Welcome to our website!
Click here to explore it.
We Thank our Sponsors!
Click here to see who they are.
February 25 at 7 p.m.:
EFHS Winter Zoom to host lecture about creators of local suburbia
What does Queen Lane Manor – the section of East Falls above Henry Avenue–have in common with Overbrook Farms, Pelham in Germantown, and suburban Wayne ? All began as and remain attractive neighborhoods of handsome houses along tree-lined streets, with train service to downtown Philadelphia.
All of these communities were planned as elite places to live in something like the country. Advertisements touted the clean air, good water, and even freedom from disease. The planning for Overbrook Farms, Pelham, Wayne, and Queen Lane Manor was done by a team of developers and builders known as Wendell and Smith. On Wednesday, February 25, at 7:00 pm, the East Falls Historical Society for its annual “Winter Zoom” will welcome architectural historian Greg Prichard, Historic Preservation Planner for Lower Merion Township. He will speak on “Wendell & Smith: Pioneering Planners of Suburban Philadelphia.” Emphasis will be on the early communities, more than on Queen Lane Manor, but the topic should be a interest to anyone interested in the development of the Philadelphia region. The Zoom link will be sent to members, and will appear on our website, eastfallshistoricalsociety.org, on February 23. Questions about this free program may be directed to eastfallshistory@gmail.com
Disappointing news for historical preservation in East Falls
East Falls Historical Society was unsuccessful in its effort to forestall a permit to demolish the architecturally and historically significant home at 4030 Apalogen Road, a remarkable enclave of Midcentury Modern architecture. This home was designed by the first female licensed architect to practice in Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Fleischer, and she lived in that home for many years with her husband Horace Fleischer. The nomination was deemed to have fulfilled three criteria for placement on the Philadelphia Register by the voting commissioners, but they declined to list it, not wishing to interfere with the new owners’ plan to demolish the house and build a new one. To see the nomination we submitted, click here.
East Falls Historical Society has recorded more than 60 oral histories! Here are the latest:
The first mayor and first governor to hail from East Falls, Ed Rendell recalls his almost 50 years in East Falls — his impressions of the neighborhood, walking his dog, what he thinks of local eateries, and of course highlights of his career.
Head of School at Penn Charter from 1976 – 2007, Dr. Earl Ball discusses his challenges, achievements, and memories of his years there.
Franz Ostertag, a lifelong Fallser, talks about growing up on Calumet Street, attending school and church at St. Bridget, and working at McDevitt Recreation Center.
Chadwick Papers Index online!
Adapted from The Chadwick Papers Index by Katy Hineline, 1991. Click here to open in a new tab.
Visit the Grace Kelly Gallery at NewCourtland!
Click here for details
