Category: history

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Historical Society Meeting Tuesday Night

It was the annual membership night at the Historical Society of Frankford as four board members were re-elected to full 3 year terms on March 11th. Sara Brower, John Buffington, Susan Couvreur and Bruce McKenzie retained their seats.

The treasurers report presented by Bruce McKenzie, indicates that there is enough cash on hand to meet immediate needs but additional revenue is needed to make progress on making the improvements that are needed to keep the society moving forward.board members

The 2013 Activity Report was delivered by Sara Brower. It was a busy year. You can read it in detail here page 1 and page 2.

There was a spirited question and answer period as members asked questions and voiced their concerns.

hsf march 2014Members were also invited to bring their personal post card collections to share and several members had very interesting collections on display.

Patricia Coyne displayed a slide show of images from her personal collection of Frankford post cards as the members browsed through the other collections and had light refreshments.

The next meeting at the Historical Society will be on Tuesday, April 8th at 7:00 PM.  The program will be: FIGHTING FIRES IN FRANKFORD (FROM HORSES TO HORSEPOWER: PHILADELPHIA BUREAU OF FIRE 1871–1923) – Presentation by Jack Wright, Historian, Philadelphia Fire Department

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Photo Conservation Workshop Coming to HSF

Caring for your personal Photograph collections

From Daguerreotypes to Digital

Saturday April 26, 2014 2 – 4 PM

Historical Society of Frankford

1507 Orthodox St.

An introductory  workshop to show you how to handle, store and display your images – Receive samples of conservation materials

Cost: $15.00 for members – $20.00 for non-members

Space is limited. Please RSVP

Susan Couvreur email  couvreur@verizon.net

phone 215 288 6697

Light refreshment served after.

 

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Meeting of the HSF Tuesday March 11th

Preserving & Promoting the History of NE Philadelphia since 1905
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FRANKFORD
The Center for Northeast Philadelphia History
 
 
Tuesday, 11 March 2014 7:30pm
ANNUAL MEETING
 
PROGRAM AND DISPLAY
POSTCARD COLLECTIONS
Society and Members
 This is an opportunity for members and guests to participate in the Society’s monthly program. Bring in examples of postcards you have collected or saved. Each one tells a story – come prepared to tell yours – about the cards or your collection. View some special postcards from the Society’s collections and hear about early twentieth century Bridesburg photographers William H and Charles Sliker, who printed thousands of postcards documenting the sites and residents of Frankford/NE Philadelphia.
As this is the annual membership meeting, come out, vote for directors, and learn what has been done this past year at the Society – and what is being planned for the future. Then enjoy a behind the scenes tour of our 1930’s building and vast collections.
Refreshments served. Members free; Others $5.00
1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 215-743-6030
 www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org
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We Thank You for Your Service

This is the first in a series of a monthly feature authored by Richard Johnson.  It began running in the print edition of the Gazette in January.

Richard is a retiree living in the Meadow House and a proud veteran of the U. S. Army.  It was his concept and am publishing it for him, although I wish I had thought of it myself.

We are compiling a list of the names of veterans who are from Frankford.  If you would like yourself or anyone listed please email me at gil@frankfordgazette.com with their name and branch of service.  Also indicate if they are living or have passed on.  We will publish the complete list on November 11th Veterans Day.

Veteran of the month is Guy D. Lewis.

Guy D. Lewis retired after 22 years of service in the U.S. Army.  Last rank held was Major.  He was eligible for promotion to Lt. Colonel.

Bachelor of Science, Nursing from Temple University (2001) MS with a major in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University (2006)  Professional Background
* 21 plus years as a Registered Nurse
* 16 years in the operating-room at Temple University Hospital
* 16 year member of a Level 1 Trauma Center’s Trauma Team
* Certified as a trauma provider since 1991
* 6 years in physical rehabilitation (brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, pressure sores, amputations and other disabilities)
* Worked simultaneously in ICU, step down Unit, ED and an extended care facility throughout career
* 18 plus years in the US Army Nurse Corps as a 66H Medical Surgical Nurse), 66J (Clinic Nurse), & 66E (Perioperative Nurse)
* Interim Commander of the 625th Forward Surgical Team
* 16 years as an American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support Instructor
* 8 years as a state certified Emergency Medical Technician (Ambulance)

Community Service
* Produces Annual Black History Celebration.  Teaches CPR and first aid to Scouts, church groups, day care center staff, and community residents – Conducts physical examinations for the Frankford Chargers Organization. – Coached little league basketball at the Northeast Boys & Girls Club – Northeast Boys & Girls Club Volunteer— Sponsored a food & clothing drive for the less fortunate—Board member of the Metropolitan Boys & Girls Clubs of America— Vice President of the Northeast Boys & Girls Club, Men’s Club.

We Salute the following veterans for their service:

Tillman Avery—Navy *

John Berry —Army

James Berry—Army*

Floyd R. Coleman—Marines

Kelly Debman—Army

Doctor Forrest—Army*

Tom Barland—Army

Henry Haskin—Army

Joe Holiday—Army

Samuel Johnson—Navy*

Edward Keith—Army

Henry Lewis—Army*

Nathan Lewis—Army

Paul Lewis—Army*

Russell McCoy—Army*

Calvester Montgomery-Army*

Angelita Nix—Marines*

Charles Pittman—Air Force

Wallace Randolph—Army*

David Rivera—Army

Robert Smiley—Air Force

Robert Turner Sr.—Marines*

Alfonso Whitmore—Army

Felicia Williams—Navy*

 

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An Open Letter From Christine Rojek

Christine Rojek is the artist who won the competition to install a piece of sculpture at Womrath Park.

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FRANKFORD COMMUNITY

Dear Frankford Residents:

It was a pleasure to meet so many of you at the community meeting and presentation of the Womrath Park Gateway Sculpture proposals on January 27 th at the Second Baptist Church. Your input, openness to new ideas , and your enthusiasm for the artist’s process of design was encouraging and heartwarming.

My proposal, entitled Confluence, is a cluster of three sculptures that celebrates the evolution of Frankford. My ideas sprung from the two primary reasons that Frankford exists: Frankford Avenue and Frankford Creek. The trail, or road, lead a steady stream of people through the area and the creek created a flow of energy and opportunity . The fast moving water provided the source of industry followed by the birth of the community. The creek was the reason the people stayed.

THE CENTRAL FEATURE

My goal as an artist is to create one clear icon for Frankford surrounded by a “timeline of images ” that celebrate the evolution of this neighborhood from open land to a diverse community. The large central feature will be a dynamic “Rushing Water Form” as the symbol of the creek and of life. The sculpted water shapes will flow around a brightly colored waterwheel that represents industry, tenacity, and the potential for new growth.

PANELS SURROUNDING THE CENTRAL FEATURE

Clustered around the central f eature (Rushing Water with Waterwheel) will be two decorative panels . Together , they will define an area to gather, stroll , and learn. The panel located to the South ( History Panel ) will describe the open landscape, early architecture , and events from Frankford’s past . The panel on the North ( Community Panel ) will describe more recent memories, current events , and urban architecture.

COMMUNITY INPUT

As part of my research for this sculpture, I’d like to invite you to share your memories and impressions of Frankford with me. I plan to interpret y our stories and special images into a large drawing , or graphic design. This design will then be cut into metal to form the decorative panels described above. Below are some of the questions you might consider:

1. How has the natural landscape changed along the road?

2. How has the natural landscape changed along the creek?

3. How was the creek used for recreation in the past and how is it used today?

4. What do you know about the beginning of industry in Frankford? Did any family members work in the mills?

5. What stories have you been told about the construction of the elevated train and how it changed Frankford? What do you remember about your first ride?

6. What stories or images of historic Frankford are most intriguing to you?

7. What is your favorite piece of architecture from early Frankford? Does this structure still exist?

8. What is your favorite storefront or piece of architecture from contemporary Frankford?

9. What parts of the neighborhood do you feel define Frankford today?

Thank you, Christine Rojek

Follow this link for more information and a way to leave your comments and suggestions.