Frankford Community Blog | Local News, Events, Community Resources
On Saturday, April 29th Neshaminy State Park hosted the 28th Annual Civil War reenactment of the 1862 Battle of Antietam.
A frankford resident, Lt. William C. Wilson, died at the battle at the age of 32.
Throughout the park, there were people buying and selling their wares inside tents. North & South reenactors were marching and drilling their men for a battle that would take place later in the afternoon at the park.
A good time was had by all and the weather was good also.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Historical Society of Frankford at 1507 Orthodox Street
7:30 PM
The Ben Franklin Parkway
Harry Kyriakodis
The concept of a mile long parkway from City Hall to the Fairmount Water Works became a reality 100 years ago.
Harry’s book, “The Benjamin Franklin Parkway”
Tells the story with photos, maps and drawings of this much enjoyed cultural area of the city.
A book signing will follow the presentation.
Admission free/ Donations Accepted
Refreshments Served
Sunday ‘Open House’ Civil War History presentation
May 7, 2017 at 1:30pm
‘A Treasured Time Capsule: the Story of the Espy GAR Post 153, Carnegie, PA’
By historian and Library Director Diane Klinefelter
Forsaken for over 50 years, the dusty room within the Andrew Carnegie Free Library in Carnegie, Pennsylvania was opened in the late 1980’s when a group of Civil War reenactors questioned a rumor of extant artifacts. Behind the padlocked door the smell of history permeated the air – flags, books, prints and relics lay undisturbed since 1937 when the last Comrade exited the Post.
Diane Klinefelter, Library Director and Curator of the Capt. Thomas Espy Post 153 of the Grand Army of the Republic, will tell the story of the formation, operation, restoration, and on-going efforts to preserve this true national treasure.
FREE & Open to the public!
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM & LIBRARY
Historic Ruan House • 4278 Griscom Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19124
Robin Irizary, Watershed Coordinator of Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc. spoke to people at the Frankford Historical Society on Tuesday April 11, 2017.
Robin showed maps and charts and a video about how important the watershed is to the Frankford community. After, there were questions and answers and refreshments.
April 6, 1917, two days after the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war against Germany, the U.S. House of Representatives endorsed the declaration by a vote of 373 to 50, and America formally entered World War I.
More than 20 young men from frankford died in the war or as a result of the flu epidemic that began during that time. It was called the War to End All Wars but it lead to World War 2 and even more carnage.
These are a few of their stories below.
Joseph Alexander Coyle
Joseph Alexander Coyle was born on January 6, 1892 and lived at 1325 sellers. He was a shipping clerk at S.W. Evans and Son on Paul Street when he was inducted into the army on May 25, 1918. He was serving with Company K of the 315th Infantry, 79th Division when he was wounded on August 28, 1918 and died of pneumonia October 28, 1918. He is buried in St. Joachim Cemetery in Frankford.
Walter Carroll Brinton was born on January 2, 1894 and lived at 4540 Adams Ave. His father was a surveyor for the city and his mother was Elizabeth Smedley, sister of Franklin Smedley. He worked as a clerk for the Mitter Lock Company on Tacony Street in Frankford when he registered for the draft, however he claimed exemption as a Quaker. Even though he was a Conscientious Objector, He applied for a passport in September of 1917 to travel to France for a 2 year period to work for the American Friends Reconstruction. He died December 8, 1918 at “Sermaize-les-Bains, Departement de la Marne, Champagne-Ardenne”, France and is buried in the Friends Ground Cemetery in Frankford.
Elmer J. Needham
Elmer J. Needham was born March 18, 1886 in Philadelphia. His family lived at 1314 Unity Street. He was a clerk/salesman. On May 5, 1918 he applied for a passport to go to France in the American Red Cross, He was a 2nd lieutenant when he died on October 10, 1918. He is buried in France.
Charles Harold Redman was born on May 5, 1891 and baptized at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. He lived at 4629 Tackawanna Street. He was a meat cutter, married with a wife and child. He was inducted into the Army on April 25, 1918 and served in Company E, 146th Infantry He was killed in action on September 27, 1918. He is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
There will be more stories coming out in a book to be published next month.
