Noted American Revolution historian Dr. Robert Selig highlighted an event last night at the Historical Society of Frankford celebrating this year's designation of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route a National Historic Trail.

Ralph D. Nelson almost forgot his tri-cornered hat.

But just before he took the podium, the long, tall, graying Delaware-based historian placed the 18th-century-style cap on his head.

For years, Nelson has been among dozens of Revolutionary War buffs calling for greater acclaim for a 685-mile route along the East Coast that many say helped lead the colonies from fledgling collective to global superpower. See a map here.

Back in March, Nelson got his wish when President Obama signed into law a public management act that made the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route — nicknamed W3R — a National Historic Trail.

Tuesday night was just gravy.

More than 60 attended an event held last night at the Historical Society of Frankford on Orthodox Street, just blocks from where the W3R trail winds through Northeast Philadelphia, by way of Frankford Avenue. The night was highlighted by a short lecture from noted American Revolution historian Dr. Robert Selig.

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The Devon Theater in Mayfair has seen a renaissance. It reopens this Friday.

By Christopher Wink

The Devon hasn’t gotten this much attention in generations. Perhaps neither has Mayfair.

But now that the Frankford Avenue institution has made the long transition back to prominence, opening this weekend as the Devon Center for Performing Arts. It will mark another measure in the long transition from 1946 first-run movie theater to adult-film movieplex in the 1970s to second-run theater and to abandoned eyesore.

After a gala and private screening on Friday, with a possible appearance by Mayor Michael Nutter, the Devon opens on Saturday with a sold-out performance of Nunsense, a musical comedy.

“We’re in an Irish-Catholic neighborhood,” said Michael Pickering, the Devon’s artistic director. “Nunsense was a no-brainer.”

But don’t be fooled by the Devon’s location, far from the glitz of Center City’s Avenue of the Arts or the established arts scene of Old City. The Northeast is about to get its first professional performing arts center, by way of a decidedly working-class neighborhood.

The Devon is an all-union house, including its paid, professional actors, some from Philadelphia’s growing dramatic community. Still, its long-term strategy for success in the Northeast is heavy on community.

Read more, see video and other photos after the jump.

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