Tag: History

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Historical Society’s october program to highlight breweries of Frankford, Kensington, and Bridesburg

NE Philadelphia’s Own OKTOBERFEST PROGRAM

BREWERIES OF FRANKFORD, KENSINGTON, and BRIDESBURG

Rich Wagner, Master Brewers Association of the Americas

www.pabreweryhistorians.tripod.com

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

7:30pm

HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FRANKFORD – “The Center for NE Philadelphia History”

1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA  19124 www.frankfordhistoricalsociety.org

Preserving and Presenting the History of Northeast Philadelphia since 1905

(One block west of Frankford Avenue between Margaret and Church Elevated stops)

Raise one up for Kensington, Frankford and Bridesburg – three industrial “River Wards” where breweries large and small quenched the thirst of thousands of workers and shipped beer throughout the world!  Brewing was yet another industry in these Northeast neighborhoods that practically gave them the distinction of being “Workshops of the World.”  Schmidt’s and Gretz were two of the last of the city’s breweries to close while the breweries of John Fritsch and John Grauch in Frankford never made it past prohibition. And while the Erdrich brewery started in Bridesburg, it later moved into a large modern facility in Frankford. The good news is that brewing has returned to Kensington in the form of Philadelphia Brewing Company, a proud supporter of the community.

Rich Wagner has been researching the history of the brewing industry in Pennsylvania since 1980 and began homebrewing in 1983. He has interviewed people with long careers in the brewing industry and collected an impressive amount of information and photographic documentation of Pennsylvania’s rich brewing heritage.   In 1990 he interpreted the brewing process at Pennsbury Manor using reproductions of colonial brewing equipment. Three years later, he created his own equipment and has demonstrated colonial brewing from coast to coast. He earned a Diploma in Brewing Technology from Chicago’s Siebel Institute and spent seven years working in Philadelphia’s craft breweries. He is a regular contributor to Mid-Atlantic Brewing News, the American Breweriana Journal and numerous other publications. He is currently the Secretary/Membership Chair  Phila – Master Brewers Association of the Americas (http://www.mbaa.com/Districts/Philadelphia/default.htm).

Students, researchers, historians, genealogists, and all others invited.  The monthly program meetings are held at the Historical Society of Frankford’s 1930 building, housing its Library and Museum.  Enjoy the Society’s collections and exhibitions and learn something new each month. Following each program, light refreshments are served so participants and presenters can refresh and exchange ideas. Members free; Others $5.00

ONGOING EXHIBITION (HSF Library and Museum Collections):

FRANKFORD FOOD WAYS

Historic retrospective of food culture, preparation, storage, and marketing in Northeast Philadelphia.

NORTHEAST HALL OF FAME CEREMONIES
Holy Family University – 9801 Frankford Avenue

Sunday, 17 October 2010 – 1:00pm

2010 INDUCTEES:
Benjamin Rush, Robert Purvis, Butch Ballard, Sister Mary Scullion, Special People in the Northeast (SPIN)

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Philadelphia – The Great Experiment

I am lucky to get an occasional email from Joe Menkevich.  His radar is on duty at all times of the day and night for any news that might be interesting.  I was reading one of his this morning thinking how much he reminds me of Shelby Foote the historian from the Civil War PBS series.  (When he talks about history, it’s as if the people are still alive.) With that thought in mind, I opened another message from him this morning and found this information.  No its not directly related to Frankford but it is about the era that many of our ancestors came to Philadelphia and eventually Frankford.

The link is to a piece in the Inquirer about the documentary planned by Sam Katz, politician and business man.  The web site is here and below is a teaser from the web site.  The quality is outstanding.

The Volunteer Firefighters from The Great Experiment on Vimeo.

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Old Baldy Is Home To Grand Army Of The Republic Museum

Old Baldy was finally at home and on view yesterday at the Grand Army of the Republic museum on Griscom Street.  The Inquirer did a nice job of covering the story.  You can read it here.

Thanks to Joe Menkevich for the tip on the slide show below.  The GAR Museum is another one of Frankford’s treasures.

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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’
    When – Sun, September 26, 12pm – 4pm
    Where – Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library, 4278 Griscom St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’ General Meade’s Famed Warhorse Returns Home to Post #1 Ceremony at 1:30pm Refreshments & Beverages Tours & Talks Parking at St Joachim’s R.C. Church lot on Griscom St. Please R.S.V.P. to: garmuslib@verizon.net or call: 215-289-6484
  • Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
    When – Thu, September 30, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Where – Aria Helath, Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – The ultimate goal is to create a process that enhances the community’s ability to solve issues surrounding truancy, domestic violence, child safety and substance abuse.
  • Unlitter Us Rally and Fair
    When – Fri, October 1, 11:30am – 12:00pm
    Where – outside of Holiday Thriftway (5147 Frankford Avenue) (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, October 3, 12pm – 5pm
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: “Civil War Spies and Guerillas” Dr Sid Copel
  • Friends of Overington Park
    When – Tue, October 5, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – CORA Neuman Center at 1000 Orthodox Street (map)
    Description – Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and pleasant place for everyone.
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When – Thu, October 7, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Pasta Dinner
    When – Sun, October 10, 12pm – 4pm
    Where – St. Joachim Roman Catholic Church 1527 Church Street Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – St. Joachim’s is having a Pasta Dinner on Sunday, October 10 from 12PM to 4PM. Dinners include: Pasta, meatballs or sausage, salad, rolls & butter, desserts and coffee, tea or iced tea. All this for $10 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Take out is also available!
  • Historical Society of Frankford program
    When – Tue, October 12, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
    Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – BREWERIES of FRANKFORD, KENSINGTON & BRIDESBURG Rich Wagner Master Brewers Association of the Americas www.pabreweryhistorians.tripod.com PHILADELPHIA BREWING COMPANY OKTOBERFEST LIBATIONS Raise one up for these three industrial River Wards, where breweries quenched the thirst of thousands of workers and shipped beer throughout the world. Schmidt’s and Gretz were two of the last breweries to close, while those of John Fritsch and John Grauch in Frankford never made it past prohibition. Rich Wagner has been studying the history of this area’s brewing industry and has researched brewing from colonial times to today’s craft brewing industry.
  • Frankford Community Garden Maintenance Meetup
    When – Thu, October 14, 6pm – 8pm
    Where – Corner of Oxford Ave. and Foulkrod St. (map)
    Description – Gather together with your friends and neighbors to maintain and improve this garden spot in Frankford.
  • Northeast Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
    When – Sun, October 17, 1pm – 2pm
    Where – Holy Family University – 9801 Frankford Avenue (map)
    Description – NORTHEAST HALL of FAME Holy Family University – 9801 Frankford Avenue Inductees: Benjamin Rush, Robert Purvis, Butch Ballard, Sister Mary Scullion, Special People in the NE (SPIN) .  Tickets $25.00 available from Holy Family University.
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, October 19, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
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Coming Up in Frankford

  • Sidewalk art contest for kids and pet event
    When – Sat, September 18, 10am – 1pm
    Where – Overington Park, Leiper and Orthodox Streets (map)
    Description – We will be holding a sidewalk art contest for kids. If adults would like to show off their skills with chalk they are welcome to come. There will be prizes for the kids and refreshments for all! Thanks for your support. Also, A veterinarian and a team of volunteers will offer low-cost vaccinations and microchips to pet owners (both dogs and cats). They will also give out info about spay/neuter, pet care, leash laws, etc. They will give out vouchers for $40 spay/neuter and vaccinations for pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Also, they have leashes and collars they will give people.
  • Northwood Civic Association Meeting
    When – Tue, September 21, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – St. James Lutheran Church, at Castor Avenue and Pratt Street. (map)
  • Northeast Philadelphia EPIC Stakeholders Group
    When – Thu, September 30, 5:30pm – 7:30pm
    Where – Aria Health, 2nd floor. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – The ultimate goal is to create a process that enhances the community’s ability to solve issues surrounding truancy, domestic violence, child safety and substance abuse.
  • Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’
    When – Sun, September 26, 12pm – 4pm
    Where – Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum & Library, 4278 Griscom St. Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Grand Gala Unveiling of ‘Old Baldy’ General Meade’s Famed Warhorse Returns Home to Post #1 Ceremony at 1:30pm Refreshments & Beverages Tours & Talks Parking at St Joachim’s R.C. Church lot on Griscom St. Please R.S.V.P. to: garmuslib@verizon.net or call: 215-289-6484
  • Unlitter Us Rally and Fair
    When – Fri, October 1, 11:30am – 12:00pm
    Where – outside of Holiday Thriftway (5147 Frankford Avenue) (map)
  • Grand Army of the Republic Museum Open House
    When – Sun, October 3, 12pm – 5pm
    Where – 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – Presentation at 1:30 PM: “Civil War Spies and Guerillas” Dr Sid Copel
  • Friends of Overington Park
    When – Tue, October 5, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – CORA Neuman Center at 1000 Orthodox Street (map)
    Description – Come out and discuss our park and what we an do to make it a safe and pleasant place for everyone.
  • Frankford Civic Association Meeting
    When – Thu, October 7, 7pm – 8pm
    Where – 2nd floor conference room, Aria Health, 4900 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
  • Historical Society of Frankford program
    When – Tue, October 12, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
    Where – 1507 Orthodox St., Philadelphia, PA 19124 (map)
    Description – BREWERIES of FRANKFORD, KENSINGTON & BRIDESBURG Rich Wagner Master Brewers Association of the Americas www.pabreweryhistorians.tripod.com PHILADELPHIA BREWING COMPANY OKTOBERFEST LIBATIONS Raise one up for these three industrial River Wards, where breweries quenched the thirst of thousands of workers and shipped beer throughout the world. Schmidt’s and Gretz were two of the last breweries to close, while those of John Fritsch and John Grauch in Frankford never made it past prohibition. Rich Wagner has been studying the history of this area’s brewing industry and has researched brewing from colonial times to today’s craft brewing industry.
  • Frankford Community Garden Maintenance Meetup
    When – Thu, October 14, 6pm – 8pm
    Where – Corner of Oxford Ave. and Foulkrod St. (map)
    Description – Gather together with your friends and neighbors to maintain and improve this garden spot in Frankford.