The sit of the former Liddonfield Homes in Upper Holmesburg stands to be redeveloped. Image/Google Maps

Upper Holmesburg’s Liddonfield housing project has been torn down, but the site itself (bound by Megargee, Cottage and Tolbut streets and Torresdale Avenue) remains a source of controversy in the neighborhood as residents wait to see what springs up in its place.

This is an important week for two Northeast groups as they focus on the former public housing development’s past and future.

Tonight, the Northeast Philadelphia History Network will host speaker Rosemary Reeves [calendar item]. The former Liddonfield resident will discuss her time spent there and her effort to have a marker placed on the site — whatever it may become — to recognize the positive impact Liddonfield had on many of the people who lived there.

Regardless of the property’s past, the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association doesn’t want to see public housing take priority at Liddonfield in the future. Thursday is the last day Holmesburg and Torresdale residents can submit petitions in support of a redevelopment by Holy Family University. continue reading »

A historic building in the Northeast is now continuing its purpose centuries later.

The Lower Dublin Academy began as a one-room log cabin schoolhouse in 1723. The building developed from the will of Philadelphia’s own Thomas Holme who died in 1695. Holme was Pennsylvania’s first Surveyor General, working directly under William Penn. Before he died, he left specific instructions for his family.

“Holme gave four pounds towards the education of a child in the community,” said Fred Moore, president of the Friend of Lower Dublin Academy (Moore is also president of the Holmesburg Civic Association and is an active member of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network). “The will was not finalized until 1723 when his grandchildren decided they needed to take care of their grandfather’s wishes.” 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.

continue reading »

Bruce Conner, front, with (L to R) Frank Hollingsworth, Lou Iatarola, Sam Katz, Jack McCarthy, Nancy Morozin and Rev. Paul Andel at the screening of Katz's documentary on Jan. 18. Photo by Hillary Shemin.

Bruce Conner has passed away. The Northeast Philadelphia History Network, of which Bruce played a leading role, released the following statement a few minutes ago: continue reading »

Sam Katz. Photo by Hillary Shemin.

As part of the Northeast Philadelphia History Network‘s event last night at Holy Family University, former mayoral candidate Sam Katz was on hand with a preview of his documentary, Philadelphia: The Great Experiment.

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 »