Philadelphia Architecture from 1700-1940 - Page 7

City Streets · #**121** Posted **Feb 11, 2009, 7:07 PM**

Thanks Swiney , .....Two questions . Is there a fee , and can
I bring my camera .
There was also suppose to be an open forum at 116 Market St .
at the fountain with regard to architecture in 19th. century Philly ,
but I think I missed that baby ........dam .

City Streets · #**122** Posted **Feb 12, 2009, 12:32 AM**

The Burholme Estate , now a library and museum , was built in 1859
by Joseph Waln Ryerss , an importer and president of the Tioga Rail
Road Company .

rdm · #**123** Posted **Feb 12, 2009, 12:50 AM**

i love this thread. excellent work everybody.

City Streets · #**124** Posted **Feb 13, 2009, 12:01 AM**

Could this be evidence that I don't get out much ?
I had no idea that this grand structure ( once a bank )
had become the lobby of the Ritz Carlton Hotel .

.........Got another pic , if I can find it , I'll bore you with it .

City Streets · #**125** Posted **Feb 13, 2009, 12:11 AM**

Simply put .......The Lobby .

mmikeyphilly · #**126** Posted **Feb 13, 2009, 4:53 PM**

I fell upon this website this morning. Maybe some of you know of it, or maybe not. It's a store that sells replica models of skyscrapers etc. Just found it interesting.
They have models of PNB Building, PSFS, City Hall, Market Street(National)Bank, Art Museum, just to name a few. It kept me amused for quite awhile.
Here it is: http://www.infocustech.com/iftstore/default.asp

Happy Friday the 13th!

Swinefeld · #**127** Posted **Feb 13, 2009, 6:13 PM**

Tomorrow. Union League. Free Admission.

Be there! No dress code (just wear something). 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. No word on wether you can take pictures but I'm pretty sure taking furniture is a no-no.

And....

Fairmount Mansions, A Celebration

A little something to brighten your day (I hope). Some pictures of the wonderful mansions, villas, cottages and one intriguing Japanese tea house. Playing off of bucks native's post a few days ago, here is a collection of pictures from the last several years. Enjoy.

Belmont Mansion (c. 1742-45)

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Sweet Briar (1797)
Samuel Beck's (1771-1862) Federal Style Sweetbriar on the west bank of Schuylkill is stuccoed with simple quoins. The house burned in 1875 while being used as a restaurant and the exterior has been much altered over the years. A portico probably embellished the front and a piazza spanned the east façade overlooking the 400-foot lawn that stretched down to the river.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Woodford (c. 1759, 1772)
The main façade of Woodford assumed the present Middle Georgian appearance after the addition of the second floor in 1772. The house has been used to exhibit the Naomi Wood Collection of early American fine and decorative arts since the 1930s. Woodford nearly went up in flames in 2003 when a careless painter using a heat gun started a fire under the eaves. Luckily it was quickly extinguished but it take almost two years to repair the damage.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Boelson Cottage (c. 1660)
aka Tom Moore's Cottage and Pig's Eye Cottage. Attempts at determining the exact age of the venerable cottage on the Schuylkill banks have not be successful. That it has been there for a very long time is all the can be said for certain.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Cedar Grove (c. 1748, 1799)
Cedar Grove, originally erected near the Frankford section of Northeast Philadelphia in the early 18th century, was moved stone-by-stone to its current location in Fairmount Park in 1928. It was the summer home to five generations of the same Quaker family, the Paschalls and the Morrises, who came to America at the time of William Penn. Lydia Thompson Morris was the last family owner.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Chamounix Mansion (1802)
In the heart of Philadelphia's Fairmount Park - historic Chamounix Mansion has welcomed overnight guests and groups for more than forty years. Originally built in 1802 as a country home, the mansion rests on a scenic bluff above the Schuylkill River and is convenient to Philadelphia's cultural and historic attractions, sporting events, and restaurants.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Japanese House (1958)
This charming house, serenely situated, was first on display in the garden of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Later it was transferred to the park and given its proper setting. It is a reconstruction of a 16th century Japanese scholar's house, teahouse, and garden. The garden is enhanced by a pool and waterfall. The teahouse is a quiet spot in the park, ideal for reflection.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Laurel Hill (c. 1767, 1800 and 1837)
The main façade of Laurel Hill reflects three building campaigns: the Middle Georgian central block erected c. 1767, the one story wing added c. 1800 and the octagonal two-story wing erected after 1837.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Lemon Hill (1800)
Successful businessman Henry Pratt commissioned Lemon Hill in 1799. Its federal simplicity is relieved on the north façade by a wide entrance with sidelights and fanlight. The second floor Palladian window is probably both old-fashioned and oversized. but from the inside it provides one of the most appealing features of the house. The double stair that ascends to the main floor is a successful creation of Fiske Kimball, who renovated the house in 1926.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Memorial Hall (1876)
Built for the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, Memorial Hall now serves as the home of the Please Touch Museum.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Latetia Penn Cottage (1714)
Mistakenly thought to have been built around 1683, the Cottage, when threatened by demolition, was saved by a group of preservationist. Led by John F. Watson, it was relocated, brick-by-brick, to its current location across from the Philadelphia Zoo in 1883.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Ohio House (1876)
Constructed for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, Ohio House is one of the few remaining buildings from that event still standing.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Ridgeland Mansion (before 1762)
Ridgeland, a vernacular farmhouse, constructed of Wissahickon schist, remains one of the oldest houses in Fairmount Park. In 1718 William Couch, a farmer, purchased the 25 acre lot of land; however, descriptions of this property that appeared in the Philadelphia Gazette in the mid 18th century indicate that Couch may not have constructed Ridgeland until sometime between 1752 and 1762.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Rockland (c. 1810)

Photo credit: Swinefeld

The Solitude (1784)
The most English of the villas on the Schuylkill, The Solitude was built by an Englishman, John Penn, "the poet", a grandson of William Penn, the founder. The Solitude is on the grounds of the Philadelphia Zoo which uses it as the Administrative office. Fortunately, most of its architectural details have been preserved.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Strawberry Mansion (1789, c. 1820s)
The five-bay center section of Strawberry Mansion is William Lewis's Summerville {1788-89), which incorporates an earlier farm house. The overwhelming wings were added by Joseph Hemphill (c. 1821-32), who greatly expanded the house to permit larger-scale entertaining.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

Ormiston Villa (1798)

Photo credit: Swinefeld

And my favorite, Mount Pleasant (1765)
The east front of Mount Pleasant demonstrates the symmetry, proportions and decorative vocabulary of Philadelphia architecture of the Middle Georgian Style. Master builder Thomas Sewell (1731-1797) designed and erected the house for the successful French and Indian War (1755-1763) privateer Captain John Macpherson.

Photo credit: Swinefeld

City Streets · #**128** Posted **Feb 13, 2009, 6:43 PM**

mmikeyphilly .......Yes entertaining . Some of those models are a
tad expensive.......but neat .

Swinefeld .....Good Lord man , you've been busy . Thanks for posting
and for tomorrows info .

I'll have to take the train , but I'll be there .

winxs · #**129** Posted **Feb 14, 2009, 6:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Streets

Simply put .......The Lobby .

CityStreets, you should check out the RitzCarlton lobby today while you are at the Union League. The lobby was renovated during the past two years and reopened last May. It's a bit gaudy but still cool. Unfortunately, the old cigar bar just inside the Penn Square entrance is no longer open, but the dining room inside the vault still is. Make sure you take a look up at the Rotunda. I was disappointed this past Christmas. They used to have a display of Gingerbread Houses in the lobby. I think it was part of a competition. They didn't this year.

PS: This used to be the home of the Girard Trust Co. (They were bought out by Mellon Bank of Pittsburgh back in 1983...Their ATMs were called "George" if any of you can remember that far back.)

City Streets · #**130** Posted **Feb 17, 2009, 10:28 PM**

I have just spent the better part of the last four days , locked in
a Barnes and Noble book store . Try as I might , I could not persuade
anyone to photo copy or provide knowledge as how to transfer some
of the vintage photographs that I found in a series of books about the
history of Philadelphia and surrounding cities and towns .

This information will come as no surprise to many but , the series of
books is put out by the ARCADIA Publishing Company.
Dozens , if not hundreds of historical topics covered in different sets
or titles of interest .

I found what I was looking for under a sub heading called the Post
card history series .... Center City Philadelphia , by Gus Spector .
128 pages of history and photos about Philly's past .

I found pictures of buildings built in different styles that were just
amazing . If anyone can post the shots of these fine structures , I
think it would be enjoyed by all that observe .......For instance , the
Race Street Recreation Pier , the Oak Hall Clothing store at sixth and
Market , which was the brainchild of John Wanamaker and Nathan
Brown . The Pennsylvania Railroad Ferry Terminal ( before BFBridge
was built ) . The five story U.S.Post Office that took up the entire
block between Ninth and Tenth and from Market to Chestnut sts.
Discovering that the Lit Brothers Building was the first built with a
cast iron facade .
Not to mention Gimbels , Strawbridge and Clothier , Snellenburghs
Department store at Eleventh and Market or F.W.Woolworths at 1020
Market ........and dozens of other great old buildings , up and down
Chestnut , Walnut , Broad and Dock St......Yep , Dock St .

So there you have it , and all you guys with the computer savy , this
is your homework assignment for the week .......make it happen .

Swinefeld · #**131** Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 1:50 AM**

^ Streets, did you make it to the Union League on Saturday?

I sure hope some of you got there. It was a great turnout. I believe they got about twice as many people at the club than they planned on. Great for Philly!

I saw williamphilapa and volguus zildrohar (s'up Steve-o?) there on Saturday. I took a slew of photos which I hope to post by tomorrow afternoon.

BTW, the tours and history lessons were great, if not a little noisy from the larger than expected turnout.

bryson662001 · #**132** Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 6:45 AM**

That's a great collection of "mostly colonial" buildings Swine, thanks.

hammersklavier · #**133** Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 2:10 PM**

Swiney, where's the Japanese House? That site looks really serene...

PhillyRising · #**134** Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 6:28 PM**

Great Job everyone!

In honor of the Phillies opening Spring Training...here are pictures of Philly's former baseball cathedrals courtesy of BallparksofBaseball.com

Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium

Baker Bowl

It was said that Phillies fans use to add the words "Cos They Stink" on this sign in the Baker Bowl when the Phillies were perennial 100 loss cellar dwellers.

Swinefeld · #**135** Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 7:05 PM**

The Union League, Philadelphia
Founded in 1862 as a patriotic society to support the Union and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, it laid the philosophical foundation of other Union Leagues across a nation torn by Civil War. The Union League has hosted U.S. presidents, heads of state, industrialists, entertainers and visiting dignitaries from around the globe. It has also given loyal support to the American military in each conflict since the Civil War, and continues to be driven by its founding motto, "Love of Country Leads."

- Unionleague.org

The Union League of Philadelphia was nice enough to throw open its WASPy arms to us commoners this past Saturday. OK, they didn't feed us (with food anyway) but there certainly was a buffet of knowledge handed out. The tour guides handled the overflow crowds as best they could directing the masses in and out of the masculine clubiness of each room and giving a full history behind the men honored in each. The Union League speaks to an exclusivity that is on the wane, but it's still nice to know that traditional meeting places such as this are still around, even if their doors are open to a relatively select few. Recently the League has been attempting to be more inclusive by admitting minorities, women and (gasp) even registered Democrats. Many a monocle was broken over that one. Oh well, old traditions die hard.

The Union League façade facing Broad Street.

Some of the statuary inside the Union League.

Statue of Columbia mourning the war dead. A wreath in each hand for the North and the South.

Bust of General George Gordon Meade (1815-1872).

Portrait of General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891).

Portrait of General Ambrose Everett Burnside (1824-1881)

Portrait of General St. Clair Augustine Mulholland (1839-1910)

Painting of President George Washington (1732-1799) painted in 1842.

Portrait of President William Howard Taft (1857-1930)

Portrait of President Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969)

Portrait of President George Herbert Walker Bush (1924- ).

Keep your shoes on, it's President George Walker Bush (1946- ).

And of course, President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

A bust of Lincoln below a painting depicting a fierce gun battle.

The Farragut Room, named after Admiral David Glasgow Farragut (1801-1870)

A signed (by Lincoln and others) original of the Emancipation Proclamation, one of 24 known to exist.

City Streets · #**136** Posted **Feb 18, 2009, 11:15 PM**

PhillyRising . Neat old shots of Connie Mack . Went to a few games
there just before the A's moved to KC .......No , I don't walk with a
cane . Was VERY young .

Swinefeld . Thanks for taking the pics , I wish I had . Just out of
curiosity , you have any idea who the two republicans are on either
side of the wall sconce in Pic # 13 ??

One of 24 signed originals of the Emancipation Proclamation at the
Union League Club.............WOW !

Swinefeld · #**137** Posted **Feb 19, 2009, 1:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by City Streets

Swinefeld . Thanks for taking the pics , I wish I had . Just out of
curiosity , you have any idea who the two republicans are on either
side of the wall sconce in Pic # 13 ??

I don't remember their names but they were once presidents of the League. That particular room was filled with portraits of former League presidents.

City Streets · #**138** Posted **Feb 19, 2009, 6:04 PM**

Acadmey of Music .

City Streets · #**139** Posted **Feb 20, 2009, 7:05 PM**

Post card print of Gimbel Brothers store 1913 .
Once the largest department store in the world .
Photo credit / art.com

hammersklavier · #**140** Posted **Feb 20, 2009, 9:15 PM**

Should never have been razed...