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Frankford Quarry Mystery Unveiled

At the Historical Society of Frankford meeting on September 10th, John Hewitt with the help of Bob Smiley searched and retrieved old newspaper article’s about the quarry at the intersections of Adams Avenue and Church Street. The story is how some 11 children and an adult lost their lives after falling into a Frankford bluestone quarry that later became Deni Playground in about the years 1871 to 1897.

Donald Clark assisted in taking pictures that night.  Thank you very much for your help Donald. Pat Smiley spoke about Keep the Faith in Frankford and the upcoming things going on and Joe Taylor from the organization talked about the clean up at Saint Joachim Cemetery. Pat also talked about Bob Smiley’s book coming out and his talk November 12th at the Historical Society of Frankford. There will be updates about the book.

In the absence of Jim Young, President of the Society,  Jerry Kolankiewicz did the introduction of speakers. Thank you Jerry and a big thanks to Susan Couvreur & the other board members who helped to make this presentation a good one.

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Coming up at the meeting on October 8th will be a slide show- Images From The Old Frankford Camera Club  of glass slides created by the members of the Frankford Camera Club which was founded in 1889. They were based at Wright’s Institute which was located at Unity and Griscom streets.

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The Church Street Quarries

Save the Date! 
You are cordially invited and most welcome to the first event of the Fall season at The Historical Society of Frankford. Join us on Tuesday, September 10, 7:30 PM at 1507 Orthodox St., parking on street and usually in the lot of Frankford Friends School! Light refreshments follow!
 
The first topic of the new year sheds light on “The Church Street Quarries (Deni Playground)” presented by John Hewitt and Bob Smiley!
Also meet and greet the members of “The Friends of St. Joachim Cemetery”.
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The Frankford Odd Fellows Lodge #14 (1829-1987)

The Historical Society of Frankford Presents the 4th of its 2019 Spring Program Lectures

June 11, 2019 7:30 PM
The Frankford Odd Fellows Lodge #14 (1829-1987)

Presented by: Justin C. Bailey, Secretary, Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Independent Order of Odd Fellows

April 2019 marked the 200th Anniversary of Odd Fellows in America.  In 1824 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was chartered followed by the establishment in 1829 of Odd Fellows Lodge #14 in Frankford. Originally named after Thomas Wildey, the founder of American Odd Fellowship, it was renamed Oxford Lodge #14 and remained in existence until 1987 when it consolidated with the still existing Henry Disston Lodge #8 in Tacony.

Secretary Bailey will discuss American Odd Fellowship with specific information about local Lodges. He will also present the Historical Society of Frankford with the complete minutes of the 190 year history of Lodge #14 for accession into its Library Collection

All Welcome – Admission Free – Refreshments Served

Donations and Membership Applications Gratefully Accepted

The HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FRANKFORD
1507 Orthodox Street
Philadelphia, PA 19124
215-743-6030

Email: frankfordhistorical@gmail.com

Facebook: www.thehistoricalsocietyoffrankford.org

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Historical Society Presents the Paxton Boys

The Historical Society of Frankford continues to bring in new programs this year.  Check this one out.

The Historical Society of Frankford

Presents the 3rd of its 2019 Spring Program Lectures

May 14, 2019 7:30 PM

The Paxton Boys

Presented by:

Will Fenton, Ph. D.

Director of Scholarly Innovation

The Library Company of Philadelphia

 

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In December of 1763, in the aftermath of the French and Indian War and Pontiac’s Rebellion, a vigilante mob of ruthless frontiersmen of Scotch-Irish descent from Paxtang Township in central Pennsylvania, based on unfounded fear and unprovoked by any Indian hostility, massacred 20 Native Americans in Lancaster County. The “Paxton Boys” were responsible for this Conestoga Massacre.

In January 1764, a mob of 250 Paxton boys marched on Philadelphia to murder those Indians who had escaped and sought refuge in the city. A disaster was averted when civic leaders met with the militant marchers in Germantown. The militants agreed to disperse on a promise from Benjamin Franklin that their grievances concerning lack of government protection from the Indians would be heard by the Legislature. Supporters and opponents of The Paxton Boys vigorously battled each other in the print media in much the same way we do today on Twitter.  Please join us to find out how this contentious pre-Revolution situation was resolved.

All Welcome – Admission Free – Refreshments Served

Donations and Membership Applications Gratefully Accepted

The HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FRANKFORD

1507 Orthodox Street

Philadelphia, PA 19124

215-743-6030

Email: frankfordhistorical@gmail.com

Facebook: www.thehistoricalsocietyoffrankford.org

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Historical Society April Program

Story and photos by John Hewitt

Tom Nickels, author of the book: Philadelphia Mansions, gave a talk at the Historical Society of Frankford on Tuesday April 9th, 2019. The talk was well received buy a packed house. Refreshments were served afterwards.

Richard Aregood on left, in blue (Pulitzer Prize winner) former editor of the Philadelphia Daily News, introduced Tom Nickels in black jacket, author of the book: Philadelphia Mansions 

Jim Young, President of the HSF, received a book of minutes and a gavel given to them by the Knights of Columbus by Tom McAvoy.  The Knights of Columbus that were housed at the Ruan House on Griscom Street Frankford for many years.  The Ruan House now houses the Grand Army of the Republic.

Tom McAvoy presents Knights of Columbus minutes book to Jim Young.

Also on this night Jim Young, Jerry Kolankiewicz, and Vanessa Couvreur won election to the board for 3 more years.

Coming up at the meeting on May 14th, Will Fenton, Ph.D., Director of Scholarly Innovation at The Library Company of Philadelphia will present: The Paxton Boys:

In December of 1763, in the aftermath of the French and Indian War and Pontiac’s Rebellion, a vigilante mob of ruthless frontiersmen of Scotch-Irish descent from Paxtang Township in central Pennsylvania, based on unfounded fear and unprovoked by any Indian hostility, massacred 20 Native Americans in Lancaster County. The “Paxton Boys” were responsible for this Conestoga Massacre.  The Paxton boys reportedly numbered as many as 1,500 members and wreaked havoc throughout the Province.