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East Falls Historical Society
Home
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  • Oral Histories
  • PHOTOS
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  • Chadwick Papers
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  • Home
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  • Events
  • Explore
    • Oral Histories
    • PHOTOS
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  • Home
  • About/Join
  • Events
  • Explore
    • Oral Histories
    • PHOTOS
    • Historic Sites
    • Chadwick Papers
    • Then and NOW
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    • Daisy Quilt

Oral Histories - Page 2

Click on any picture to see the interview.

CLICK HERE FOR PAGE 1

Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks

Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks

Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks

 Childhood memories of this couple include Gustine Lake, St. Bridget Church, Ace Riding Academy, Ridge Avenue. 

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Jean Rowland

Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks

Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks

  

Jean shares her impressions of arriving in East Falls from Scotland as a child, her memories of St. Bridget School and Rowland’s Market on Indian Queen Lane.

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Lee Snyder, Ph. D

Catherine (Kitty) and Joe Rocks

Lee Snyder, Ph. D

 Dr. Snyder, first Chairman of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at (what was then) Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, talks about his experiences at the College and life in East Falls. 

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Shirley Shronk

Philip Steinberg

Lee Snyder, Ph. D

Photo: Shirley with daughter Judy.

Married to a descendant of one of East Falls’ oldest families, the  Shronks, Shirley talks about childhood fun, Breck and Mifflin Schools, 4th of July, etc.</ 

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Joan Specter

Philip Steinberg

Philip Steinberg

 This interview focuses on Joan Specter’s years on City Council and her travels with husband Sen. Arlen Specter. 

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Philip Steinberg

Philip Steinberg

Philip Steinberg

Phil Steinberg, former president of the East Falls Community Council, talks about coming to East Falls in 1964, his role in the formation of the East Falls Historical Society, and his vision for the future of the community. 

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Emilio Straface Franks Pizza

Emilio and Sandy Straface

Emilio and Sandy Straface

Emilio and Sandy Straface

Emilio and sister Sandy talk about half-ball, Frank's Pizza (in the family since 1955), and more. 

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Dick Webb

David West

David West

 Dick Webb was interviewed at age 100. Though his memory and hearing loss affected the interview, Dick recollects Falls Presbyterian Church, working for Bucky Harris at Philadelphia College of Textiles,  and working for James Buckley, President of Philco, who resided on Netherfield Road. 

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David West

David West

David West

Engrossing memories of growing up on Queen Lane and Penn Street: stickball, polio scare, writing a neighborhood newspaper, WWII, John B, Kelly, Sr. 

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Anne Arfaa

David West

Anne Arfaa

Anne Arfaa grew up on Timber Lane in the house originally owned by John Wagner (1824 - 1902), whose son, Anne's great great uncle, founded the Wagner Free Institute. Anne shares memories of the Wagner family history, Ravenhill, and her Timber Lane neighbors.

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Sister Frances Joseph

Sister Frances Joseph

Sister Frances Joseph

 Former Principal of Ravenhill Academy, Sister Frances Joseph talks about her religious vocation in Japan, the Philippines, and Philadelphia, sharing stories of her family, her schooling, and her mission. 

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Tom Horne

Sister Frances Joseph

Sister Frances Joseph

Interviewed at the time of the closing of the Falls United Methodist Church, Tom reflects on what led to this, giving his insights into church activities and his reflections on growing up in East Falls. 

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Rose Welsh Whitty

Sister Frances Joseph

Rose Welsh Whitty

Born in East Falls, Rose gives a detailed account of working at 

Dobson Mills (above). She also describes her house on Sunnyside, St. Bridget School, and local stores. 

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Edna Woolley

Loretta McDermott (photo) and Ruth Camburn

Gerard Bernhardt

 Edna talks about “Methodist Row” on Sunnyside, being a homemaker,  and medical care – with details about Ms. Dunn, the local midwife.  Photo: Eastg Falls United Methodist Church.

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Gerard Bernhardt

Loretta McDermott (photo) and Ruth Camburn

Gerard Bernhardt

In six detailed interviews, Gerard Bernhardt, an East Falls optician, discusses his Army Basic Training, being wounded in France during WWII, living at four East Falls addresses while raising 11 children, and his involvement and impressions of the neighborhood throughout over five decades. 

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Loretta McDermott (photo) and Ruth Camburn

Loretta McDermott (photo) and Ruth Camburn

Loretta McDermott (photo) and Ruth Camburn

Loretta (b. 1923) and Ruth (b. 1928), lifetime Fallsers from Calumet Street, reminisce about their lives in the Falls - playing on the street, moving from Breck School to Mifflin, the Kellys, local stores, and their houses and churches (St. Bridget and Falls Methodist). 

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Gus Krebs

Mary Cote, MD

Mary Cote, MD

 Still living in a third-generation house on Stanton Street, Gus talks about playing in East Falls with his friends in the late 1940s – with some mischief involved, schooling at St. Bridget, and, later, volunteering for the church and the Franciscans.  

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Mary Cote, MD

Mary Cote, MD

Mary Cote, MD

 Mary Cote, M.D. (b. 1929) shares memories of her alma mater, Women’s Medical, as well as her years living at Carlton Park Apartments, attending Church of the Good Shepherd, and witnessing changes in East Falls in the 1960’s – ‘90’s. Her work at St. Christopher’s Kidney Transplant Program is also discussed.

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Anne Jenkins

Mary Cote, MD

Anne Jenkins

Interviewed at age 99, Anne spent her earliest years on upper West Coulter Street, then moved to the newly built Alden Park as a young child. Anne describes what Alden Park was like back then, and what children did there for amusement.

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More coming soon!

Tony DiStefano

More coming soon!

More coming soon!

 In this interview, Tony DiStefano, a lifetime Fallser, describes growing up at the “Lower End” of East Falls on Allegheny Avenue, with his memories of St. Bridget School and Church highlighted. 

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More coming soon!

More coming soon!

More coming soon!

Summary

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More coming soon!

More coming soon!

More coming soon!

Summary

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THE WAY WE WERE. . . .EAST FALLS MEMORIES

Holiday Traditions from Yesteryear

Holiday Traditions from Yesteryear

Holiday Traditions from Yesteryear

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Fashion in the Falls

Holiday Traditions from Yesteryear

Holiday Traditions from Yesteryear

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Courtship Customs

Holiday Traditions from Yesteryear

The Depression Years

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The Depression Years

The Depression Years

The Depression Years

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School Days

The Depression Years

The World of Work

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The World of Work

The Depression Years

The World of Work

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Weddings to Remember

Weddings to Remember

Weddings to Remember

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