS tape.

Skin of Our Teeth Pictures

Presents

A Lion Theater Production

Frankford Memories

Written and Directed by

Francesco Muto and Randall Bowes

In Association with

The Historical Society of Frankford

and

The Frankford United Neighbors CDC

Recorded in October of 2001

Screened at the Frankford Arts Festival at the Historical Society of Frankford

Interviewees:

Dr. Irving Smiler – Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Frankford

Zelma Banes – St. Mark’s Church, Frankford

Myrtle Macintosh – Rehoboth Methodist Church, Frankford

Dr. Leon Johnston – Retired School District of Philadelphia teacher and administrator

Jean Seder – Author, “Voices of Kensington”

 

 

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Kitty Foyle was a Nice Girl from Frankford

Ginger Rogers won the Oscar for her performance in the title role of the 1940 Movie “Kitty Foyle” about the star crossed love between a girl from Frankford and the son of an aristocratic Main Line Family. The book upon which the movie is based, written by Christopher Morley, contained much coverage of her early years in Frankford but that part of the story line did not make it to the screen.

Ginger Rogers as Kitty Foyle

Although it would not have had much meaning to a nationwide movie audience, that omitted part is very interesting to Frankford residents and will be presented by Jim Young, President of the Society.  He has some new previously unknown details along with a display of artifacts associated with the missing information.

Come to the Historical Society of Frankford meeting on December 12th at 7:30 PM for the presentation and the Annual Holiday Tea- Please bring sandwiches or desserts to share.  Admission Free – Donations Accepted

1507 Orthodox St. Philadelphia, Pa 19124

www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org

215-743-6030