Frankford Community Blog | Local News, Events, Community Resources
The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia is throwing a bash at the Globe Dye Works to benefit it’s Alliance Advocacy Fund. Entitled Endangered City, the exhibition will showcase the expressions found in Philadelphia’s architectural history. Help support local artists, celebrate our cultural past and future, and help protect historical architecture in our city. A $10 donation is suggested.
Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
I have a wine fridge. I really do. It’s a tiny little thing that only holds about 12 bottles that my wife and I picked up from Best Buy a while ago. Eventually we made the heart renching decision to unplug it because it became our mission to fill it up. Filling it up was fun, the emptying it out was even more fun and began interfering with our running. We’ve also gone to a few classes at the Wine School of Philadelphia, which is such a cool experience, I’d recommend it for anyone. We’re wine novices, but you know, we aspire….
So it is with more than passing curiosity that I’ve noted “a family owned company specializing in custom wine cellar consultation, design and craftsmanship”, Modern Cellar, has taken up residence in The Globe Dye Works complex. Check out their press page for an extensive and impressive list of media where their wares have been showcased. I don’t know to what extent their presence is, whether they’re manufacturing or distributing, or just run offices there, but I’m definitely curious. If Frankford is playing any part in wine culture, I must have an item, it’s a shame I probably can’t afford a custom cellar. I can, however, already envision where their INSTA wine rack will go in my kitchen. Aside from their complete custom work. their prefab stuff is being sold by local shops Matthew Izzo in Old City, and Hipster Home in Phoenixville, and of course are available online. Very cool.
[link] http://www.moderncellar.com/
There were over forty people in attendance at the meeting Tuesday night at the Historical Society of Frankford to hear Torben Jenk’s presentation “LOCAL COLOR” — Five Generations of GLOBE DYE COMPANY (1965–2005). I noted that many of the attendees were from outside of Frankford. That the HSF can attract folks from far and wide is a tribute to the quality of the program.
What drew me to this program were two points of interest. The story of the Globe Dye Works is all about work and what drew people to come to Frankford to live. My great grandfather came to this country in 1869 and settled in South Philly. He first went to work as a shoe maker in a factory but within a few years he got into the textile industry. I traced his movements around the city when in 1891 I found him in Frankford working as a Beamer in the textile mill. So the textile business in Frankford is why I am here today.
The other point of interest is that the Globe Dye Works building is undergoing a renaissance under its new owners the Globe Development Group (GDG). Matt and Charlie Papajohn of the GDG were on hand to talk about what is being done to the building, how it is being preserved and what lies in the future.
Torben Jenk gave an engaging talk with power point slides on the history of the Globe from its earliest beginning when it straddled the little Tacony creek which
is now Torresdale Avenue through its closure in 2005. The big story was the tremendous size of the textile industry in Philadelphia. Mr. Jenk is a founder of the web site workshop of the world which is very informative about the industrial history of the city. The small but even more interesting story was that of the people of Frankford who worked at the Globe as seen in a Globe publication “Local Color”.
Charlie and Matt Papajohn discussed the restoration of the building and direction they are heading for in the future. You can find a lot of this at the Globe Dye Works web site. They did note that all the archival materials found at the Globe have been donated to the HSF. One interesting tidbit is that a new tenant at the Globe will be producing hard cider called “Revolutionary Cider” in that it follows the recipes of the colonial era.
It was an an entertaining and fast paced hour. Visit the HSF web site for an up to date listing of future events.
A few weeks ago, Jim noted that Google is now showing businesses on Google maps. One of businesses that turned up in frankford was the Philadelphia Wooden Boat Factory. That sounded interesting and I looked up their web site to see what I could find out about them. They have recently moved into the Globe from their original location in South Philly. It became obvious that there would be no ship construction going on in Frankford. This turns out to be an educational/youth development program. I emailed to find out if anybody would like to talk about it.
A couple of days later got a call from a guy named Brett who said he would be happy to give me the story and we could meet at the Globe over on Worth Street. I met with him last Wednesday and got a better story than I had bargained for.
Brett Hart is thirty something and lived on Hawthorne Street and attended Frankford Friends. He is the Executive director of the Philadelphia Wooden boat Factory.
They have a canoe building program that is up and running now. 
PWBF Canoe Program is a long-term boat building program that is available free to eligible Philadelphia area schools. Taking place typically over a 12-week period during either the fall or spring academic semester, Philadelphia area students (14-18 years old) work three hours a week to complete a 15-foot canoe. Participating students become proficient with academic fundamentals and practical application of skills such as reading blueprints, understanding and using scale, linear measurement, applying material properties, applying trigonometric/geometric principle, safe tool use/care, and fine woodworking. Additionally, in a group setting, students further develop critical/analytical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution, responsibility, and self-reliance skills. PWBF’s unique educational philosophy, in conjunction with the canoe project, enables students to creatively develop and apply academic, personal, and interpersonal skills in a practical hands-on environment.
In addition they are looking to start a new after school boat building program. This pilot program is slated to begin for a group of twelve 8th 
grade students on January 25th with a five-month restoration project that will lead into a competitive sailing program by June. The restoration will entail rebuilding a boat called a Lightning. One was in the shop the day I visited and Brett was going to pick up the second this past weekend.
I had fairly simple questions. Safety with kids around wood working equipment is important. The shop is equipped with a table saw that will stop if it is touched by any part of the body. I had heard of them but never saw one in person. The dust collection system looks up to the job. They are partnering with the Broad Street Y for swimming lessons to make sure all the kids who go out on the water can swim. 
Anyone having an interest in this program can contact Brett Hart via email at Brett@woodenboatfactory.org. Visit their web site for a good look at the philosophy and more pictures.
This is another of the interesting things going on over at the Globe in historic East Frankford.
