Society Hill and Old CityIn the 18th century, Society Hill was home to wealthy merchants and many members of the federal government. In Old City, artisans and workmen lived and worked in small row houses like those on Elfrerth's Alley. As Philadelphia developed, it abandoned its Colonial center. Almost forgotten by 1900, Society Hill had become home to poor immigrants and its once gracious houses had become run-down tenements, shops, and warehouses. Yet, at the same time, Society Hill remained Philadelphia's banking and insurance center. Beginning in the 1960s, under the direction of city planner Edmund Bacon and the National Park Service, this neglected neighborhood was restored. Society Hill and Old City documents how these two neighborhoods looked in the early 1900s. The book's carefully researched narrative and vintage images tell the story of these historic neighborhoods. |
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American Arch architectural Bank became become Benjamin block Brothers building built Carpenters century Charles Peterson Collection Chestnut Street Christ Church close Colonial constructed Courtesy Charles Peterson Courtesy Independence National Curtis demolished demolition designed by architect doors east entrance Exchange façade Fifth fire floor Fourth Street Frank Franklin Front Front Street Furness's George Hall Hotel included Independence Mall Independence National Historical Insurance Company John Joseph later lived located looking Market Street merchants moved Museum Mutual National Bank National Historical Park neighboring North Old City oldest once opened original Penn Pennsylvania period Philadelphia photograph shows photograph was taken postcard published Quaker Railroad residence restored Robert seen shown side Sixth Smith Society Hill South southeast corner southwest Spruce Street Square stands stood structure style surrounded Thomas tower Trust Walnut Street warehouses Washington
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Page 34 - The Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire...
Page 47 - Klebansky sold the woodwork and fireplaces of the ballroom to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City bought the supper room's woodwork.
Page 98 - ... engraving and printing, which for the first time used multiple colors, this work at once became the rage of Edo. Encouraged by the enthusiastic reception of the color prints, the artist embarked upon a period of great activity during which he produced no less than 600 prints in 6 years, but his brilliant career was cut short when he died at the age of 45. The prints of Harunobu, which many Ukiyo-e collectors regard as the best ever made, are outstanding both for the beauty of their design and...
Page 76 - The Public Ledger Building, at the southwest corner of Sixth and Chestnut Streets, was built in 1868 and designed by John McArthur Jr.
Page 18 - The location was on the north side of Chestnut Street between Fourth and Fifth streets in Philadelphia. The lease was for three years and Knox was to pay for it "300 pounds yearly in lawful money of Pennsylvania.
Page 102 - Street is the home of Betsy Ross, who is credited with making the first American flag.
Page 104 - Streets, was the home of Rev. William Smith, the first provost of the University of Pennsylvania. The...
Page 106 - He went on to become the first bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and subsequently founded the Bethel Church.
Page 37 - Federal-style furniture and is owned and operated by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks.



