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Moviehouse Productions

Rick Spector

 

Rick Spector of Moviehouse Productions was the featured speaker at last weeks meeting at the Historical Society.  I had not seen Rick before but his focus is on much more than the history of the theaters in the city.  He took the crowd on a nostalgia tour through the city.  He makes full use of his multimedia bag of tricks to bring the past to life.  If you get the chance to see him in person, don’t miss it.  Even the younger folks would be interested in seeing what the city was like only a few years ago.

 

 

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Coming up December 13th at the Historical Society of Frankford

Preserving and Presenting the History of Northeast Philadelphia since 1905
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FRANKFORD
THE CENTER FOR NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA HISTORY
Tuesday, 13 December 2011  7:00pm (note time)
WINTER HOLIDAY SOCIAL
“MOVIEHOUSE”
Few of the “jewel box” movie theaters that dotted Philadelphia exist any longer  Rick Spector’s  “MOVIEHOUSE” remembers this lost world of entertainment through a program offering a  citywide tour of old theaters, including several in Frankford.  Join Society members, staff, and volunteers in this annual Holiday Social.  Please bring light refreshments or desserts to share and note earlier start of 7:00pm for the Society’s annual Holiday Social.
The monthly public membership meetings of the Historical Society of Frankford are held in its own Museum and Library, built in 1930. Enjoy the Society’s collections and exhibitions as you learn something new each month.  Following each program, light refreshments are served so participants and presenters can refresh and exchange ideas on the topic.
Refreshments served.  Members free; Others $5.00
PLEASE MARK YOUR 2012 CALENDAR
Tuesday, 13 March 2012 7:30pm
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Members “Behind the Scenes” Tour
PROGRAM MEETINGS – SAVE THE DATES
Tuesday, 10 April 2012 (7:30pm)
Tuesday, 08 May 2012 (7:30pm)
Tuesday, 12 June 2012 (7:00pm)
1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
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Castor Family History in Frankford

Rick Castor wove a tapestry of the Castor family history in Frankford last night to the crowd at the Historical Society of Frankford.  Completing the circle started by his great grandfather, Horace Castor, he stood in the hall addressing a meeting of the HSF.  Horace was active in the Society for many years, as local history was among his many lifelong interests.

The history of the Castors is fascinating in several ways with each generation making a contribution.  There is far too much to go into in detail here but as some of the pictures below attest, invention and architecture were among them.  While Horace was a prominent architect during an age of rapid growth in Philadelphia.

Thomas was an innovator and inventor of an earlier generation.  Two interesting models were on display last night.  One is of a Frankford and Southwark street railway car where his innovation was to add an iron spiral staircase to allow passengers access to the upper level.  These were old horse cars that were converted to trailers on the new powered lines sometime after 1863.

Another of his inventions was what we would call a dump truck except back then they were used on horse carts delivering coal and other bulk materials.  He perfected the mechanism that made the dumping possible.

Ricks presentation would make a great documentary in its own right.  Next month another great program is scheduled at the HSF.   Rick Spector’s “MOVIEHOUSE” remembers this lost world of entertainment through a citywide tour of old theaters, including several in Frankford.

 

 

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Historical Society of Frankford 11/8/11

There will be a new program next week at the HSF that looks really interesting.  Another good one due in December.

Preserving and Presenting the History of Northeast Philadelphia since 1905
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF FRANKFORD
THE CENTER FOR NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA HISTORY

1507 Orthodox Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124
Tuesday, 08 November 2011  7:30pm
HORACE W. CASTOR
The Frankford Architect with the White Boutonnière
Richard Brent Castor
Learn of the life and accomplishments of Horace W. Castor, a Frankford-born, world-renowned architect as presented by his great, great grandson.  Ten generations of the Castor family just celebrated 275 years in America.  A special display has been mounted in the Exhibition Room to illustrate this presentation.
* * *
Coming up in December . . .
Tuesday, 13 December 2011  7:00pm (note earlier time)
WINTER HOLIDAY SOCIAL
“MOVIEHOUSE”
Few of the “jewel box” movie theaters that dotted Philadelphia exist.  Rick Spector’s  “MOVIEHOUSE” remembers this lost world of entertainment through a citywide tour of old theaters, including several in Frankford.  Join Society members, staff, and volunteers in this annual Holiday Social. Please bring light refreshments or desserts to share.
The monthly public meetings of the Historical Society of Frankford are held in its own Museum and Library, built in 1930. Enjoy the Society’s collections and exhibitions as you learn something new each month.  Following each program, light refreshments are served so participants and presenters can refresh and exchange ideas on the topic.
Refreshments served.  Members free; Others $5.00