Category: history

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Threads of History Community Arts Project

The Historical Society of Frankford (HSF) is pleased to host Mural Arts Philadelphia and the Tacony
LAB Community Art Center Northeast 250: Threads of History community arts project on Tuesday,
March 31 at 6:00 PM at the Society’s library/museum at 1507 Orthodox St, Philadelphia.

This project, part of the City’s US Semiquincentennial celebrations, will shine spotlights at several
venues on the history of Northeast Philadelphia and the many small organizations that keep that
history alive. Using the US flag as the organizing principle and creative inspiration, hands-on
artmaking activities at each event will engage communities with the idea of individual expression in
flags. Participants will have an opportunity to create an artwork to keep.

The Frankford event will also feature an exhibit of artifacts and documents from the HSF collection
related to Betsy Ross, the woman often portrayed as the creator of the flag, and her relatives in
Northeast Philly who preserved and promoted her life story, as well as a short presentation.

This event is free and open to the public. Off street parking will be available across Orthodox Street
at the Frankford Friends School. Light refreshments will be available.

About the Historical Society of Frankford:
Founded in 1905, the Historical Society of Frankford preserves and interprets the history of
Northeast Philadelphia through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

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Kim Washington Frankford CDC to Speak at the Frankford Historical Society

The Historical Society of Frankford is pleased to have Kimberly Washington, Esq., Executive Director of the Frankford Community Development Corporation (FCDC), as the speaker at the Society’s March 2026 meeting. The lecture will occur on Tuesday, March 10th, at the Society’s library/museum located at 1507 Orthodox St, with doors opening at 7:00 PM. The event is free and open to the public. Off-street parking will be available across Orthodox Street at the Frankford Friends School. Light refreshments will be served.

In her talk Ms. Washington will visit the past, present and future of the FCDC, a charitable non-profit organization founded in 1993 with the purpose of improving living and business conditions in this historic neighborhood.

In the 26 years since, FCDC has worked to: support businesses along Frankford Avenue and elsewhere in the community; served as the official Neighborhood Advisory Committee linking the city Community Development Department to resident housing programs and commenting on zoning issues; assisting with workforce development and employment support; and promoting neighborhood planning and redevelopment.

With multiple programs well underway, FCDC has been the critical agency working to revive a community hard hit in recent decades by de-industrialization. Ms. Washington is well versed in the issues facing the Frankford neighborhood, having worked on them in several roles for the past 13 years. She will share her vision of a Frankford finally participating in the neighborhood revivals occurring throughout Philadelphia.

About the Historical Society of Frankford Founded in 1905, the Historical Society of Frankford preserves and interprets the history of Northeast Philadelphia through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs.

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GAR Program March 1st

From our friends at the GAR Museum 

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) 

CIVIL WARMUSEUM & ARCHIVE

Presents a Free Zoom Program

 Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

“The Life and Struggles of Mary Edwards Walker:

Doctor, Feminist, Medal of Honor Recipient’

by Walt Lafty

Many people know that Mary E. Walker served as a doctor during the Civil War. Some are also aware she was the recipient of the Medal of Honor. This presentation will focus on her early family life, and her struggle to attain recognition as a doctor, prior to the war, as well as during and after the war. It will also cover her lifelong commitment to fighting for the right to vote for women and many other issues regarding feminism. She has been described as unconventional and eccentric, but she was also graceful, understanding, compassionate, and committed. Mary was above all else, a patriot who was loyal to the flag of the United States. Her sacrifices throughout her life to remain true to herself were difficult but inspiring.

Walt Lafty is a historian with a focus on the American Civil War (1861-1865), but also World War 2, as well as the history of Ireland. He has been active in various Civil War groups for many years. Those include the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Museum where he serves as the research administrator and volunteer. He is also active in the Delaware Valley CWRT where he is a board member as well as a member of the preservation committee. Walt is also an active member of Baker-Fisher Camp 101 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War in Hatboro and currently serves as the camp secretary. In addition, he is a member of the Old Baldy CWRT and the General Meade

To reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation, reply by e-mail to garmuslib1866@gmail.com

You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation. 

Deadline for signing-up is Noon, Saturday,

February 28, 2026

As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today.  We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum & Archive.  Become a Member. Application attached.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg – N.E. Philadelphia), 19136
 www.garmuslib.org

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Frederick Douglas Program at the GAR Museum

From our friends at the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Archive:

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC (G.A.R.) CIVIL WAR

MUSEUM & ARCHIVE

Presents a Free Zoom Program

 Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

“Frederick Douglass” by Prof. Nilgun Anadolu-Okur, Temple University

Frederick Douglass rose to prominence as an eloquent author, intellectual and human rights advocate, as well as a women’s rights leader. He was the first African American to hold high U.S. government ranks, as a diplomat in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and the first to be nominated for vice president. In her talk, Professor Okur will highlight Douglass’s lesser known characteristics.

Dr. Nilgün Anadolu-Okur is the Presidential Professor of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. She holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in African American and American Studies. She has two Fulbright appointments internationally and she has received grants and national awards in humanities. Currently she serves as chair of the Faculty Senate Status of Women Committee and as the Graduate Director of her department. In 1990s as the Pennsylvania Humanities Council (PHC) Commonwealth Speaker she toured Pennsylvania and lectured on Underground Railroad and Black Abolitionists. She is the co-founder of the “Annual Underground Railroad Conference at Temple University,” since 2003. She has authored books on African American Studies and her articles are published in peer-reviewed journals including Journal of Black Studies, Gender Issues, Human and Society. Her research has a broad spectrum ranging from theory and methodology in Africology and Afrocentricity, race and racism, women’s rights, abolition, Black Women authors (19th to 21st century), African American history, and motherhood in antiquity.

To reserve a virtual seat for this outstanding presentation, reply by e-mail to garmuslib1866@gmail.com

You will be sent a link with a password that will enable you to access the program within 24 hours of the start of the presentation. 

Deadline for signing-up is Noon, Saturday, January 31, 2026

As a lover of history, you know how critical it is to keep history alive, especially today.  We very much appreciate your continued support for the GAR Civil War Museum & Archive

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & ARCHIVE
8110 Frankford Ave. (Holmesburg – N.E. Philadelphia), 19136
 www.garmuslib.org

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Becks’ Philadelphia Brigade Band

Tanks to the Grand Army of the Republic Museum:

Becks’ Philadelphia Brigade Band is a Civil War era brass band portraying the brass band of the 2nd Division, 2ndCorps, 2nd Brigade of the Union Army of the Potomac in 1863. The Band plays the music of the Victorian era for concerts, ceremonies, balls, parades and commemorations. The band is authentically uniformed, playing music of the period on instruments that were correct for the time.  The program featured tunes played during the Civil War era, including Christmas songs that date back to the 1850’s, plus some vocal renditions from that period. Songs will include “Cheer Boys Cheer”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “Shenandoah”, “Battle Cry of Freedom”, and “Dixie” (a personal favorite of President Lincoln.)

The music comes from manuscripts dating back to 1830, publications courtesy of the Library of Congress, and arrangements created for the band by our own members.