In order to see Philadelphia’s changes and similarities through time I looked up photos on Temple University Urban Archives that were at least 60 years old and then tried to recreate them as close to the original as possible. I chose to study mansions in the Fairmount area as they are an example of preserved history in our city.
Bellaire Manor is one of the earliest houses in the park. It was built between 1735 and 1750. It originally overlooked a 142-acre working farm. Now the house sits on a golf course. It's original owner was Samuel Preston, who served as a trustee of William Penn's estate and was the Provincial Treasurer.Location: J on MapFDR Park2000 Pattison AvenuePhiladelphia, PA 19145
This photograph of Bellaire Manor was taken on August 14, 1949 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010. The historic house and garden of the Bartrams, America's pioneering family of naturalists, horticulturist and explorers. John Bartram (1699-1777), a Quaker and the co-founder of the American Philosophical Society, built his 18th century home on a 45 acre site near the Schuylkill River.Location: B on Map54th St. and Lindbergh Blvd.Philadelphia, PA 19143
This photograph was taken on January 28, 1941 and was published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010.
This photograph was taken in 1922 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010.
Lemon Hill was built between 1799 and 1800 by Henry Pratt, a wealthy Philadelphia merchant. Before the home was built the land was owned by Robert Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.Location: D on MapWest Sedgley Drive & Lemon Hill DrPhiladelphia, PA 19130
This photograph was taken on April 17, 1933 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. 
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010.
This photograph was taken by R. Newell & Son in 1920 and was published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010.
Elizabeth Coates Paschall, a wealthy Quaker, built Cedar Grove in 1748. Five generations of her family lived there. Over 75 years ago it was moved stone by stone from the Frankford section of Philadelphia to its current location in Fairmont Park.
Location: C on map
West Fairmount Park
1 Cedar Grove Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19131
This photograph was taken William S. Coward on July 7, 1949 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. 
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010.
The Ohio House was built by the state of Ohio in 1876 at the Centennial Exhibition. Currently it is a working Cafe' and restaurant.Location: I on Map4700 States DrivePhiladelphia, PA 19131-3712
This photograph was taken by Pasquarella and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin around 1950. It shows the present occupant, Joseph M. Williams.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010. It shows Sam DiBernardo, who ate lunch at the current breakfast/lunch restaurant inside.Belmont Mansion was originally surrounded by a group of farms. It was William Peters who bought the property in 1742. He designed and built the Mansion and also created the gardens. Peters son, Richard Peters was the second to own the building. He was the Secretary of the Board of War for the Revolutionary Army and Pennsylvania Delegate to Congress under the Articles of Confederation. There were also many founding fathers who stayed at the mansion, including George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.Location: A on mapWest Fairmount Park2000 Belmont Mansion DrivePhiladelphia, PA 19131
This photograph was taken in 1930 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010. 
This photograph of Belmont Mansion was taken on July 31, 1949 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. .
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010.Woodford Mansion was built in 1756-58 by by William Coleman, a Philadelphia merchant and friend of Benjamin Franklin. Today the mansion is owned by the Fairmount Park Commission and operated by Naomi Wood Trust.Location: H on map33rd & Dauphin StreetsEast Fairmount ParkPhiladelphia, PA 19132
This photograph was published on June 11, 1925 in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 23, 2010. Sweetbriar Mansion
This Colonial mansion was built by Samuel Breck in 1797. Breck knew many leading figures of the time, including Marquis de Lafayette and Joseph Bonaparte (the brother of Napoleon). He occupied the building until 1838. It undertook a restoration by the Junior League of Philadelphia.
Location: G on map
1 Sweetbriar Drive Philadelphia, PA 19131
This photograph of Sweetbriar mansion was taken before it was renovated in 1928. It was published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin. 
This photograph was taken on January 22, 2010.
This photograph was taken on December 7, 1928. It was published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
This photograph was taken on January 22, 2010.
This house was built in 1789 and was expanded in the 1820's with additions. Today it is known as the largest of the Fairmont Park historic houses. Judge William Lewis was the builder and original occupant of the home which he called "Summerville."Location: F on mapEast Fairmount Park2450 Strawberry Mansion Bridge DrivePhiladelphia, PA 19132
This photograph was taken in early 1930 before the building was remodeled in the fall of 1930. It was published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Strawberry Mansion on January 22, 2010. As you can see the Ice Cream sign has been removed.
This photograph was taken in 1949 and published in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Strawberry Mansion on January 22, 2010. After the remodeling not much has been altered.
Mount Pleasant Mansion
Scottish sea captain and patriot, John McPherson, built Mount Pleasant over 225 years ago. Some of the owners of this building include Benedict Arnold, Ben Franklin’s great nephew and the first superintendent of West Point. At one time it was a dairy, which provided fresh milk and ice cream to the city.
Location: E on map
East Fairmount Park
3800 Mount Pleasant Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19121
This photograph was published July 17, 1949 in the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin.
Mount Pleasant Mansion on January 22, 2010.
No comments:
Post a Comment