Complete PAGP
Events Calendar





200 Years of Iron & Steel Celebration





Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration at Fonthill






Reenactmant of First Public Reading of Declaration of Independence





Faces and Facets of Philadelphia Book Event with Local Authors





Ghosts Among Our Graves





Famous Fishtowners





Cliveden Natural History Tour

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JULY 2010

Advocacy Alert
The Granary, 411 N. 20th Street, is Philadelphia's last standing grain elevator and a landmark of industrial reuse, having been successfully converted to offices and a residence by noted interior designer Kenneth Parker in 1980. A developer is seeking to add a twelve-story addition to the building, dwarfing the historic structure and significantly altering its character-defining roofline. The Alliance is joining with concerned neighbors to protect the historic integrity of this unique industrial icon, which is listed on both the Philadelphia and National Registers. To learn more click here.

SS United States Gets Reprieve
PlanPhilly.com reports that at tonight's National Flagship Celebration at the South Philadelphia IKEA, the SS United States Conservancy will formally announce that philanthropist H.F. ("Gerry") Lenfest has donated $5.8 million towards the maintenance and eventual purchase of the SS United States from Genting Hong Kong Ltd. The Conservancy has finalized an exclusive purchase option on the famous ocean liner, and full title transfer will occur once pending negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency are complete.

Independence Hall Tower Restoration Lecture
The Superintendent of Independence National Historical Park cordially invites Preservation Alliance members and friends to a presentation on Independence Hall Tower's history and upcoming restoration, given by Charles Tonetti, Chief Historical Architect, on July 12, 6pm, at the Independence Visitor Center, 6th and Market Streets. Reconstructed in 1828 by William Strickland, Independence Hall Tower is a critical element of the Independence Hall World Heritage site as both a landmark and focus of the park's interpretive themes. Starting July 12, the Tower will undergo a 14 month rehabilitation project which will include repointing and replacing damaged brick masonry, installing or replacing wood shingle roofing and flashings, and restoring and painting window sashes, doors and frames. The National Park Service awarded a $4,394,000 contract under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to Daniel J. Keating Company for this project. This lecture program is free, but seating is limited and advance registration is required, by July 9, to info@preservationalliance.com. More info on the restoration project here.

Visit us on Flickr!
The Alliance's Preserve Philadelphia campaign is now on Flickr, the popular photo website and online community. View our growing collection of user-submitted neighborhood landmarks and hidden gems, and add your own favorite Philadelphia buildings. Starting a Flickr account is fast, easy and free. Click here.


Martin Luther King "Freedom Now" Marker Dedicated
Mayor Michael Nutter and other dignitaries joined nearly 100 people who gathered at the intersection of 40th Street, Lancaster and Haverford Avenues to unveil a historical marker, memorial bust and public mural dedicated to slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King spoke to a crowd of 10,000 at the West Philadelphia site in August 1965 during his Freedom Now tour. The dedication ceremony held on June 19 included a live performance by the Unique Miracles Drill Team and words by State Senator Vincent J. Hughes. John Gallery of the Preservation Alliance joined State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown, City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission Board member Emanuel Kelly on the program. Sculptor Rebecca Rose, mural artist Cliff Eubanks and Jane Golden of the Mural Arts Program were recognized for their contributions along with local businesses and donors. HUB Coalition Inc. of West Philadelphia coordinated the two-year commemoration and the day's program. See more photos here.

See Philadelphia in a New Light on an Architectural Walking Tour
Explore a new neighborhood, or learn more about where you live by taking a Preservation Alliance Architectural Walking Tour! You can enjoy a leisurely Society Hill Stroll, trek through the gritty post-industrial landscape of Callowhill Street or explore Underground Philadelphia. July tours also include Art Deco, Sacred Sites of Old City, Around Washington Square, Littlest Streets East of Broad and many more. Tours run Saturdays at 10am and 2pm, Sundays at 2pm and Wednesdays at 6pm. Tickets are only $5 for Preservation Alliance members, $10 for the general public and $8 for students with ID. Reservations are not required. Click here for the complete July tour schedule.

Your Support is Needed for Advocacy Fund
Advocacy is at the heart of what the Preservation Alliance does, but this work can be costly. Most often advocacy expenses are legal fees, but sometimes include special studies or expert analysis and testimony. As we continue to face difficult advocacy issues, we are once again appealing to our members and friends for contributions to our Advocacy Fund. You should be receiving a letter shortly, or click here to donate today. Thank you for your support.

A Sense of Place: Preserving Philadelphia's Neighborhoods
Neighborhood organizations and leaders from throughout Philadelphia are invited to convene on October 8 for the Preservation Alliance's 2010 Citywide Conference for Philadelphia Neighborhood Leaders focusing on historic preservation in neighborhoods. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their understanding of the important role of preservation in neighborhood stabilization/revitalization, learn about successful examples from local communities and meet with representatives of the non-profit and governmental organizations that are playing an active role in these efforts. The conference will also feature the 2010 Neighborhood Preservation Project Grant Competition. Non-profit neighborhood organizations can win up to $1,500 to support a preservation-based project. Learn more and apply today!



Follow Alliance events and architectural walking tours on Facebook. Join the Preservation Alliance group, and become a fan of the Philadelphia Architectural Walking Tour page and let us know what's on your mind!