The Historical Society of Frankford’s Debbie Klak discusses the history of Frankford’s war memorial. Image/The Frankford Gazette

The War Memorial at Wakeling and Large streets honors those who served in World War I.  It was dedicated on Nov. 11, 1922 during the same week as the opening of the new Frankford El.  Nov. 11 was at that time called Armistice Day in honor of the ending of hostilities of WWI.  It was later renamed Veterans Day.

The memorial lists the names of the 2,382 men and women who were from Frankford and served in the military during the war.  continue reading »

Plaques honoring the five new Hall of Fame members line a wall in Holy Family’s Education & Technology Center. Photo/Shannon McDonald

More than 200 people opted to spend a sunny Sunday indoors for what, for many, was an emotional Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

“The average Philadelphian probably doesn’t think of ‘Northeast Philadelphia’ and ‘history’ in the same sentence,” Hall of Fame project director Jack McCarthy said as he took the microphone inside Holy Family University’s Education and Technology Center.

Since 2009, that’s what the Hall of Fame ceremonies have aimed to do – get people thinking about the Northeast’s history and how its major players have impacted not just the region, but the city, and even beyond the country. Some of the 2012 inductees have had a global impact. continue reading »

Northwood Civic Association new 2012 board of directors, from L to R: President Joe Krause, member Gina Panchella, Vice President Frank Bennett, member Renee Hudson and member Lou Kubik. Not pictured: Treasurer Bill Rodebaugh.

New Northwood Civic Association board leadership was introduced Tuesday night, but a familiar voice took hold.

After a debate raged at last month’s meeting around the necessary quorum and other group charter rules surrounding the choosing of new board members, not a single vote was cast at the December meeting.

Instead, new civic president Joe Krause, formerly board vice president, said the board had largely remained the same, except for his promotion and a single new nomination. The group’s charter allows for board nominations to fill vacant seats, Krause said, so no vote was necessary.

Krause is replacing the outspoken and fiery Barry Howell, who retired from the board yet still grabbed the spotlight Tuesday, as he is known to do, by calling for an audit of the finances of the Historical Society of Frankford, something close to a neighborhood sacred cow.

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The Frankford Haunted History Tour stops at the Grand Army Republic Museum and Library. Photo submitted by the Frankford CDC

From the Frankford CDC:

Frankford is full of history, but did you know some of it is haunted?

Last Saturday, the Frankford Community Development Corporation, Historical Society of Frankford, St. Mark’s Church, South Jersey Ghost Research, the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and Library, and the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association organized a haunted history tour of Frankford. continue reading »

Bruce Conner helps lead a meeting of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network last March, when the group split from the Historical Society of Frankford.

Bruce Conner passed away last week following a car accident late last month. In the passage below, his friend and fellow historian, Jack McCarthy, remembers Bruce.

The Northeast Philadelphia history community suffered a major loss with the recent death of local historian Bruce Conner. Bruce had been in a coma following an auto accident in late February and died on March 9th. The accident occurred as he was driving home from one of the many local history meetings he regularly attended.

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Photo by Christopher Wink.

For the second year in a row, Northeast residents came together to reflect on history, celebrate progress and embrace the future.

The second annual Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame honored five new members yesterday at an induction ceremony at Holy Family University.

“It’s always a pleasure to reflect on individuals or groups — living or dead — who ebody the spirit of Northeast Philadelphia,” said Sr. Francesca Onley, president of Holy Family. continue reading »

Many thanks to our weekly sponsor, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame!

Now that you’ve nominated your choices for the Hall of Fame and the new inductees have been announced, it’s time to start thinking about the event.

Hall of Fame sponsors State Rep. Denny O’Brien, Holy Family University, Northeast Times and the Historical Society of Frankford will host the second annual induction ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. continue reading »

Northeast Philadelphia History Network members discuss ways to enhance the organization's meetings.

In keeping with the beginning of community meeting season, attendees at last night’s Northeast Philadelphia History Network meeting discussed ways to freshen up the network and carry it into the future.

The group, which in March, separated from the Historical Society of Frankford amidst Jack McCarthy’s resignation as archivist of the Frankford group, met in Rhawnhurst’s Pelbano Rec Center to share thoughts about where to take the NEPHN.

“[The network] is still defining itself,” said Lou Iatarola, who spearheads Tacony history research and serves with the Tacony Civic Association. “To me, it’s a very rewarding group on a number of levels.” continue reading »

Many thanks to our weekly sponsor, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame!

Now that you’ve nominated your choices for the Hall of Fame and the new inductees have been announced, it’s time to start thinking about the event.

Hall of Fame sponsors State Rep. Denny O’Brien, Holy Family University, Northeast Times and the Historical Society of Frankford will host the second annual induction ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. continue reading »

Many thanks to our weekly sponsor, the Northeast Philadelphia Hall of Fame!

Now that you’ve nominated your choices for the Hall of Fame and the new inductees have been announced, it’s time to start thinking about the event.

Hall of Fame sponsors State Rep. Denny O’Brien, Holy Family University, Northeast Times and the Historical Society of Frankford will host the second annual induction ceremony Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. continue reading »